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104 N. MAIN ST. ✦ LIBERTY, MO 64068 Publisher: Sandy Nelson Editor: Amy Neal Editorial Contributors: Thom Hanrahan, Kellie Houx, Amanda Lubinski, Sean Roberts Explore Liberty is published by the Courier-Tribune in partnership with The City of
Table of Contents
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR ........................................................................................... 4 CIVIC INFORMATION ........................................................................................................ 5 LIBERTY WELCOME CENTER ............................................................................................. 5 EXPLORE DOWNTOWN ART ON FOOT ................................................................................ 6 ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE ................................................................................. 8 ON WITH THE SHOW! ....................................................................................................13 CALENDAR OF EVENTS ..................................................................................................14 LIBERTY DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES REVEALING GEMS .................................................16 BUSINESS DIRECTORY .................................................................................................18 LIBERTY AREA MAP........................................................................................................20 PARKS & RECREATION ..................................................................................................22 GAME ON! CRICKET PLANTS FLAG AT STOCKSDALE PARK ..............................................27 HOMETOWN PRIDE: PUBLIC CAMPAIGN BUILDS STADIUMS ...........................................28 EDUCATION ...................................................................................................................29 STRONG FOUNDATIONS: HISTORIC DISTRICTS AND LANDMARKS ...................................32 PRESERVING THE PAST: CLAY COUNTY MUSEUM ............................................................34 HISTORY & HERITAGE ....................................................................................................36 ON THE COVER: JOHN GANO MEMORIAL CHAPEL AT WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE
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A message from the mayor
Liberty is a
from May through October, the tours are led by a variety of volunteers and local experts. Featuring a different topic each month, they are a favorite among history and architecture enthusiasts across the metropolitan area. There are also an abundance of recreational and cultural activities f you haven’t been to Liberty in a 2018 with state-of-the-art movie viewing planned throughout the year. There is while, you will be astonished by the and plush seating that is unrivaled in the always something going on at the Liberty transformation, and if you have visited region. recently, you will be surprised at what is Opportunities to stay in Liberty overnight Community Center, Fountain Bluff Sports new since you were last here. or longer are expanding with the recent Complex and at the many gymnasiums, Liberty Commons, opening of a Marriott TownePlace Suites parks and trails around town. The Corbin an $80 million, and anticipated additions of three more Theatre, Symphony Orchestra, Community 300,000-plus square hotels including a Best Western Premier, Chorus and the fine arts and athletic foot shopping district Hilton and Microtel. departments of William Jewell College and with 20 stores and Historic Downtown Liberty is surrounded Liberty Public Schools all provide enjoyable restaurants opened in by a multitude of well-preserved homes and worthwhile events at a very reasonable 2017. The city recently and landmarks. With an array of cost. completed a $5 million boutiques, specialty stores and locally Education and health care are proud investment in the owned restaurants, downtown Liberty is hallmarks of the Liberty community as historic downtown recognized as one of the National Trust well. The Liberty Public School District is area, upgrading the infrastructure and for Historic Preservation’s accredited Main the second fastest growing school district revitalizing the streetscape, making it more Street Communities, one of only seven in pedestrian friendly, all while being sensitive Missouri. The atmosphere is friendly, casual in the state, recognized among the top to the historic atmosphere. and nostalgic — a perfect place to relax and “high performing” districts in the State of Missouri. William Jewell College is The City of Liberty was founded in 1822 explore at your own pace. an NCAA Division II liberal arts college and is the second oldest incorporated town Mark your calendar this year for a visit regularly honored by national publications west of the Mississippi River. Dedicated to Liberty. The City of Liberty, Liberty to blending new and old, Liberty is Area Chamber of Commerce and Historic such as U.S. News & World Report and complemented by the vibrancy of national Downtown Liberty Inc. host a yearlong Forbes. Well-regarded Liberty Hospital is a retailers, independent merchant shops, calendar of fun, family-friendly events. state-of-the-art regional hospital covering all museums, historic sites and a variety of Come visit the historic Jesse James Bank medical specialties. restaurants. Museum; snap a photo in front of the new Liberty is truly a destination and no Looking for a place to spend an 1,000-plus square foot mural that will be longer just another “drive by” city. If you’re afternoon, a day or a weekend? There unveiled this spring at the corner of Kansas planning a visit, a staycation or just want are a wide variety of places to satisfy and Water streets; or shop at the Historic to entertain friends, visit our new tourism your appetite. A bounty of shopping Downtown Liberty Farmers Market every website at VisitLibertyMo.com, your one stop for opportunities, from boutiques to regional Saturday, May through September. events, restaurants and fun things to do for and national chain stores, will exhaust even History buffs will enjoy the free walking kids and adults. the most dedicated shoppers. B&B Theatres tours highlighting Liberty’s historic Whatever experience you are looking will open a new 12-screen location in spring features. Offered on the first Saturday for, stopping by for a few hours, visiting for a day or putting down roots in one of our new single family, multi-family or senior citizen residential developments around the city, you’re sure to find it in Liberty. I encourage to, make Liberty YOUR Destination and Explore Liberty! Proudly, The Historic Downtown Liberty Inc. office at 117B N. Main St. has materials that are often needed by tourists visiting the city of Liberty and downtown. Mayor Lyndell Brenton
Destination! I
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Civic Information CITY OF LIBERTY
With a population of more than 30,000, the city of Liberty is governed by an elected mayor and eight-member City Council, which generally meets at 7 p.m. Mondays at City Hall. The city website — www.libertymissouri.gov — is a wealth of resources about city activities, resources and services.
City Hall 101 E. Kansas St. Liberty, MO 64068 www.libertymissouri.gov
County Clerk..................................816-407-3570 County Collector........................... 816-407-3200 County Commission..................... 816-407-3600 County Recorder of Deeds.......... 816-407-3550 County Sheriff...............................816-407-3750 County Treasurer.......................... 816-407-3540 Citizen Services............................ 816-407-3650 Election Board..................816-415-VOTE (8683) Health Department......................816-595-4200 Highway........................................ 816-407-3300 Historic Sites................................ 816-736-8500 Medical Examiner........................ 816-881-6600 Midwest National Air Center....... 816-407-3390 Parks............................................. 816-407-3400 Planning and Zoning.................... 816-407-3380 Prosecutor.................................... 816-736-8300 7th Judicial Circuit Court............. 816-407-3900 Tourism......................................... 816-407-3659
Main Number...............................816-439-4400 Administration..............................816-439-4413 Animal Control & Shelter............ 816-439-4791 Building Inspections....................816-439-4541 Business & Liquor Licenses........ 816-439-4417 City Tax Bills................................. 816-407-3200 The center, at 800 Haines Drive in Code Enforcement.......................816-439-4539 Liberty, provides family health services; Community Center.......................816-439-4360 Fire Dept., Non-Emergency.........816-439-4310 Fountain Bluff Sports Complex...816-439-4390 Historic Preservation....................816-439-4537 Meals on Wheels.........................816-439-4396 Municipal Court Clerk..................816-439-4430 Liberty Silver Center.....................816-439-4395 Parks & Recreation......................816-439-4360 Performing Arts Theatre..............816-439-4373 Planning & Zoning........................816-439-4543 Police, Non-Emergency................ 816-439-4716 Public Works/Engineering...........816-439-4500 Public Works/Maintenance.........816-439-4514 Sewer/Water Utility Billing..........816-439-4460 Trash & Recycling.........................816-439-4514
CLAY COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER
personal health services; environmental health services; records; and community development services. For more information, visit www.clayhealth.com.
LIBERTY HOSPITAL
Liberty Hospital opened its doors to patients in February 1974. It has grown to a state-of-the-art 226-bed care center with more than 330 physicians covering all medical specialties with affiliate clinics throughout the greater Liberty community. The comprehensive medical center at 2525 Glenn Hendren Drive provides a full range of services, the latest technology and a compassionate staff focused on providing exceptional care for all ages and stages of life. For more information about Liberty Hospital and its services, call 781-7200 or visit www.libertyhospital.org.
CLAY COUNTY
Liberty is the county seat for Clay County. Home to 230,000-plus residents, Clay County is one of the largest counties in the state.
Administration Building 1 Courthouse Square Liberty, MO 64068 816-407-3600 www.claycountymo.gov County Administrator................... 816-407-3620 County Assessor.......................... 816-407-3500 County Auditor............................. 816-407-3590 75099286
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Stop 1: Mill & Gallatin streets
Stop 2: Mill & Lightburne streets
With this year’s addition of the China Slaughter sculpture in the reading park bearing the same name, located at the corner of Mill and Gallatin streets, a significant walking tour of public art can be found around the historic Liberty Square.
Let’s start with the China Slaughter Reading Park. The sculpture of Slaughter and two children is set to be unveiled and dedicated on April 26. The bronze sculpture, by artist Martha Aldridge, features an approximately life-sized figure of Slaughter in his crossing guard gear, chatting with two children. Slaughter is known for the 32 years he spent as a crossing guard under a special commission from the Liberty Police Department. In this role, he protected the children of Franklin Elementary School as they crossed Mill Street going to and from school each day. For 47 years he served local school children as an employee of Liberty Public Schools, first as custodian of Garrison School, and ultimately as Supervisor of Custodians for the entire school district. He was a graduate of Continental College of Brazil, Indiana, held a teaching degree and certificate in Missouri, was a Master Custodian and taught for the state of Missouri.
Head east on Mill to the first installment of the Great Americans sculpture program in Liberty — a statue of George Washington at the corner of Mill and Lightburne streets. The statue was unveiled in June 2013.
Stop 3
Cross the street and head toward the detention center and James Rooney Justice Center. On the exterior of these buildings are several murals of noteworthy people who either lived in Liberty or passed through the community such as explorers Meriwether Lewis and Lewis Clark.
Stop 4
Next, head north on Missouri Street and then turn into Liberty City Hall. The first floor includes an atrium art gallery that is part of the Liberty Arts Commission’s rotating gallery spaces. Along with the art, take a look into the council chambers to see “Liberty, the Heritage Years,” painted in 1983 by artist Eric Bransby. “There’s so much history in Liberty. I knew I couldn’t write a book on the wall, but I did my best to take a look at what makes Liberty Liberty. There’s the use of the river as a highway for goods and people. There’s (William Jewell College). I had worked at Brigham Young University, so I was familiar with Joseph Smith spending time in jail here. I also included a 19th century family. I also have the coming of the railroad and Jesse James,” he said on a visit to town two years ago.
Explore downtown art on foot
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Stop 4: Kansas & Water streets
Stop 2
By Kellie Houx
Stop 1
Stop 3: Mill & Water streets
Stop 5: Kansas and Missouri
Stop 6: Franklin and Leonard
Stop 5
Coming out of Liberty City Hall, head a block north to the intersection of Kansas and Missouri streets for one of the Great Americans Project statues, a life-size bronze sculpture of Mark Twain, that was unveiled in June 2016.
Stop 6
Head up one block north to the Clay County Archives, in the 200 block of Franklin Street, for the first installment of the Liberty Arts Commission’s sculpture program. The first piece, “Plumb Twisted” by Jacob Burmood, will remain on view through mid-July.
Stop 8: 1 Courthouse Square
Indian, and fur trader Pierre Chouteau. The middle section depicts Henry Routt leading the 1861 raid on the Liberty Arsenal. The right side of the mural shows the James Farm in 1875. Head back down Main Street toward Another 8-foot by 6-foot mural the Clay County Administration honors 19th and 20th century AfricanBuilding. During business hours, visit American pioneers. the third floor to view two murals. The Also standing vigil on the third floor 28-foot by 8-foot mural painted by is the 8-foot wooden “Statue of Justice.” Liberty native David McLain depicts This relic of Liberty’s past stood atop Clay County history, including Mahthe second Clay County Courthouse hos-kah “Chief White Cloud,” an Ioway from 1859 to 1943. focuses on integration and depicts children of all races reading, researching, playing and walking to school.
Stop 8
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Head west on Franklin until the road intersects with Water Street. Turn north on Water and head less than half a mile to the Garrison School Cultural Center at 502 N. Water St. If the building is open, there are art gallery spaces inside. On the grounds outside, find the Bottle Tree, created by Liberty resident Robert Evans. This 800-pound steel sculpture was unveiled in 2013. On the sides of the building, find two murals. The mural on the Water Street side features the history of education for African Americans in Liberty. “Stony the Road We Trod” is the work of Rodney “Lucky” Easterwood. On the Main Street side of the building is “Sing A Song Full of the Hope That the Present Has Brought Us.” By Kansas City artist Dan Vanderhoof, the piece
Stop 7: 502 N. Water St.
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Arts, Entertainment & Culture Community Center. The commission is also the orgaThe Liberty Arts Commission con- nizing group that promotes Make tinues its efforts to raise the artistic Music Liberty on the summer solprofile within the city. Almost a stice, June 21. This year marks the dozen years ago, Liberty took steps to third annual event featuring soloists, propel the arts forward and created duets, bands and more. The growing the Liberty Arts effort creates a communitywide uniCommission. The fication in a love of music. organization’s A subcommittee of the commission goal is to serve recently selected artist John Soukup as a catalyst — to to create a mural to cover the temsupport, sustain porary wall around site of the former and strengthen Bedinger Building, which collapsed a the community couple years ago during renovations. by increasing The 170-linear feet of art is expected awareness, opporto be unveiled on April 27. tunities and pubThe arts commission also mainlic involvement tains an arts calendar of events on in local arts and the city’s website. cultural activities. “Public art is reflective of a city,” A few years Stilfield said. “It is how the city ago, city voters expresses itself. The Great American passed a guest tax, and through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the generated funds, the comTemporary art exhibit at City Hall mission has been able to give out art grants. In the past year, the grants have brought in an Indian dancer and aided the local efforts of the Artisan Market, where artists work in studio, and Corbin Kids Company, a Open daily from 9 - 9 children’s theater organization, said Chairman Bill Stilfield. The arts commission is active in Come experience a piece of early the community, planning public art history at the Liberty Jail.You’ll see displays. Currently, there are three a true-to-life-size reconstruction of exhibit spaces in the community the original 1833 jail as you witness that are used for displays of mainly two-dimensional art: Liberty City an engaging audio-visual presentation
LIBERTY ARTS COMMISSION
series is the city’s way of expressing our patriotism. Art is a cultural expression of the city itself. Art distinguishes a city. It’s great to be in a city that values art.” For information about local artist news and exhibits, sign up for notifications through the Liberty Arts News Flash on the city website, libertymissouri.gov.
LIBERTY ARTS FOUNDATION
The Liberty Arts Foundation is a separate nonprofit charitable organization created in 2011 and committed to supporting all art-related endeavors that benefit Liberty residents. As funding becomes available through private donations and grants, the foundation supports the projects of the Arts Commission, Liberty Symphony, Community Chorus, Corbin Theatre, and other arts-focused
HISTORIC LIBERTY JAIL FREE TOURS PUBLIC WELCOME
Hall, 101 E. Kansas St.; Liberty branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library, 1000 Kent St.; and Liberty Community Center, 1600 S. Withers Road. Many of the exhibits feature local artists or artists connected to the city. Coming soon will be “Wall of Respect” from the Jewish
and learn about significant happenings that took place in the jail. 216 North Main Street, Liberty, MO 64068-1629
816-781-3188
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Explore Liberty ✦ March 2018
Arts, Entertainment & Culture organizations and individuals. One of the biggest projects spearheaded by the foundation is the creation of the China Slaughter Reading Park. In the late fall of 2016, the commission chose artist Martha Aldridge, a retired teacher from Clinton, Missouri, who presented a maquette of Slaughter with two young students. Slaughter was a beloved school crossing guard for more than three decades. He also was a custodial supervisor for the local school district. In late April, the Liberty Arts Foundation, Liberty Public School Foundation, Aldrige and Clay County African American Legacy plan to unveil the park and sculpture to Lawrence Slaughter and the children of Liberty. The bronze sculptures will sit on a polished black granite slab atop a 24-inch tall concrete riser.
information, visit libertymissouri.gov/37/ Liberty-Performing-Arts-Theatre.
SUMMER BAND
The Liberty Summer Band, which is an all-volunteer group of approximately 80 musicians, annually performs three free concerts during the month of June plus a performance in conjunction with the Liberty4thFest, the community’s Fourth of July celebration. The June concerts are usually scheduled on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. in front of the James S. Rooney Justice Center, 11 S. Water St. Concertgoers should bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. In case of rain, concerts are held at the Liberty Performing Arts Theatre, 1600 S. Withers Road. To check out concert dates and times, visit mo-liberty.civicplus.com/1500/Liberty-Summer-Band.
Liberty4thFest
LIBERTY4THFEST Liberty4thFest celebrates Independence Day each year with food, fun and fireworks at Fountain Bluff Sports Complex. The city of Liberty, the Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce and other supporting partners make this event possible. For more information, visit www.liberty4thfest.com.
LIBERTY PERFORMING ARTS THEATRE
The 700-seat Liberty Performing Arts Theatre hosts a plethora of events produced by the Liberty Symphony Orchestra, Corbin Theatre Company, Liberty Public Schools, Natural Build Fitness, dance studios, and other local and national organizations. The theater recently had several upgrades to lighting and sound, which has added to its marketability. The LPAT now offers open band rehearsals, which provide time and space for progressive ensembles to rehearse in a professional environment and also be heard by an audience — with no required charge to either players or listeners. Located inside the Liberty Community Center at 1600 S. Withers Road, the LPAT offers excellent acoustics, is one of the largest stages in the area, and is the only professional live performance venue in the Kansas City Northland. To see what’s happening at the theater or to check out rental
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Arts, Entertainment & Culture FALL FESTIVAL
Held on the fourth full weekend in September — this year Sept. 28 to 30 — the Liberty Fall Festival brings about 200 vendors, carnival rides, a parade, local entertainment and much more to historic downtown Liberty. This year marks the 42nd annual event. Festivalgoers can get their fill of giant turkey legs, footlong corndogs, homemade root beer and funnel cakes, all while perusing vendors selling anything and everything. The Historic Downtown Liberty Farmers’ Market rounds out the festivities with its beautiful displays of fall pumpkins, mums and veggies for sale. The event, organized by the Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce, traces its roots back to 1934 with ties to 4-H in Clay County and homecoming activities at William Jewell College. Visit www.libertyfallfest.com for more information.
at adults, the Corbin Kids Company is a summer program for school-aged theater enthusiasts. These young actors will present “Annie” June 29 and 30. To contact the theater, call 529-4988 or email info@corbintheatre.org. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.corbintheatre.org.
GARRISON SCHOOL CULTURAL CENTER
In the past few years, the former Garrison School site has become an active cultural center for the visual and performing arts. The center contains a gallery space for historic objects as well as an art gallery at 502 N. Water St. The Bottle Tree outside the building is an 800-pound steel sculpture created by Robert Evans. According to tradition, the Bakongo people of the African Congo thought glass
bottles would capture evil spirits. Africans of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade brought this lore and artwork to the Americas. The trees would trap roaming evil spirits after dusk, which then would be vaporized in the heat of the morning light. The center just added two murals to its eastern and southern exterior building walls. “Sing A Song Full of the Hope That the Present Has Brought Us” is on the Main Street side. By Kansas City artist Dan Vanderhoof, the piece focuses on integration and depicts children of all races reading, researching, playing and walking to school. Vanderhoof is a Kansas Citybased artist who apprenticed with Mark English, a noted painter and illustrator. The mural on the Water Street side of the building features the history
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CORBIN THEATRE
The Corbin Theatre Company, located downtown at 15 N. Water St., is Liberty’s official community theater. The theater features numerous theatrical performances throughout the year, as well as regular live jazz nights, usually on the first Monday evening of the month, and other events. “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” will be staged May 18, 19, 25 and 26. Along with the theater aimed more
July 3
September 28 - 30
816.781.5200 libertychamber.com 1170 W. Kansas Street, Ste. H Liberty, MO 64068 75098224
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Explore Liberty ✦ March 2018
Arts, Entertainment & Culture of education for African Americans in Liberty with images of the Laura Armstrong School, which was the first school for African Americans in 1865, located on Mill Street; former Garrison teachers Marion Pearley, Angie Kerford; former principals James Gay and Clarence Gantt; Clara Bell Colley’s 1954 third-grade class; and an image of Linda Brown and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall that focuses on the landmark case Brown vs. Board of Education, Topeka that ended segregation in schools across the country. The theme of the mural is “Stony The Road We Trod� and it tells the story from segregation to integration. For more details, visit ccaal-garrisonschool.org.
LIBERTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
For more than four decades, the Liberty Symphony Orchestra has presented the best in classical and pop music, and featured local musicians and composers. The symphony presents a series of four regular concerts annually and an educational concert for area youth at the Liberty Performing Arts Theatre. The symphony added a free community concert at the Woodneath Library Center recently and through a grant from the Arts Commission, the group plans on adding a couple more free concerts in the community. For concert dates and ticket information, visit www.libertysymphony.org.
nonprofit chorus is funded through member dues, ticket sales and donor support. For more information, visit www.libertycommunitychorus.org.
COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC
The Lydia Lovan Community School of Music has offered private music lessons to students of all ages in the community for more than 40 years. Instructors have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in music, and most have graduate degrees in music. William Jewell College student teachers who are on their way to earning their music degree are approved to teach for the program by the college faculty. During the school year, recitals are offered monthly and are open to program participants. To learn more, visit www.jewell.edu/community-school-of-music.
cownose rays and small bamboo sharks. The plan is to have it open May 1. Annually, the Kansas City Zoological Tax District raises about $13 million and because of this, the zoo has offered benefits to the two In 2011, voters in Clay and Jackson counties including free or reduced counties approved a one-eighth-cent admission days. Educational opportunities for children are among those sales tax to benefit the Kansas City benefits. From 2012 to 2017, ZooEd Zoo, located in Kansas City. With student participation in Clay County the taxes, the zoo has added a tiger exhibit, created an orangutan enclo- totaled 22,500. For more information, visit sure with more climbing elements for www.kansascityzoo.org. the apes and the Helzberg Penguin Plaza. This summer, the zoo will add a “touch tank� that will hold 20,000 Great Americans Project: Liberty curto 30,000 gallons of salt water. The rently boasts statues of two great tank will be populated with docile
KANSAS CITY ZOO
PUBLIC ART
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LIBERTY COMMUNITY CHORUS
The Liberty Community Chorus, officially the city’s chorus after receiving the designation in 2015, features the musical talents of a mixed choir open to singers 16 and older. Bryan Taylor of the Grammywinning Kansas City Chorale directs the chorus, which performs concerts in both the fall and spring. The
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AAA membership requires the separate payment of annual dues and an admission fee for new members. Membership is required for new insureds. Discounts may apply to select coverages, vary by policy and are conditional. AAA insurance is a collection of AAA branded products, services and programs available to qualiďŹ ed AAA Members. AAA personal lines insurance is provided by Automobile Club Inter-Insurance Exchange or Auto Club Family Insurance Company. Life insurance is underwritten and annuities are provided by AAA Life Insurance Company, Livonia, MI. AAA Life is licensed in all states, except NY. The Motor Club and/or its afďŹ liates act as agents for their afďŹ liate, AAA Life. Copyright Š 2017 Automobile Club of Missouri. All Rights Reserved
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Arts, Entertainment & Culture
month to two months. Kinetic wind sculptures: Commissioned by the Liberty Arts Commission, six kinetic wind sculptures add to the landscape of two roundabouts — on College Street between Conistor Street and Blue Jay Drive — to improve the appearance of this retail 12
Explore Liberty ✦ March 2018
area. The sculptures were created by Lyman Whitaker. Liberty Jail Historic Site: While the museum, 216 N. Main St., shares the story of Mormon prophet Joseph Smith, who spent about five months awaiting trial, the site also includes art displays at various times of the year, including a substantial display of Nativities at Christmastime. The Pencil: While not technically a piece of art, the telecommunications tower visible from downtown resembles a giant yellow No. 2 pencil. The 100-foot metal tower is northwest of downtown Liberty.
settlers at Liberty Landing, decorate the Council Chamber where today’s city leaders meet at City Hall. Artist Eric Bransby stopped in Liberty in 2015 to see how his work has fared. The century-old artist painted the work in 1983. Clay County Administration Building Murals: A massive piece of art — 28 feet wide and 8 feet tall — depicting Clay County history adorns the interior of the third floor of the county administrative center and former courthouse. Another mural shows a former POW camp that was in Liberty. The third is a scene at dusk at Multnomah Plantation. The fourth, the African-American Legacy A series of murals are found around Mural, honors African-American pioneers, businesses, churches and downtown Liberty — both indoors schools that contributed to the and outside. founding of four county cities with The Lewis & Clark Mural: This exterior vital African-American populations: painting at Water and Mill streets commemorates the 200th anniversa- Liberty, Excelsior Springs, North Kansas City and Missouri City. Artist: ry of the Lewis & Clark expedition. David McClain. The image of York, the slave who Garrison School Cultural Center: The went on the expedition, was modeled after historian and poet Shelton center just added two murals to its eastern and southern exterior buildPonder. Artist: David McClain ing walls. “Sing A Song Full of the Justice Center Mural: Each scene in Hope That the Present Has Brought this outdoor collection of murals Us” is on the Main Street side. The illustrates a different aspect of Clay mural on the Water Street side of the County history. Artist: Matthew Monks; tiles made by Ron Taylor. building, called “Stony The Road We Liberty: The Heritage Years: Trod,” features the history of educaSignificant events in Liberty’s histion for African Americans in Liberty tory, including the arrival of early with images.
MURALS
Liberty Lions Club has a motto of “We Serve” and within the Liberty/Clay County area our primary service project is eye exams and glasses on a referral basis. We collect and recycle approximately 10,000 pairs of glasses a year and when added to those collected by others Lions clubs provide improved eyesight to needy in foreign countries. Annually, a scholarship is awarded to a deserving Liberty senior.
LIBERTY LIONS CLUB 75099343
Americans. The first was unveiled in 2013 with a life-sized bronze statue of the nation’s first president, George Washington, gracing the corner of Mill and South Leonard streets. Missouri’s beloved son and literary giant Mark Twain has stood at the corner of Kansas and North Missouri streets since 2016. Former Mayor Greg Canuteson has led the efforts for the art initiative with the Great Americans Project Board. Future sculptures could become part of a walking trail around the historic downtown. Three Public Art Galleries: There are three rotating exhibit spaces in the community — Liberty City Hall, 101 E. Kansas St.; the Liberty branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library, 1000 Kent St.; and the Liberty Community Center, 1600 S. Withers Road. Many of the exhibits feature local artists or artists connected to the city. The exhibits change every
We also support many other service works in the community.
Contact: Donna Bailey, Secretary
We meet on the 2nd and 4th Monday evenings at 6:30pm for dinner at Perkins Restaurant in Liberty.
Email: dbailey1930@att.net
We invite you to come join our organization.
Phone: 816-792-3359
On with the show! By Kellie Houx
Corbin Theatre offers opportunities for both adult and child actors.
with William Jewell College to provide a summer theater camp for kids utilizing the colleges theater department facilities. As a sponsor of Stars of Tomorrow, a program that provides opportunities for high school and younger musicians to perform in a public
setting, the Corbin also participates in Make Music Liberty and other music related events throughout the Kansas City metro area. “The Corbin seems to check all of the boxes — art, entertainment, culture and more — as one of Liberty’s hidden gems,” Stilfield said.
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Corbin Theatre is one of Liberty’s hidden gems
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816-781-6839 16 N. Main Street on the historic Liberty square March 2018 •
Stop by and take a trip down memory lane!
For Liberty Arts Commission Chairman Bill Stilfield, the city’s community theater is one of Liberty’s hidden gems. “Although some might question its ‘hiddeness,’ I doubt that most visitors to Liberty would be familiar with the theater and what it has to offer,” he said. “Likewise, I would guess that even though most locals have some knowledge about the Corbin, I wonder how many are aware of all of the things that the theater brings to the community.” Stilfield said the nonprofit receives some private donations, as well as support from corporate and local business sponsors. “The Corbin offers quality entertainment encompassing a range of performance art that includes music, live theater and poetry, all the while working with limited seating capacity and a stringent budget. Yet, the Corbin is still able to maintain high performance standards in its presentations,” he said. The monthly Jazz on the Square as well as other occasional events provide outstanding music performances that are free to the public. The Corbin is also committed to education in the arts. The Corbin Kids Co. provides kids with opportunities and real-life experience in the theater arts. The theater also partners
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Calendar of Events RECURRING EVENTS
April 28 — Liberty Cruise Night: 3 to 8 p.m. on Liberty Square; FREE
Jazz on the Square: 5:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month at Corbin Theatre, 15 N. Water St.; FREE
April 29 — Liberty Community Chorus: 3 p.m. at Community of Christ Temple in Independence
History Talks: 7 p.m. the third Thursday of the month at Clay County Museum and Historical Society, 14 N. Main St.; FREE
April 29 — Metropolitan Youth Orchestra: 7 p.m. at Liberty Performing Arts Theatre, 1600 S. Withers Road; FREE May 9 — Butt Buster Smokin’ BBQ: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rotary Plaza, at Franklin and Gallatin streets; fundraiser for Rotary Club
Friday Shopping: Participating downtown merchants extend their hours on Fridays Historic Downtown Liberty Farmers’ Market: Saturdays, May to October, 7 a.m. to noon May to September and 8 a.m. to noon in October; around Liberty Square Liberty Farmers Market: 7 a.m. to noon Wednesdays May through October in the Feldmans Farm & Home parking lot, 1332 W. Kansas St. Moonlight Yoga: Led by Patti Stark, owner and teacher at Serenity on the Square, and held at nightfall of full-moon nights (8:30 p.m. April 29, 9 p.m. May 29, 5:45 a.m. May 21 for Summer Solstice Sunrise Yoga, 9:15 p.m. July 27, 8:45 p.m. Aug. 26) at Stocksdale Park, 901 S. La Frenz Road Meet the Artist: 6 to 8 p.m. the fourth Friday of the month at The Artisan Market, 115 N. Main St.
SPRING
May 10 — K.C. Wild Women: 7 p.m. concert at Corbin Theatre, 15 N. Water St.; $15 May 18, 19, 25, 26 — “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”: 7:30 p.m. theatrical performance at Corbin Theatre, 15 N. Water St.; $12 Big Bunny Bash
Corbin Theatre, 15 N. Water St.; an Irish folk singer; $15 April 21 — Matt Cook Collective: 7 p.m. at Corbin Theatre, 15 N. Water St.; a concert featuring a fresh sound with a twist of jazz classics; $15 April 14 — Liberty Symphony Orchestra: 7:30 p.m. at Liberty Performing Arts Theatre, 1600 S. Withers Road; 47th season finale; $5-$8 April 22 — Garrison Art Exhibit Reception: 3 p.m. at Garrison School Cultural Center, 502 N. Water St.
May 18 — Popcorn in the Park: 8:30 p.m. at Stocksdale Park, 901 S. La Frenz Road; featuring “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”; FREE May 26 — Liberty Cruise Night: 3 to 8 p.m. on Liberty Square; FREE June 5, 12 — Liberty Summer Band: 7:30 p.m. in front of the Rooney Justice Center, 11 S. Water St.; FREE June 8 — Heather and Ava Wolesky: 7 p.m. at Corbin Theatre, 15 N. Water St.; mother-daughter duets; $15 June 9 — Downtown Concert: time TBA Liberty City Hall parking lot at Kansas and Missouri streets
March 23-24 — “Lend Me a Tenor”: 7:30 p.m. at Corbin Theatre, 15 N. Water St.; $12 March 24 — Big Bunny Bash: 10 a.m. to noon at Liberty Hospital, 2525 Glen Hendren Drive; sponsored by the hospital and the Liberty Parks and Recreation Department; egg hunts for children 10 and younger and a host of other family-friendly activities; FREE
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Explore Liberty ✦ March 2018
FreddysUSA.com |
Calendar of Events Water St.; $15
SUMMER
Oct. 7 — Antique Appraisal Fair: details TBA by the Clay County Museum & Historical Society
June 21 — Make Music Day: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through the city; musical festival featuring amateur and professional musicians; sponsored by Liberty Arts Commission
Oct. 13 — Popcorn in the Park: activities from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a movie at 7 p.m. at Stocksdale Park, 901 S. La Frenz Road; featuring “Coco”; FREE
June 26, July 1 — Liberty Summer Band: 7:30 p.m. in front of the Rooney Justice Center, 11 S. Water St.; FREE
Oct. 19, 20, 26, 27 — “The Cemetery Club”: 7:30 p.m. theatrical performance at Corbin Theatre, 15 N. Water St.; $12
June 29-30 — “Annie”: 7:30 p.m. June 29, 2:30 and 7 p.m. June 30; musical presented by Corbin Kids Company at Corbin Theatre, 15 N. Water St.; $10 June 30 — Liberty Cruise Night: 3 to 8 p.m. on Liberty Square; FREE July 3 — Liberty4thFest: 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. with activities from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Lost Wax concert at 8 p.m. at Fountain Bluff Sports Complex, 2200 Old Highway 210; www. liberty4thfest.com July 13 — Tee it Up Fore Parks Golf Tournament: 8 a.m. at Liberty Hills Golf Club, 19808 Missouri Route H July 14 — Lily & Georgia Duo: 7 p.m. at Corbin Theatre, 15 N. Water St.; $10 July 28 — Liberty Cruise Night: 3 to 8 p.m. on Liberty Square; FREE Aug. 3, 4, 10, 11 — “Glorious Corbin Theatre”: 7:30 pm. at Corbin Theatre, 15 N. Water St.; $12 Aug. 10 — Popcorn in the Park: 8:30 p.m. at Stocksdale Park, 901 S. La Frenz Road; featuring “Peter Rabbit”; FREE Aug. 18 — Dog Days of Summer Craft Beer Crawl: 3 to 7 p.m. in downtown; hosted by Historic Downtown Liberty Inc. Aug. 25 — Liberty Cruise Night: 3 to 8 p.m. on Liberty Square; FREE Aug. 25 — Dan Jones and the Squids Band: 7 p.m. concert at Corbin Theatre, 15 N. Water St.; $15 Sept. 8 — Downtown Concert: time TBA,
Oct. 31 — Trick or Treat Downtown: 5 to 7 p.m. at participating downtown merchants; children can dress up and collect Halloween treats Liberty Fall Festival carnival
Nov. 24 — Small Business Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; an opportunity in the City Hall parking lot at Kansas to shop local and support small and Missouri streets; hosted by businesses Historic Downtown Liberty Inc. and Nov. 30, Dec. 1 — Corbin Kids Company’s City of Liberty “A Very Merry Broadway”: 7 p.m. at Sept. 11 — Patriot Day Remembrance: Corbin Theatre, 15 N. Water St. 9 a.m. in front of City Hall Dec. 1 — Hometown Holidays: 2 to 5 p.m. in downtown Liberty; holidaythemed activities sponsored by Historic Downtown Liberty Inc., City Sept. 28-30 — Liberty Fall Festival: three of Liberty and Clay County days of entertainment including
FALL
a parade, carnival, music, food and more in downtown Liberty; coordinated by the Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce Oct. 6 — Ernest Jones Zydeco: 7 p.m. concert at Corbin Theatre, 15 N.
Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15 — “Greater Tuna”: 7:30 p.m. theatrical performance at Corbin Theatre, 15 N. Water St.; $12 Dec. 8 — Liberty Symphony Orchestra: time TBA at Liberty Performing Arts Theatre, 1600 S. Withers Road
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Liberty development continues revealing gems By Kellie Houx LIBERTY — For almost 200 years, Liberty has been growing from its settler roots to a vibrant metropolitan suburb of about 30,000. One of the biggest additions coming in 2018 is the Liberty B&B Theatres complex, which is tentatively slated to open in late spring or early summer — around late May or early June, said President Bob Bagby. All the auditoriums will have stadium seating with leather recliners, Dolby 7.1 digital surround sound as well as wall-to-wall curved screens. The 12-screen theater complex will house 3 Grand Screen theaters, a large lobby, various cafes and bars, and the company’s headquarters. B&B Theaters is the seventh largest theater chain in the United States with 391 screens in seven states.
Renaissance continues
Mayor Lyndell Brenton continues using the word “renaissance” to describe the overall economic vitality of Liberty. As a testament to that sense of renewal, the addition of new retail stores and restaurants in Liberty Commons is ongoing. Earlier this year, Louie’s Wine Dive, a sit-down restaurant with small plate offerings, unique weekly dishes created by the chef onsite and wine offerings from all over the United States joined the offerings at the shopping center at Conistor and Kansas streets. 16
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Liberty B&B Theatres is under construction and will likely open in early summer.
McAlister’s Deli, Meshuggah Bagels and Slim Chickens also are ready to serve hungry visitors to Liberty Commons. There are also shops such as Academy Sports & Outdoors for those who might be visiting Liberty for a baseball or softball tournament. The Marriott TownPlace Suites Hotel just
opened as another hotel option for those traveling to play at Fountain Bluff Sports Complex. Other stores include Five Below, Ulta Beauty, HomeGoods, Kirkland’s, Natural Grocers and Petco. In April, those looking for arts supplies can find them at Hobby Lobby. Another food choice opening this
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year is Evolve Paleo Chef, which will have grab-and-go options as well as a smoothie and juice bar. Karan Johnson, economic and business development manager, points to an array of new additions and improvements in the community. Like the mayor, she highlights Liberty Commons, as well as the Forest Avenue Apartments, the Homestead residential development, the Cottages at Bluebird Creek senior housing, the Norterre multi-generational wellness community, B&B Theatres, the recent downtown reconstruction and streetscape, and Riverwood, a 22-home development near EPIC Elementary School. “Last year were a lot of starts,” Johnson said. “This will be a year where projects will be finished up. There’s also going to be significant road improvements that will help keep these other developments moving along.” She expects two more hotels to join the Liberty landscape late in the year — Best Western Plus and Home2 Suites on Missouri Highway 291. In the realm of commercial and industrial sites, Johnson works closely with Ralph Boots, the Liberty Economic Development Corp.’s executive director. Boots came to Liberty last June. He is helping market available space in Heartland Meadows I and II, an industrial park on the northern edge of town. Since mid-June of 2017, Boots and the LEDC have received 34 leads, received 16 proposal submissions, worked on 10 active projects and hosted three site visits. “When South Liberty Parkway opens completely, there will be more land open for development as well,” Boots said. “My goal is to respond quickly, and some of these proposals are a two- to four-day turnaround. The mission for the LEDC is to attract businesses, but also to meet with existing employers and look at business expansion possibilities and retention efforts.” South Liberty Parkway should open
Downtown Liberty
later in 2018, which will help with travel around the Liberty community. Future retail and residential spaces will be available. Katherine Sharp, the director of planning and development for Liberty, and Johnson praised Liberty Commons, but they also both mentioned the work being done elsewhere in the city including renovations to Liberty Corners, 850 S. Highway 291. “The renovations of other shopping centers is important,” Sharp said. “We are keeping other shopping areas fresh with community improvement districts.” Sharp called the downtown reconstruction her favorite project of 2017. The voting public approved the three-eighths-cent economic development sales tax in November 2014 to invest and improve streets, sidewalks, crosswalks and below-ground
infrastructure in historic downtown Liberty. The final touches were added in late June 2017. Around the Historic Liberty Square and a few blocks north, east, west and south, there are several places to eat or to grab a snack such as Classy Chocolates, Ginger Sue’s, Hammerhand Coffee, Huey’s on the Square, Luigi’s Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar, Morning Day Cafe, Mudhole BBQ, Rock & Run Brewery, Sorella’s, Corner Bar and Yogurt Shoppe. Shopping is also extensive with women’s clothing options at Bea’s Designs, Catfish & Tater Boutique, Intimate Designs and More Excuses. For the family, there’s Brant’s Clothing, Hillcrest Hope Thrift Store and Payton’s Closet. Other options are Bittersweet Apothecary, Nickel & Suede and Petals & Potpourri. Additional places to shop include Bratcher Cooperage, Anna Marie’s Teas, Cody’s Quick Stop, D’Agee & Company Florists, EtchLife, James Country Mercantile, Main Street Goods and Goodies, Personal Touch Engraving, Artisan Market, Three Gables Decor and Whiteside Jewelry. A couple locales are seasonal. They include Yogurt Shoppe in the warmer months and Many Hands Fair Trade Shop in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Quilting is My Therapy, run by quilting-teacher-in-demand Angela Walters, is a destination for many quilting bus tours.
Historic Downtown Liberty Farmers’ Market Farm-Fresh Flowers, Produce, Meats, Eggs and Baked Goods
Saturdays, May thru October
7am to Noon thru Sept. 8am to Noon in Oct. www.DowntownLiberty.org 816-581-6523 75098434
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Business Directory ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Morning Day Café 6 E Franklin St Liberty, MO 64068 816-883-8258 www.morningdaycafe.com
The Artisan Market 115 N Main St, Liberty, MO 64068 816-407-8071
Rock and Run Brewery & Pub 110 E Kansas St, Liberty, MO 64068 816-415-BEER (2337) www.rockandrunbrewery.com
ATTORNEY
Texas Roadhouse 168 N Stewart Ct, Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-9899 www.texasroadhouse.com
Retro Bowl 906 W Liberty Dr Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-1998
Aramjoo Law Firm 17 West Kansas St Liberty, MO 64068 816-479-5898 www.aramjoolawfirm.com
BED & BREAKFAST
Stone-Yancey House Bed and Breakfast 421 Lightburne St Liberty, MO 64068 816-415-0066 www.stoneyanceyhouse.com
BANK
Clay County Savings Bank 1178 W Kansas St Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-4500 www.claycountysavings.com
BOUTIQUE
More Excuses 2 N Main St, Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-3832
DAY SPA/SALON
The Landing Eatery and Pub 1189 W Kansas St Liberty, MO 64068 816-792-5230 www.landingeateryandpub.com
EVENTS
Belvoir Winery 1325 Odd Fellows Rd Liberty, MO 64068 816-200-1811 www.belvoirwinery.com Tobacco Barn Farm 18503 Highway 33 Holt, MO 64048 816-506-6101 www.tobaccobarnfarm.com
FARMERS MARKET Historic Downtown Liberty Farmers’ Market 816-581-6523 www.DowntownLiberty.org
EARLY EDUCATION/DAYCARE
FUNERAL SERVICES
EDUCATION
GROCERY
Liberty Montessori Center 1004 Middlebrook Dr Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-6295 www.libertymontessoricenter.com
The Tutoring Center – Kansas City 9775 N Cedar Ave Kansas City, MO 64157 816-781-0000 www.kansascity.turoringcenter.com William Jewell College 500 College Hill, Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-7700 www.jewell.edu
Park Lawn Chapel 1640 N Highway 291 Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-8228 Parklawnfunerals.com
Cosentino’s Price Chopper 896 S Highway 291 Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-4649 www.mypricechopper.com 9717 N Ash Ave Kansas City, MO 64157 816-883-2770 www.mypricechopper.com
Salon Oasis & Day Spa 8504 N Church Rd Kansas City, MO 64057 816-415-3733 www.salonoasisanddayspa.com
DINING
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers 9800 NE Barry Rd Kansas City, MO 64157 816-792-9902 www.freddysusa.com 75098241
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Business Directory HEATING & COOLING
SPECIALTY SHOPS
HOSPITAL
James County Mercantile 111 N Main St Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-9473 www.jamescountry.com
Gladstone Furnace Co. 303 NE 58th Terrace Gladstone, MO 64118 816-452-0400 www.gfac1948.com
Bratcher Cooperage & Gifts 109 S Water St Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-3988
Liberty Hospital 2525 Glenn Hendren Dr Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-7200 www.libertyhospital.org
INSURANCE
AAA Shoal Creek – Debbie Watson 9205 NE Highway 152 Kansas City, MO 64158 watson.debra@aaamissouri.com 816-781-4222
JEWELERS
Champagne Jewelers 9201 NE Highway 152 Kansas City, MO 64158 816-415-9110 www.champagne-jewelers.com
LIQUOR & CIGAR STORE Y-Liquor & Cigar 346 S Highway 291 Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-9442
MEDICAL
Liberty Medical Center 1504 NE 96th St, Liberty, MO 64068 816-415-2233 www.libertymedicalcenter.com
Main Street Goods and Goodies 16 N Main St, Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-6839 Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce 1170 W Kansas St, Suite H Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-5200 www.libertychamber.com
Petals & Potpourri 1 E Kansas St, Liberty, MO 64068 816-429-7760 www.petalsandpotpourri.com
Lions Club of Liberty 354 Lakeside Dr Liberty, MO 64068 816-792-3359
Corbin Theatre 15 N Water St, Liberty, MO 64068 816-529-4988 www.corbintheatre.org
PET SERVICES
Camp Bow Wow 1071 Brown St Liberty, MO 64068 816-629-8522 www.campbowwow.com/liberty
SHOE REPAIR
Mace Shoe Repair 20 North Main Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-5771
VENUE & OFFICE SPACE
Corbin Mill Place 131 S Water St Liberty, MO 64068 www.CorbinMillPlace.com
VINTAGE & ANTIQUES
Three Gables Décor 110 N Main St Liberty, MO 64068 816-678-3791 threegablesdecor.com
The Stone-Yancey House Bed and Breakfast
ORGANIZATIONS
Historic Downtown Liberty Inc. 117B N Main St, Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-3575 www.DowntownLiberty.org
www.stoneyanceyhouse.com email: stay@stoneyanceyhouse.com 421 N. Lightburne Liberty, MO 64068-1811
816-415-0066
75098239
Historic Liberty Jail Visitors Center 216 N Main St, Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-3188 www.lds.org/placestovisit
THEATER
Carolyn and Steve Hatcher, Innkeepers
Enjoy life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness... In an 1889 Victorian in the Kansas City metropolitan area March 2018 •
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Explore Liberty âœŚ March 2018
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Midwest National Air Center
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Parks & Recreation Being active is for everyone. The Liberty Parks and Recreation Department works to make that possible. From sports and fitness programs to parks and trails to activities for mature adults, Liberty Parks and Recreation has something to offer just about everyone. The city boasts 10 parks covering more than 500 acres. Liberty residents and visitors can avail themselves of playgrounds, spraygrounds, tennis courts, a tennis hitting wall, ball fields, a dog park, a disc golf course, and many miles of trails for walking, running or biking. Volunteering for Parks: The Liberty Parks and Recreation Department offers something for potential volunteers of all types. Among the possibilities are park maintenance, tree plantings, stream cleanups and special events. Those wishing to volunteer should visit libertymissouri.gov/40/ Volunteer-Opportunities for information or call 439-4396.
PARKS & TRAILS
Dog Park: A part of Stocksdale Park has gone to the dogs. Dog owners and their four-legged friends can make use of the Liberty Dog Park, a popular 3-acre fenced area in the park, 901 S. La Frenz Road. Thanks to a local Eagle Scout, the dog park also has a number of refurbished pieces of agility equipment. There’s even a 5,400-squarefoot section dedicated to the smaller dogs so everyone’s furry friend can romp. Amenities include agility obstacles (tunnel, ramp and jump), benches, fire hydrant, water spigot, a double-gated entrance and exit, waste bags and trash cans. Trails: More than 10 miles of asphalt trails and 6 miles of primitive trails provide walkers and runners with citywide opportunities for recreation
Flow track at Stocksdale Park
and fitness. Trails range from less than a quarter mile to 2.5 miles, and many of the trails connect with neighborhood sidewalks. Mountain bikers will find one of the region’s most extensive single-track trail systems at Stocksdale Park and the adjacent Walnut Woods Conservation Area. Bike tracks: Mountain biking
PETALS & POTPOURRI petalsandpotpourri.com Est. 1979 Blue Springs
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Explore Liberty ✦ March 2018
Home Decor, Unique Gifts, Custom Floral Arrangements
Liberty
Amber Hinton 1 E. Kansas Street (816) 429-7760
Store Hours: M-F 9:30AM - 6:00PM | Blue Springs, M-F 9:30AM - 5:30PM | Liberty, Sat: 9:30AM - 5:00PM, Sun: Closed
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enthusiasts now have two options at Stocksdale Park to help them get their fix. The park features a new flow track and a pump track, with each offering a different experience for athletes of all ages and skill levels. The flow track is designed to create a rhythm for the bikers and involves less pedaling due to a largely downhill course. It provides bikers with more of an anaerobic workout than and aerobic one. Flow tracks are for bikers of any skill level or for any kind of mountain bike, no matter whether beginner or expert. The pump track offers a different kind of experience for park patrons. Pump tracks feature a series of rollers and berms that allow bikers to gain and maintain speed through the track without pedaling at all. Momentum is gained by “pumping” the track’s terrain transitions. Disc Golf: Enthusiasts of a fast-growing sport can enjoy an 18-hole disc golf course in Stocksdale Park that is fun for all skill levels. Disc golf requires little equipment and appeals to sportspeople of all ages. Spraygrounds: What young person hasn’t enjoyed running through spraying water during the summer months? Kids looking for that age-old thrill can find it at one of Liberty’s two spraygrounds at City Park, 970 S. Missouri Highway 291, and Ruth Moore Park, 410 N. Morse
Parks & Recreation fitness center underwent a facelift that included new flooring with a walking track, some new weight equipment and spin bikes. The Liberty Community Center also offers five beautiful meeting and banquet rooms and a 700-seat theater suited to accommodate a multitude of special event needs and a variety of group sizes — perfect for business seminars and meetings, receptions, anniversaries, family gatherings, birthday parties, bridal and baby showers, and much more. Coming soon are a playground for the center’s child-watch area and a 20-foot shade structure at the outdoor pool. For more information, call 4394360 or visit libertymissouri.gov/172/ Community-Center.
FOUNTAIN BLUFF SPORTS COMPLEX
Sprayground at Ruth Moore Park
Ave. The latter was updated in 2017 with a firefighter theme. Admission to the spraygrounds, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, is free. For more information on parks and trails, visit libertymissouri.gov/1714/ Parks-Trails.
LIBERTY COMMUNITY CENTER
If it’s a sport, chances are it has been played at the Fountain Bluff Sports Complex. The venue has served up baseball, softball, flag football and soccer. Fountain Bluff hosts leagues and tournaments and also offers ameinclude two indoor pools (lap pool nities not seen in other similar and warm water pool); two outdoor pools including a children’s fountain facilities. The sports amenities are the largpool; hot tub; sauna; three-quarters est draw to Fountain Bluff. Since it court gymnasium; locker rooms; and debuted in 2002, countless sports a recently expanded fitness center featuring cardiovascular and strength fans from all over the country have enjoyed contests at Fountain Bluff. training equipment. In 2015, the
The Liberty Community Center, which celebrated its 25-year anniversary last year, offers aquatics, fitness, as well as youth and adult community programs to help area residents and visitors maintain an active lifestyle throughout the year. With a day pass, summer pass or annual membership, anyone can take advantage of many of the fitness classes and amenities at the center, 1600 S. Withers Road. Facilities 75098668
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Parks & Recreation summertime activity, it goes on yearround at Fountain Bluff. Fountain Bluff’s eight ponds are managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation for public fishing. Three to four times each winter, MDC stocks two of the ponds with rainbow trout to provide winter fishing. MDC also checks the population of other fish species — bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish — and restocks the ponds as needed. For more information, visit libertymissouri.gov/91/ Fountain-Bluff-Sports-Complex.
YOUTH & ADULT SPORTS PROGRAMS
Fishing at Fountain Bluff Sports Complex
With nine softball/baseball fields, extra-wide covered dugouts, playgrounds, six soccer/football fields, restrooms and concession stands, the facility hosts recreational baseball, softball, soccer and flag football leagues, as well as competitive local, state, regional and national baseball and softball tournaments. Recent improvements mean that the baseball, softball and soccer fields are now better illuminated with new sports lighting that offers brighter, shadowless and more efficient lighting. Spectators catching some ball games in the rains of spring or heat of summer enjoy new 24
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shade structures at the baseball/softball fields. While many think of fishing as a
It’s never too early to get involved and make friends. The Liberty Parks and Recreation Department offers a strong slate of youth sports programs that help kids learn the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship and an active lifestyle. Children, even as young as two and a half in some sports, can begin developing fundamental skills for soccer, baseball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, golf, swimming and football. From there, budding athletes can move into introductory leagues for baseball, softball, basketball, flag football, soccer, volleyball, cheerleading and more. Liberty Parks and Recreation also offers competitive youth leagues in soccer, basketball, baseball, flag football and softball.
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Parks & Recreation Volunteer coaches are always in demand and offer parents and others a chance to help develop future sports stars. For the competitive spirit, there also are opportunities. The Liberty Storm offers kids 18 and younger an opportunity to swim competitively in an environment that stresses fundamentals, good sportsmanship and fun. This summer swim program has been swimming at the Liberty Community Center since 1993. The soccer program partners with Alliance Futbol Club to better instruct parents and children. And sports aren’t just for the kids. Liberty Parks and Recreation helps adults fulfill their competitive drive through softball, baseball, volleyball, soccer, kickball and basketball leagues. For those who want to try their skills at a sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong, the Liberty Community Center gymnasium sports some pickleball lines. Also for adults is a cricket league that plays in Stocksdale Park. This bat-andball game played between two teams competing on a rectangular 22-footlong pitch is one of the world’s most popular sports. League play began last April. Whether young or just young at heart, Liberty Parks and Recreation has the right activity. For more information about sports programs, visit www.libertymissouri.gov/LPR. Parks and Recreation Charitable Fund: Recognizing that public funding is limited, the Liberty Parks & Recreation Charitable Fund was established to support projects, youth scholarships and other needs. Dozens of youth scholarships have been awarded through the fund. Private donations and an annual Tee it Up Fore Parks golf tournament help to raise more than $15,000 each year for the charitable fund. The third annual Tee it Up Fore Parks golf
tournament is scheduled for this July 13 at Liberty Hills Golf Club. Donations to the LPRCF can be made securely online at www.libertymissouri.gov/1416/ Ways-to-Give.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
The Community Services Division of the Parks and Recreation Department offers support services and a variety of social activities and programs to older adults and seniors of our community. The division offers activities that encourage social, intellectual and physical activity for the 50 and better crowd. Silver Center: The Liberty Silver Center is a place where adults 60 and older come to socialize, participate in activities and enjoy a hot nutritious meal. In addition to weekly activities, which include various card games, computer classes, seminars, land aerobics class and special events, the Silver Center has partnered with Focus Healthcare to provide monthly Wellness Wednesdays. Offered on the fourth Wednesday of each month, Wellness Wednesday provides relevant information on health care, caregiving, financial fitness, music therapy, resources within the community and more. Access Bus: The Liberty Access Bus provides free essential transportation within the city limits of Liberty to adults 60 and older and physically challenged individuals age 18 to 59 who do not have access to their own transportation. The Liberty Access Bus provides many seniors the opportunity to age in place; staying in their own homes and caring for themselves. Essential trips include the doctor’s office, grocery store and pharmacy. Non-essential trips such as those to the bank or non-grocery stores are available as space permits. Coupons are required for each segment of the trip; a book of 10 coupons can be purchased for $10. Meals on Wheels: Liberty Meals On Wheels has been delivering noonday
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Parks & Recreation meals in Liberty for more than 40 years. Monday through Friday, volunteers deliver affordable, hot and nutritious lunches to nearly 80 homebound seniors within the city limits of Liberty who are unable to cook for themselves. Volunteers are the backbone of the program. The volunteers deliver much-needed meals and provide a smiling face and a daily wellness check for these homebound residents. As the program continues to grow, so does the need for volunteers. Volunteers can donate just one hour a week to help provide a much needed service to our community. For more information on this and other activities, call the city’s Community Services Division at 439-4365 or visit www.ci.liberty.mo.us/ CommunityServices.
Rex the gecko at Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary
MARTHA LAFITE THOMPSON NATURE SANCTUARY
As a lover of the outdoors, Martha Lafite Thompson also would love what her dream has become. Independent of the city, the nonprofit Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary operates on 100 acres of land on the east side of Liberty. Its mission is to offer engaging, hands-on environmental and natural science education for all ages; create biodiversity of native plants and animals through wise management of natural resources; foster 26
Explore Liberty ✦ March 2018
understanding that all Earth’s inhabitants are part of a complex, interdependent ecosystem; and opportunities for quiet reflection and reconnection with the natural world. The nature center offers a variety of public programs for all ages, as well as private programs, birthday parties, scout groups and school field trips. It features hands-on exhibits, live animal exhibits, fossil displays and a bird-feeding station, as well as restrooms, drinking fountains, classrooms and a gift shop. The interpretive center is open year round. Trails are open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from April through September and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October through March. The sanctuary has approximately 4 miles of trails. There are two asphalt trails, one of which is ADA accessible. The area is open for hiking, nature study, birding, photography and more. A donation of $1 per person is suggested. Fees are charged for guided hikes, and public or private programs. The sanctuary is located at 407 N. La Frenz Road. For more information, call 781-8598 or visit www.naturesanctuary.com.
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Kansas City Wildcats cricket team at Stocksdale Park
By Thom Hanrahan Just past the entrance to Stocksdale Park, up the drive there is an international facility with an all-American feel. Players of all nationalities gather on the weekends at the recently opened cricket pitch and play a game that for many is a passion. Last summer, amid the dog walkers,
at the University of Kansas Medical Center. “It all goes back to my days at Vanderbilt, then Memphis, then Cleveland. They were kind enough to give me a spot on the team.” The league began with a few enthusiastic players who wanted to enjoy a sport they grew up watching and loving. As careers and life brought many of them to the Midwest from all over, the league kept expanding. Liberty had room at the park, and the cricket pitch opened in spring 2017 after the city approved the project in December 2016. Now, cricket players come from all over the Kansas City metropolitan area to the Northland for weekend matches. “The city of Liberty was kind enough to let us establish this ground here,” Rali said. “This is one of the newest cricket venues in Kansas City.” While a bat and a ball are involved, cricket isn’t baseball. Yet, it is a game Americans have embraced. The first international match was an 1844 one between the United States and Canada. Cricket is a played between two teams of 11 players each. One team bats, attempting to score runs, while the other bowls and fields the ball, attempting to restrict the scoring and dismiss the batsmen. The objective is for a team to score more runs than its opponent. the youth baseball practices and the While it sounds like a close cousin other activities going on, the park of baseball, Rali said it has some sigentertained the Kansas City Wildcats nificant differences. and the Dark Horses cricket clubs in a “It looks a little like baseball, but midday matchup. obviously there are nuances to the It was just one of many that occupy game,” Rali said. “In baseball, you the park’s facility. have a diamond. In cricket, you have “I have played competitive cricket the advantage of being able to hit for almost a decade now,” said Aniket 360 degrees. That also provides chalRali, a Wildcats full rounder who lenges for the bowler (pitcher) and spends his week as a cardiology fellow fielders.
International sport plants flag at Stocksdale Park
March 2018 •
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Public campaign builds stadiums
Liberty Hospital Activity Complex at Liberty High School
HOMETOWN PRIDE By Thom Hanrahan A pair of activity complexes continues to develop and offer points of pride for a city with a rich athletic history. In fall 2017, both Liberty and Liberty North high schools christened new football facilities. But the venues provide much more than a place to hold football games. “We are excited to build on it,” said Bob Kernell, Liberty North athletics director. “The energy the kids got from it was awesome.” The facilities opened with special celebrations on back-to-back weeks during the 2017 football season. Liberty North went first on Friday, Aug. 18, in a game against Staley. Liberty followed on Friday, Aug. 25, against Belton. The stadiums feature new seating, wide concourses, press boxes and large video scoreboards operated by student staff as an educational experience. 28
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Kernel said the fact that the two facilities are a testament to the commitment of Liberty’s citizens and businesses that saw the value of upgrading the high schools’ venues in tune with the times. “It’s just the pride of what we can do as a community, to totally fundraise them and the excitement that it brings,” Kernell said. “And then everyone comes out to see it. “Teams have come to visit us and say, ‘Holy cats, this is really nice.’ When I tell them it was fundraised by the community, they think that is really great.” Building Pride, a committee of community patrons, launched the project fundraising campaign in September 2016 with a goal of raising $4.9 million by May 31, 2017. Through sponsorships and charitable contributions, enough funds were raised to begin installing stadium seating, video boards, convenience buildings and entry plazas at both sites, as well as
lights at Liberty North. Construction began last summer and continues. The entry plazas, concession facilities and other amenities are expected to be ready when the fall 2018 football season arrives. “For us, we are going to need more bleachers down the road, but it will be complete by May 14,” Kernell said. Liberty Hospital and Gary Crossley Ford secured primary facility naming rights to create the Liberty Hospital Activity Complex at Liberty High School and Crossley Family Activity Complex at Liberty North High School. Other sponsorships came from Hy-Vee for field naming rights at Liberty, and Gary Crossley Ford and Liberty Hospital for seating section rights at Liberty and Liberty North. Cosentino’s Price Chopper has rights for both convenience buildings, and BankLiberty secured rights for both press boxes.
Education the caring teachers, staff, parents and community support that make up the district. All of these facets combined have helped LPS become one of the most attractive school districts for families to want their children to attend. For more information, visit www.lps53.org.
LIBERTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
A continuously growing Liberty Public Schools is a destination district for families around the Kansas City metropolitan area, state of Missouri and the entire region. As its mission reads, the district seeks to “inspire and equip all learners to discover their voice and unlimited potential.” This is demonstrated with its extensive Project Lead the Way program and Northland Center for Advanced Professional Studies participation. With an enrollment of well over 12,500, LPS educates students at a high level while also being one of the fastest-growing school districts in the state. Students attend one of 11 elementary schools, four middle schools, two high schools, an early
ST. JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Liberty North High School
childhood center or Liberty Academy Alternative School. LPS is known across the state for its high test scores, all-state band participation, college and career readiness, athletics and overall excellence, annually receiving state and national awards and distinctions in assorted categories. The administration recognizes that success cannot be obtained without
The mission of St. James Catholic School is to empower students to achieve their full academic and Christian potential, and become prayerful, lifelong learners and good stewards of God’s gifts. Established in 1955, this private school provides a Catholic education to children in preschool through the eighth grade. The philosophy at St. James is to educate the whole child, including
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Education activities focused on Spanish, music, art, physical education, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math), sign language, cooking and team-building. Its main campus is at 10500 N. Arrowhead Trafficway, Kansas City. For more information call 548-2222 or visit www.northlandchristianed.com.
EARNEST SHEPHERD YOUTH CENTER St. James Catholic School
emotional, intellectual, spiritual, moral, physical and social development. The integration of faith and knowledge is achieved by having strong family involvement, a dedicated staff, innovative extracurricular programs, an outdoor learning environment, state-of-the-art technology and an emphasis on personal responsibility and respect for others. St. James Catholic School is located just past Liberty Commons at 309 S. Stewart Road. For more information, call 781-4428 or visit www.stjames-liberty.org.
For over 50 years, Earnest Shepherd Youth Center, located at 610 E. Shepherd Road, has sought to help youth cultivate their individual strengths and improve family and peer interaction in a fun environment. The center is located on 62 acres and provides Kansas City-area schools educational, leadership, team-building and recreational programming. The youth center is in its first year beginning a program allowing for
Earnest Shepherd Youth Center
birthday parties one weekend out of the month. In addition to new programs, annually during the summer kids can roam a world of adventure in one of the many day camps. For more information, call 781-7733 or visit www.ernestshepherd.com.
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Northland Christian School’s Liberty location within the Church of the Nazarene
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NORTHLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Northland Christian School’s Liberty branch is part of an effort to become a district of Christian schools. Located at 1400 Southview Drive, this private school serves children from pre-school to fifth grade. The school provides enrichment 75099897
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Education MID-CONTINENT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Among the most visited in the 31-branch system, the Liberty community is home to two Mid-Continent Public Library locations. The Liberty branch, at 1000 Kent St., opened in 1982 and expanded with an addition in 1992. The library features a rotating art exhibit that is coordinated in partnership with the Liberty Arts Commission. This Liberty landmark is pending a demolition and rebuild, beginning as early as August 2018 and is projected to be completed mid-late 2019. The site of the new and improved Liberty branch should be announced soon. At 8900 NE Flintlock Road, just west of Liberty, is the Woodneath Library Center. The center was built around the 1850s Elbridge-Arnold home. This year brought the completion of renovating the home into a unique Story Center, a community space dedicated to the art of storytelling in all its forms. Voters across Mid-Continent’s three-county system voted to approve an 8-cent operating tax levy increase to fund facility and programming enhancements in November 2016. Funds will expand library circulation and improve Wi-Fi at all branches. Additionally, the Woodneath Library has been receiving various upgrades. For more information about the library system, visit www.mymcpl.org.
William Jewell College
Christian, liberal arts university was founded in Olathe, Kansas. For more information, visit www.mnu.edu/professional/liberty, or call 407-3070.
WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE
William Jewell College was built on land donated by Dr. William Jewell in 1849. Originally an all men’s college, William Jewell was one of the earliest private four-year institutions. Women began enrolling in the school in 1920 after a local women’s college was burned. The campus was used to house soldiers during the Civil War, it also bore witness to World War I and World War II, contributing its own piece to history.
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Located in the Liberty Triangle at 105 N. Stewart Court, Suite 210, MidAmerica Nazarene University is dedicated to professional and graduate studies. MNU students use modern technology in classrooms and an online learning system. In addition to regular class times, MNU offers evening and weekend classes for those with different scheduling needs. Established in 1966, this private,
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MIDAMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY
The entire campus is a designated historic landmark. According to its mission statement, William Jewell College strives to “educate our community to ask reflective questions, apply critical thought, and act with purpose,” as stated on its website. Members of the community enjoy the college for its big hill, perfect for sledding, its outstanding fine arts performances around the Kansas City metropolitan area and the Cardinals football games lighting up the stadium just past the Historic Liberty Square. For more information about the college or its classes call 781-7700 or visit the website at www.jewell.edu.
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The Lightburne Historic District is where one would find this home, built in 1890. The houses around it are century homes as well.
STRONG FOUNDATIONS
Historic Districts and landmarks around every corner
By Sean Roberts
One of the Historic Districts of Liberty is Prospect Heights. Radiating out from the core of the Historic Liberty Square, some of the architecture here was built in 1880. 32
Explore Liberty âœŚ March 2018
Liberty’s history lives on in diverse and well-preserved historic districts and landmarks scattered throughout the city. There are five local historic districts, six National Register districts, 17 locally designated landmarks and eight properties individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Historical landmarks mark each district, some of the most interesting being the former Clay County Savings Bank, which in 1866 was the site of the first successful daylight
The Historic Liberty Square is made up of structures that were built with shared walls. History plaques are attached to the buildings. The Clay County Historical Museum, in the center of the photo, has 1877, the year it was established, displayed permanently on the face of the building near the roof.
bank robbery by the Jesse James Gang and now houses the Jesse James Bank Museum. Garrison School is another historic landmark in Liberty. At 502 N. Water St. and displayed in a mural on the third floor of the Clay County Administration Building, Garrison School was established in 1877 to educate African American youth in the city of Liberty. It was purchased from Liberty Public Schools in 2003 by Clay County African American Legacy Inc. and is now used to present ongoing programming for residents of the
The Jewell Historic District is located west of the William Jewell College campus. Depicted here is the R. H. Tukey House, where the Professor of Classics for William Jewell College lived. Tukey, 1877-1951, was the father of John Wilder Tukey. Home-schooled right here in Liberty, John Tukey went on to be a famous American mathematician, founding the box plot.
county and surrounding areas. Within the Lightburne district, Lightburne Hall is a 24-room Greek Revival plantation home. Built in 1852 as a private residence, this landmark is one of the largest surviving antebellum mansions in Northwest Missouri. Within the five historic districts — Doughtery, Jewell, the Historic Liberty
Square, Lightburne and Prospect Heights — a wandering observer may recognize more than just the historic landmarks. Each district has unique architecture types maintained since the late 1800s and early 1900s, paying tribute to the time period, providing a real-feel of walking through and experiencing history.
Built in 1916, this Century Home can be found in the Historic District of Dougherty. The multiple dimensions and walk path to the front door with a broad front patio was common in the Liberty area during the early 1900s. March 2018 •
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By Amanda Lubinski With thousands of artifacts in its collection, the Clay County Museum & Historical Society has countless hidden gems for visitors to discover. “I don’t even really know how many things we have because people are very generous and continue to donate things,” said society President Chery Carr Holtman. “I started doing an inventory about three years ago and have only put a small dent in it.” In the museum, visitors can see agricultural implements used more than a century ago when Clay County had a bustling tobacco farming industry; peruse archaeological artifacts from Nebo Hills, which has the highest elevation in Clay County; learn about weapons and warfare used during the Civil War; introduce themselves to the pioneers and founders of cities in the county; learn more about the infamous outlaw Jesse James; research the importance of the railroad in the area and learn about the area’s musical heritage just to name a few. Of some of the things on display that may make someone say, “Hmm, what’s that?” Holtman said some of the more interesting to her stem from various times in the city’s unique history and were all used in very different, yet equally important aspects of life.
located four miles south of the city and used by steamboats and Everett’s Ferry. Everett’s Ferry operated between Liberty Landing on the north side of the river and the Old Independence Landing three miles from Independence. On June 16, 1834, the overloaded ferry sank, killing owner William Everett and four others. “The river is an important part of Liberty’s history because it’s one of the reasons Liberty is here,” Holtman said.
Preserving the past
Liberty Landing Iron Ring Boat Tie
What some may overlook as merely a rusted, heavy ring on a yellow backdrop is an iron ring used at the original Liberty Landing. It is a tangible piece of history with ties to transportation and development in the city. The ring, which may predate the 1830s, was used to tie large boats, a once popular and necesThis iron ring from the 1800s was sary mode of transporused at the original Liberty Landing to tie ferries and steamboats. tation for people and all manner of goods in and out of the area along the Missouri River, to the landing. The landing was the commercial docking site on the river,
Dr. Goodson’s X-ray machine
One room in the museum’s upper level hearkens back to the time when the building continuously housed drugstores. On display in the antique doctor’s office is Dr. Goodson’s X-ray machine, purchased in 1924 and in place for more than nine decades. Before X-ray machines were invented, broken bones and the location of bullets were all diagnosed by a physical exam and a doctor’s guess. Then, in November of 1895, German physics professor Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen The harp piano on display was given to the invented the museum upon opening in 1965 by William now-standard Jewell College. piece of medical equipment. Holtman said Goodson was the second physician to practice medicine in the building, and that the nearly century-old X-ray machine is “a kind of odd looking
Clay County Museum houses thousands of artifacts highlighting Liberty’s unique history 34
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Also housed in the upper level of the museum is a top-heavy instrument given to the museum upon opening in 1965 by William Jewell College. “It’s a wonderful harp piano,” Holtman said. “It’s different because it’s vertical.”
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Another artifact that may look mundane to some but that provides a glimpse into domestic life in a bygone era is a chatelaine that dates back to 1760. The tarnished silver item dates back to before the United States existed. A chatelaine is a decorative belt hook or clasp worn at the waist by a woman in charge of a household. Each chain is mounted with useful household appendages such as scissors, thimbles, watches, keys, vinaigrette and household seals. The handmade sterling silver one at the museum still holds a pair of hand-forged scissors. Holtman said she wishes she could track down the family who donated the item because it could be the society is able to learn what silversmith made the piece. “It doesn’t look like much, but the history it has is amazing,” she said.
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The silver chatelaine on display dates back to 1760. A chatelaine is a decorative belt hook or clasp worn at the waist by a woman in charge of a household.
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History & Heritage The thriving and diverse community of Liberty got its start nearly 190 years ago, when it was established in the early 1800s during western migration. The settlement became the Clay County seat in 1822 and was incorporated in 1829, making it the second oldest incorporated town west of the Mississippi River. A little more than two decades later, in 1851, Liberty — covering one square mile with the courthouse at the physical center of town — was granted its first charter. As a tribute to the city’s commitment to its rich history, Liberty was designated a Preserve America community in 2007. In 2011, two national publications highlighted Liberty as one of the best places to live in the country. Family Circle Magazine ranked Liberty as one of the top three places for families. “The communities featured in the magazine’s annual roundup of perfect places to call home combine affordable housing, good neighbors, green spaces, strong public school systems and giving spirits,” a Family Circle press release about the rankings stated. Residents and visitors alike can connect with Liberty’s heritage through local and national historic districts, historical museums, and regular guided history-themed tours, among other activities. CNN / Money Magazine named Liberty the seventh Best Place to Live in a poll also done in 2011.
activities that explore the history of Liberty and surrounding cities in the county. Started 1965, the museum is located in a historic building that had long been the home to drugstores. One of the most well-preserved exhibits in the upstairs of the museum celebrates this heritage with an antique doctor’s office set up that includes medicine vials of yesteryear and Dr. Goodson’s X-Ray machine, which was purchased in 1924 and has been in place in the building for more than 90 years. Activities offered to the community include presentations and study groups. The museum and historical society also hosts an annual homes tour, a picnic and trivia nights. In recent months, the museum has gotten several new board members and a new curator in Jana Jessee Becker, who are breathing new life into the
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Located on the always bustling Liberty Square in the heart of downtown at 14 N. Main St., the Clay County Museum and Historical Society offers a wide variety of exhibits and
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thousands of artifacts that make up museum space with a plethora of new, cleaned up and expanded exhibits in 2018 including “Machines and Things,” “Clay County Pioneers,” “Music Heritage,” the railroad and “Around the County.” “We are really working to revamp and clean up the basement. We are working to create wide open spaces where people are able to wander around and really enjoy the exhibits. We are working to create more interactive spaces and exhibits,” society President Chery Carr Holtman said. The society is focusing efforts on getting more presenters from other cities and historical groups in Clay County. “For a long time we’ve been so centered on Liberty so we are really trying now to reach out because while we are located here in Liberty, we are the Clay County Museum,” Holtman
History & Heritage said, adding the group’s regular Third Thursdays speaker series feature speakers from a variety of other areas in the county speaking on a variety of historical topics. The museum is open 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The facility is also open extended hours with other businesses and points of interest on the Square during the downtown’s 4th Friday events. Contact the museum at 792-1849 or visit www.claycountymuseum.org for more information.
CLAY COUNTY ARCHIVES & HISTORICAL LIBRARY
The Clay County Archives and Historical Library is located at 210 E. Franklin St. and has been collecting records since 1979. The archives
contain hundreds of thousands of history books photos, photographs, maps, family histories and other documents perfect for use in genealogical research. Donations of materials of interest to historians as well as volunteers are always sought. The archives are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the first Monday of the month. Contact the archives at 781-3611 or info@claycountyarchives.org. For more details, go online to www.claycountyarchives.org.
JESSE JAMES BANK MUSEUM
On a cold and snowy February afternoon in 1866, the Clay County Savings Bank at 103 N. Water St. took its place in the annals of history becoming the site of the first successful daylight bank robbery during peacetime in the
country’s history. The robbery, attributed to the infamous James Gang headed by outlaw Jesse James, resulted in the loss of $60,000 and left one man dead. The bank is still standing and open for tours as the Jesse James Bank Museum. “Visitors see the bank as it was in 1866. Period furnishings fill the room and one becomes immersed in the story of the robbery as told by the bank teller. As you peer into the original green vault you can imagine the fear felt by the two bank tellers,” the Clay County Historic Sites website states. To learn more, call the museum at 816-736-8510. Another Clay County historic site with ties to the outlaw is his birthplace, now the Jesse James Farm & Museum east of Kearney. Visitors can view galleries of artifacts and take a guided tour
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History & Heritage inside the house where Jesse was born. There is an admission fee. To contact the museum, call 816-736-8500. For more information about these county-run sites, visit www.claycountymo. gov/Historic_Sites/.
exhibits and educational activities, including recent community conversaStarted in 2000, Clay County African tions on race and inclusion, as well as American Legacy is dedicated to eduannual Juneteenth and Kwanzaa celecating and informing the community brations. Juneteenth celebrations began about the history and influence of in Texas, where it is an official holiday, African-Americans in Clay County. but it is only one of a number of freeCCAAL is housed in the Garrison dom day celebrations held on various School building, 502 N. Water St., purdates commemorating the end of slavchased from the Liberty school district ery across the country. in 2003. For more information about CCAAL, The Garrison School was established visit www.ccaal-garrisonschool.org or search in 1877 as Liberty’s only AfricanAmerican school. It became known as The Clay County African American Legacy on Facebook. the best school for African-American students in the state. Now known as the Garrison School Cultural Center, Mt. Memorial Cemetery was the first it was named in honor of William cemetery in Clay County other than Lloyd Garrison, an abolitionist who family burial grounds and has been in served in President Abraham Lincoln’s use since the early 1820s. It was listed cabinet. on the National Register of Historic Listed as a historic landmark, Places in 2012. Garrison hosts community events,
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Among the notable figures whose histories weave through the tapestry of Liberty’s early days is Mormon prophet Joseph Smith. While imprisoned in late 1838 and early 1839, Smith received three revelations that are included in the faith’s Doctrine and Covenants today. “Although Alexander Doniphan led a force of Missouri volunteers ordered to capture the leaders, he defended Joseph Smith in trial and won him a change in venue. While en route to their new venue, Smith and his followers escaped and left Missouri for the new Mormon settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois. From the late 1840s through the 1860s, an exodus of more than 70,000 Mormons passed through on their way to their “New Zion” in Salt Lake City, Utah,” the city’s website states. The jail site located at 216 N. Main St. is now a visitor’s center. The attraction includes a reconstruction of the space where Smith was held, and is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more information, visit www.lds.org/locations/ liberty-jail-historic-site or call the jail site at 781-3188.
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History & Heritage Fairview Cemetery was established in 1857 and was so named because it overlooked the fairgrounds to the south, where Union soldiers camped on the grounds during the Civil War. In 1901, the old fairgrounds were acquired by the city to extend the cemetery. A contest was held to name the new cemetery, and the name “New Hope” was chosen. The cemetery has strong ties to the city’s founders. “Col. Alexander Doniphan, one of the most prominent statesmen and military leaders in American history, is buried there. The ‘Confederate Soldier’ monument pays tribute to the fallen soldiers from Clay County,” Liberty’s website, libertymissouri.gov, states. A Perpetual Care Program has been established to care for the cemeteries. Under this program, 25 percent of the
proceeds from the sale of each lot is placed into a trust fund. Donations are tax-deductible. Checks can be mailed to the Liberty Parks and Recreation Charitable Fund, 1600 S. Withers Road, Liberty, MO 64068.
his Liberty newspaper’s first edition rolled off the presses. He owned the paper for 39 years. In Smithville, the CT roots go back to 1888. In Kearney, the paper’s predecessors have a more than 85-year history. The CourierTribune’s current owner is St. Josephbased News-Press & Gazette Co. The main office is located at 104 Since 1846, Liberty has had a news- N. Main St., but also has an office in downtown Kearney at 102 W. paper operating under the motto, Washington St. “Willing to praise but not afraid to The CT’s print edition publishes blame.” It is the oldest continuously each Thursday, with additional published weekly newspaper west of news found online daily at the Mississippi River. www.MyCourierTribune.com. In February of 2017, the Liberty To contact the newsroom or sales Tribune merged with two of its sister staff, call 781-4941 or 454-9660. Email publications, The Kearney Courier news tips to news@mycouriertribune.com. and The Smithville Herald, to form Readers can also find the Tribune the CT. on Twitter (@myCTnews, @myCTsports) and The CT traces its lineage to Robert on Facebook (MyCourierTribune). Hugh Miller, who was just 19 when
COURIER-TRIBUNE
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