Myriad of displays honors nation’s history

By Jessica Breger Special to the Monett Monthly

The Monett Historical Society and Museum is focusing its displays on a wider community than the city this summer. 

While displays usually focus solely on Monett and southern Missouri history, the museum has set up multiple displays on its first floor to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary for the summer months. 

As patrons enter the museum this month, they are greeted by buttons and propaganda items used in past elections including both jokes and serious rhetoric. 

Patrons can explore tools used in the past by presidential candidates during their campaigns, gaining a sense of history and common humor of past decades in our country’s politics.

Coin displays bring a more sentimental tone to the anniversary. With several displays featuring presidents and key figures in America’s history, patrons get a sense of who has shaped the nation over its 250 years. 

Walking further into the museum, patrons will see several flag displays with local and non-local art featuring different variations of the nation’s flag accompanied by the history each flag represents. 

The prominent display sits amongst the museum’s permanent display of military history and memorabilia driving home the reminder that the nation’s freedom has not come free. 

The display sits among those such as the display in honor of local Vietnam Airman Captain Thomas Wolfe who the local VFW Post 4207 is named after. Wolfe was shot down in his A-26 aircraft near the Ho Chi Minh Trail in the mountains of Laos. Wolfe was merely 28 years old when he went missing on June 28, 1966.

The room also houses displays showing the role other local men and women have played in our nation’s armed forces and historic moments.

Other permanent displays teach patrons about the role the city played in politics with a section devoted to Monett’s role as a whistle stop for multiple presidents and candidates. 

Guests are encouraged to explore both the nation’s 250 year history as well as the part Monett played in that history over the city’s 139 years. 

Local residents are also encouraged to join the Monett Historical society or simply attend membership meeting to learn more about local history. 

Monthly membership meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7 pm at the Museum. 

The Museum is open five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.