• John Ralls Donation: Work continues as we transcribe the many documents donated by the Ralls family.  A transcription of one document, the (auto)biography of John Ralls, was shared and will be available on our Facebook page and webpage.  The donated gun also needs to be evaluated, and someone suggested asking Jim Shoemate to review the gun.  Delores will contact Jim.

• Fort Mason Project:  The footing and foundation is complete, and soon, the concrete slab will be poured.  The project is currently in need of the final $3,500 necessary to make this monument a reality.  Work continues on the site of the monument.  Donations may be made to the County of Ralls, PO Box 400, New London, MO 63459.  Please include “Fort Mason Monument Project” in the memo.  Questions may be emailed to bdexhei@gmail.com.

• Center Depot Request:  An individual contacted the City of Center and RCHS inquiring about parking a food truck at the Center Depot, possibly opening the depot for viewing.  The individual shared they would pay the utilities for the depot. After a discussion, the group's consensus is that while having a food truck in Center would be wonderful, we feel it is important that anytime the depot is open, a responsible adult is inside the depot to share the depot's story and ensure the artifacts are protected. The depot's restoration has been a partnership between the City of Center and RCHS for many years, going back more than 30 years.  The depot's interior and exterior were carefully planned, and we want to ensure the work is honored.  We are so thankful that Sharon Lake secured the funding to complete the project.  We genuinely hope that events will be held at the depot, but always under the close supervision of a member of the City or RCHS with the purpose of preserving, honoring, and celebrating our county's history.  That said, RCHS does not feel it is our decision whether the food truck is allowed. While vested in the depot, we don't own the property or pay the insurance or utilities. If someone were injured on the property, it would not be RCHS that is held accountable.  Delores will follow up with Dennis McMillen and, if needed, will attend a Council Meeting to share this information.

• Missouri Mule Museum:  RCHS signed an agreement with Jimmie and Jeanie Gay to work in partnership to purchase the building that will be used to bring the Missouri Mule Museum to Perry.  The purchase of “Western Auto” will occur soon, with funds for the purchase and initial work already in RCHS’s checking account.  The partnership ensures that even when Jimmie and Jeanie Gay are gone, funds will be provided to RCHS for the mule museum’s upkeep, including insurance, utilities, and other incidentals.  This project will help the financial needs of RCHS, as after the museum is functioning, RCHS will have space to move some of our library and museum items to the building, freeing up the need to pay rent and utilities on the current library.  RCHS will continue to rent the current building from Anthony Elam until the process is complete and items are ready to move, which may be some time.  RCHS is very appreciative of Anthony, as he has always been willing to work with us to make sure that the museum and library have a place in the county.  

• Perry Bank Restoration:  Patti Tinsley has agreed to refinish the counter that John Hawkins donated to the Perry Bank, which was moved to Perry Park in 2002.  While not original to the Perry Bank, it is in keeping with the time period.  The carousel group removed the signage from when the carousel was first returned to Perry and will keep this at the carousel.  We continue to search for a picture of the bank in its original location.

• Adult History Preservation:  When someone passes away, an entire library of memory and information is lost.  Delores shared that she and Carolyn Trower would like to develop some guidelines and opportunities for community members to interview elderly residents to record their history, along with the county's history.  The group agreed this is a good project, and more information will be shared at the October meeting.

• Preserving County Documents and other artifacts:  Delores contacted the Missouri State Historical Society about preserving the newspapers that are housed in the former jail.  They sent back a list of Ralls County newspapers that have currently been preserved on microfiche.  Once the jail is suitable for entry, someone will compare the newspapers in the jail with the list of already preserved items, and decisions will need to be made about how to proceed.  Delores also asked about preservation opportunities to save the World War I documents that Tara Comer has in the Collector’s vault.  Delores will work with Brandy and Tara to try to write a grant to secure funding for the preservation of documents that are available at the courthouse.

• Membership Drive: To date, RCHS has received 8 individual memberships, 19 family memberships, and 6 business memberships.  To ensure more people know about RCHS, today’s meeting was listed in the Ralls-Monroe newspaper and on WGEM’s Community Bulletin Board.  Delores tried to get it listed in the Hannibal newspaper, but couldn’t get it figured out.  Anyone who has information about how to list events in the Hannibal paper or website, or anywhere else, please share this information with Delores.  We need to get our business stickers to businesses that have paid their 2024 dues.

• Fundraiser Options:  The Chili Cookoff remains a likely fundraiser idea.  Brandy Flynn shared information about a Mom Prom with a decade/era theme.  Brandy will spearhead the Mom Prom and keep us updated.  Cindy mentioned the option of selling a calendar, which could be done this year.  The possibility of selling American flags was discussed, and we need to check to ensure that the VFW does not already provide this service.  From this discussion, we discussed the possibility of developing a Ralls County flag as a fundraiser.  Also, Bill mentioned that sometimes billboard owners will donate their space for a period of time.  This would be a great opportunity to help spread the word about RCHS and its activities.  RCHS submitted an application for a $500 Brownlee grant to the State Historical Society of Missouri.  Bill shared that the Quincy Community Foundation provided $1,000 toward Fort Mason, and this organization might be able to assist with RCHS’s projects. 

• Volunteers: We continue to need volunteers for various projects.  Ron reached out to Judge Mobley, and at this time, there are not community service workers available.  To learn more about volunteer opportunities,  please contact Ron at 573-248-7445. RCHS is also approved as a host site for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).  SCSEP is a work-based training program for older Americans to build/enhance/update job skills to be able to look for and find a job. To be eligible, SCSEP applicants must be at least 55 years old, unemployed, meet the income requirements, have low employment prospects, and need job skills training.  Visit the website below for more information and to apply: ttps://ser-national.org/.../scsep-application-for-services/  

• Communication: Delores shared that there is a large poster highlighting the nine National Registry locations in Ralls County, and Brandy agreed to hang the poster at the Courthouse for some time.  Delores shared that in the newsletters that RCHS used to distribute, displays of the county’s history used to be featured in businesses and at events throughout the county. We will use Remind to share information about the Historical Society, including meeting information. To sign up, text @chk3kad to 81010. If you’re having trouble with 81010, try texting @chk3kad to (415) 749-9891. Standard text message rates apply.  

• Taxes and Other Paperwork:The sales tax exemption application will be mailed today.

• Impact Statement: A draft copy of the impact was shared and discussed.  Since this is our first impact statement, information for it was taken from the many newsletters that Ron prepared and distributed since about 2000. The draft copy will now become our final copy. Next year, we will begin to develop a 2024 Impact Statement to highlight this year’s achievements and contributions.

• Clothing:  Delores has asked South Lake Design to propose polos and t-shirts featuring the Ralls County Historical Society. As soon as she receives the information, she will share it at a monthly meeting.

• Student Internship Program Proposal:  The proposal was again reviewed.  If we can find someone to sponsor a scholarship fund for participants, we will offer at least one scholarship each year.  Jeanie Gay made a motion to approve the Student Internship Program.  Bill Dexheimer seconded. Motion passed.

• Area Historical Society Conference:  For several years, we have tried to organize a meeting of individuals from area historical societies, and the group decided to try once again.  Brandy Flynn said that the conference room at the courthouse will hold approximately 50 people, and she is also willing to find someone to cater the event.  More plans will be shared at next month’s meeting.  Possible topics include printing, generating money, policies regarding accepting donations of information and artifacts, methods for inventorying resources, fundraiging, and marketing.  Regarding printing, the group brainstormed possible publisher options, including Amazon, Arcadia Historical Publications, On Press, Shutterfly, and Quick Print. Brad Stinson shared a variety of online printing options.  Delores will work with Brandy to find a date for this event.

• Establishing an online money collection system: To make it easier for people to pay membership dues and make donations, RCHS may need to look at setting up an online money transfer service, such as Paypal and/or Venmo.  While both services charge fees, this may be an option to capture a new audience and additional revenue.  More information will be shared next month.

• Payment of Bills with Receipts:  A bill and receipt from LaCrosse Lumber Company for $30.15 for a step ladder was presented, along with a bill and receipt for reimbursement to Delores for the postage to mail the membership drive information for $82.82.  Mary Jackson made a motion to approve payment of these bills, and Bill Dexheimer seconded.  Motion passed.

• Public Outreach Opportunities

  • Our 50th year anniversary will be in 2026 or 2027, and we need to start planning soon.  Delores apologized for the late notice on the yard sale, which creeped up faster than anticipated.  The next county event is Harvest Fest in Perry on October 12, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Sandi volunteered to man this display. Other upcoming events include:

    • Perry Holiday Market, Nov. 23

    • Perry Small Town Christmas, December 7 

    • Perry Trivia Night (March 2025)

    • Perry All Town Garage Sales (May 23-24, 2025)

    • Perry Easter Egg Hunt (April 19, 2025)

    • Center Easter Egg Hunt (April 19, 2025

    • New London Park Days (June 6-7, 2025)

    • Perry Parking Lot Party (June 2025)

    • Perry Fourth of July (July 4, 2025)

    • Center Park Day (August 1-2, 2025)

    • Perry All Town Garage Sales (August 29-30, 2025)

Financial Information as of 7/31/2024:  Ending balance $75,529.60  Missouri Mule Museum balance=$70,000.  RCHS General Ledger balance=$5,529.60.

President’s Update:  Ron thanks everyone for attending, and thanks everyone who has reached out in recent months to either help with RCHS or seek out its resources. He encouraged those in attendance to spread the word about our meetings and our work.    Ron would like to host meetings and opportunities with guest speakers, with the meetings held throughout the county.  If someone would like to provide Ron with a refresher course in using the scanner, he would be very appreciative.  Bill mentioned the need for committees, and this will be a topic at next month’s meeting.  While we didn’t mention it at the meeting, we do want to welcome Gina Jameson as a Director representing the Spencer Township.  Thank you, Gina, for volunteering for this responsibility!

Executive Committee (15 members): Blank spots below indicate vacancies in our executive committee that we need to fill.  If you are interested in being a representative on the executive committee, please contact Delores Woodhurst at 573-248-7445 or dvwoodhurst@gmail.com.

• Officers (5)

  • President: Ron Leake

  • Vice-President:  Delores Woodhurst

  • Secretary:  Carolyn Trower

  • Treasurer: Sharon Lake

  • Historian: 

• Directors (10)

  • Center Township: 

  • Spencer Township: Gina Jameson

  • Salt River Township:  Cindy Lynn

  • Jasper Township: Lola McDonald

  • Saline Township: 

  • Clay Township: 

  • Saverton Township: Bill Dexheimer 

  • Perry:  Jeanie Gay 

  • Center: Mary Jackson

  • New London: Brad Stinson

Next Meeting: RCHS's next meeting will be Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Perry City Hall. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. The meeting adjourned at 11:22 a.m.

February 2023 Newsletter:  Click here!

Click here to see all photos and videos from the 2023 lasagna supper!

Physical Address:

Ralls County Historical Museum 

105 East Main Street

Perry, MO 63462

Ralls County Historical Library

124 East Main Street

Perry, MO 63462

Mailing Address:

Ralls County, Missouri Historical Society

PO Box 463

Perry, MO 63462