Free complimentary copy May 13, 2016 • Volume 3, No. 29
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Raytown Historical Society celebrates 50 years By Kris Collins The Raytown Historical Society is celebrating its 50-year anniversary this year. In the museum near 63rd Street and Raytown Road, one can find relics from a time long passed, the storied history of the three famous trails passing through town or photographs showing daily life in another decade, but perhaps the most important role - and a never-ending one - that the museum serves is that of research center. Larry Short, president of the
photos and stories from our past, even though the originals would be burned up, our insurance would cover reproduction. That was a big goal for the past 15 years, to get things backed up and stored off-site so they’re protected forever. That should be the goal for any historical group.” The historical society, a nonprofit, was founded in 1966 under the sponsorship of the Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce. Short has been involved with the group since 1987. The historical society
A parade passes over a wooden bridge, 1929
3-Trails Corridor Partnership and Treasurer of the Raytown Historical Society, said the museum has always served as a source for information but the means to record and preserve it have changed. “We’ve got printers and scanners. People are willing to bring up copies of these things that they would never let us have before,” he said. “We’ve been able to collect so much more.” Short said the museum is able to record and store original photos that were previously on display. The light, he said, can damage the photos over time. This way, the items can be preserved and the public can still enjoy the history of Raytown. “A lot of that stuff in irreplaceable,” he said. “If something happen to that building a lot of the old items may be destroyed, but our
bought the first fire station No. 1 in Raytown in 1981 for $50,000, Short said. The building, which was built in 1944, required some work. “Our volunteers went to work, and we had so many, like Joe Herndon, superintendent of schools,” Short said. “He was so involved up there. He was darn good with a hammer, too.” The historical society officially celebrated the half-century anniversary in April with a dinner, which Short said was well attended and included five of the original charter members (one of which was Roberta Bonnewitz, who turned 105 in late April), but the celebration is to be had inside the walls of the museum. “Raytown is one of the few areas that has three distinctive sites certified by the National Parks Service – the Raytown Historical Museum
is a certified interpretive center, the Archibald Rice home and then Cave Spring at Barnes Enclosure,” short said, “both of those are certified historical sites.” The certified interpretive designation is given to entities that help tell the stories surrounding a historical site. Additionally, the original routes of the three famous trails, the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California National Historic Trails, go right through Raytown. Technology has changed the way people absorb the wealth of knowledge compiled at the museum, too. The historical society’s ambassador program has allowed more information to come into the museum and technological advancements have allowed the museum to preserved and compile the information comprehensively. “When people find out we’re doing stories on their families they want to make sure it’s correct, too,” Short said. “They bring in photographs and letters and they’ve allowed us to scan these items because they’re family heirlooms. We’ve developed a tremendous research center on the history of Raytown going from the very earliest settlers in 1836.” GPS has also allowed people to experience the trails differently. Short said hikers and explorers can use GPS to track down exact sites and geocaches that have been planted along to trails. “We’re not just an old, stale, smelly, relic-building,” he said. “It’s a nice museum with something for everybody in there. I’ve been all over the country. This is one of the finest small-town museums in the nation bar none. “The first goal, of course, was getting a building of our own. Now we‘re evolving into the technology side of it, sharing it with a new generation via their methods. You get a group of kids in there and sometimes you wonder if they’re listening to you because they’re doing their iPhones during the tours, but it’s amazing how much they pick up. We’ve come a long way in 50 years.” The museum has seen challenges along the way. It has needed a new roof, other expensive renovations had to completed, and the money
Photos courtesy Raytown Historical Society Raytown Depot, 1916.
for all of it had to be rounded up. The historical society has been able to so thus far, Short said, because of the membership base. “The members have always come through and provided funding,” he said. “It’s an ongoing challenge. I’m the treasurer, so I see every bill. It’s an ongoing challenge to raise funds to maintain the building.” And the membership levels have remained strong. The historical so-
mation will be stored in the museum 50 years from now is anyone’s guess. Short can name at least two. In 2021, he said, the historical society will be actively involved in the 200th anniversary of the statehood of Missouri. The same year will serve as the 200th anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail. “History is ongoing. Every day, every week, every month we’re creating new history,” Short said. “That’s where we have to keep up
Old fire station No. 1
ciety has approximately 268 members. “The retention rate is good because they see the value in what we’re doing here,” Short said. What exciting events and infor-
with it at the historical society. We need to keep up with the stories and pictures of development to maintain for future generations. We’re going to be doing this for a long time, or somebody will.”
Marketing committee aims to promote Raytown, pen new slogan By Kris Collins The Raytown Marketing Committee is looking to get the word out on Raytown, and maybe give it a catchy new slogan. The committee was formed as a result of a goal-setting session the aldermen held in the fall of 2015. The majority of the aldermen at the time expressed his or her desire for such a committee. Cara James, the committee chairwoman, said the benefits of marketing the city are many. “As a citizen, which is how I’m
representing the board, I’m invested in Raytown by purchasing my home there,” she said. “I’m invested by raising my children there. I think everybody experienced in 2008 and 2009, with the market — we’ve all lost equity. There’s some financial reasons there, as well. “More than anything I think it’s important to be proud of where you live, promote where you live and really bind the community together.” The overall goal of the committee is to promote the city through
the metro area. The city’s current slogan is “Reaching for Tomorrow.” “Essentially, we’re beyond that,” James said. The committee is made up of business owners in the community and residents at-large. Four liaisons
with no voting power also sit on the committee. The committee members are: Andrew Loos, Pam Clark, Mike Crawford, Chris Payne, Sue Frank, Michael Crane, Angel Abercrombie, Jamie Davis, and Dominique Tyson. The liaisons are: Alderman Josh Greene; John Benson, city of Raytown; Steve Guenther, Raytown Main Street Association; and Vicki Turnbow, Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce. “I think it’s a really great mix of perspective and ideas,” James said
Markley. “Why can’t we use it for more than just 8 to 3?” The planning is still in its infancy. It’s unclear what programs could be offered, when they could be offered, or what the cost may be. That all, Markley said, relies on the interests of the adults in the community and industry demands.
The district plans to send out surveys over the summer to gauge interest, and the school has an advisory board comprised of people in such industries that let the district know what kinds of skills or qualities employers are looking for in employees. The decision to use the Hern-
of the committee members. “Having such a great mix of perspectives is, in my opinion, the smartest thing you can do for a marketing committee when you’re ultimately going to roll out a blanket idea such as a tagline. It needs to reach every type of person in terms of passions, walks of like, what the city means to them. It’s certainly a committee of strong members with lots of experience.” The 10-member committee has already met twice. Its next meeting is slated for 6 p.m. May 25 at City Hall.
Raytown schools mull adult night school By Kris Collins The Raytown C-2 School District is looking to get more out of the Herndon Career Center. The Herndon Center currently educations Raytown high school students - and students from a few surrounding districts - on trades
like graphic art, automotive technology, welding, or cosmetology, but the district is in the process of examining what benefits may come from offering adult night school. “We have a facility here that creates careers for secondary education kids, and we have a great facility,” said Superintendent Allan
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don Center to educate adults is twofold, and Markley will tell you it’s somewhat selfish. “I always have a manipulative goal that has something in it for me in the end,” he said. “The in-it-forme is kids in school that are ready to learn. That’s the key.”
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