October 2014: Membership meeting was held at the Bonnie & Clyde Hideout 3347 1⁄2 Oak Ridge Drive. Brad Belk as our guest speaker
Dec: DickensFest 2014 with 3,000 guests. We partnered with the Scottish Rite Cathedral for our venue
February 2015: Unanimous vote by the Missouri Advisory Council approved the Murphysburg
March: Nominated Joplin Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year, Non-Profit Category
April: Sponsored a Joplin Chamber of Commerce banquet centerpiece
May: Historic Preservation Month HMP celebrated by participating with the Papaw- Patch Productions with a Ribbon cutting Step back in time to the 1940s as our cast re-create a fashion show that Joplin author Mabel Hobson Draper and friends offered to review her book, Though Long the Trail. The book described her mother’s pioneering life from traveling across the plains and living in a Kansas sod house, to navigating the random chat piles and gaping holes of the early mines in Joplin. Local women, dressed in original and reproduction clothing from the 1860s to the 1940s, shared selected readings from the book.
May: Murphysburg received a proclamation from the Mayor for National Historic Preservation Month Joplin City Hall, 602 S Main St. The Murphysburg Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 18 by the National Park Service. The district is roughly located between Sergeant and Pearl Avenues, and First and Seventh Streets.
May: Hosted social gathering for the quarterly meeting for the Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
June: Ribbon cutting for the nomination to the National Register of Historic Places at the Lennan House with 50 guests
June: National Register of Historic Places designation was finalized for the Expanded Murphysburg Historic District
October: HMP Board was represented at the annual MO Preservation Conference in Cape Girardeau
October 30 & 31: Mr. Charles Schifferdecker, Remembered & Revisited Tour at Schifferdecker Mansion and Schifferdecker
Gardens with over 500 guests. Partnered with Schifferdecker Golf Course and Mount Hope Cemetery, Heart of America Beverage Co., Joplin Homebrew Club and owners of the showcased historic homes. Reunited Schifferdecker family decedents. Applied and received a picnic liquor license for the beer gardens
Yearly: Christmas Wreaths and Flag installation on our street light poles. Created Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter accounts and Mail Chimp email blast. Managed the HMP web site communications. Continued our liability insurance coverage. Dedication to research pertaining to our events to expand the Joplin story
Awarded a Convention and Visitors Bureau Special Event grant for Heritage Tourism and a CVB Community Grant for Mr.
Charles Schifferdecker, Remembered & Revisited Tour
Numerous articles of community support in newspaper magazines, Joplin Citizen & Media
2017 Accomplishments
Historic Murphysburg Preservation invites you to
BECOME A NEW or RENEWED MEMBER. You may not realize the significance
of your membership and donations, but combined with all the other
memberships, it is the most dependable source of funding. Member’s
generosity allows HMP to make substantial progress in the historic district.
End of Year 2017 Accomplishments
OCTOBER – Tied pink & purple ribbons on parkway trees for breast cancer awareness &
domestic violence awareness month – partnered with Freeman Hospital & Lafayette House.
NOVEMBER – Designed a Murphysburg themed Christmas window at Joplin City Hall.
Annual Membership meeting was held at the Unity Church with guest speaker J.D. Colbert
on the 100-year-old murder cold case of Sam Adams at the Schifferdecker Caretaker House
(aka John Johnson House).
DECEMBER 8th – Bourbon Tasting at Scottish Rite Cathedral. Bus Tour of Haun’s &
Hogan’s House for the CVB. DECEMBER 9th – Home for the Holidays…in Murphysburg.
Thanks to the Hauns, Mosleys, Greenwoods, Hogans, Crawfords, Walters, and
Stephensons for generously opening their superbly decorated homes to approximately 600
ticket holders! Funded in part with a Convention & Visitors Bureau grant.
Y e a r 2 0 1 8 A c c o m p l i s h m e n t s
JANUARY – HMP was represented at community input meetings hosted by
Downtown Joplin Alliance.
MARCH – Women’s History Month on HMP’s website and several articles in the
Joplin Globe newspaper.
APRIL – Promoted the Red Cross/Joplin Fire Department smoke detector installation
campaign in Murphysburg. HMP was represented at the Missouri Route 66 monthly
meeting held in Joplin and at the relighting ceremony of the restored
Wilder’s Steak House neon sign. HMP was also represented at
Connect2Culture’s arts appreciation reception.
MAY – Staffed a booth at Third Thursday in celebration of
Historic Preservation Month. HMP was the City of Joplin’s registrar
for the Bob Yapp window restoration workshop. Collaborators were
Joplin Historical Neighborhoods, Inc., Joplin Historic Preservation
Commission, and Downtown Joplin Alliance.
JUNE – Installed temporary Route 66 flags and City of Joplin flags
along with HMP banners on Second Street near Moffet Avenue to
welcome the Bikes Across Missouri riders.
JULY – Partnered with Shackles Production on Joplin History Murder Mystery at the Scottish
Rite Cathedral.
AUGUST – HMP was represented at Joplin’s Arts & Culture Preview.
Kay Ellis | Emily Ellis | Kavan Stull | Bill Bader
OCTOBER – Purple Ribbons on Sergeant & Moffet parkway trees
for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Started the process to create a HMP scholarship for the National
History Day competition for a North Middle School student.
Hosted the annual
membership meeting at the
restored Hulbert 200 Block
Commons buildings with a
presentation by owners and
contractors Carolina and Jeff
Neal.
NOVEMBER – HMP depicted the 2005 foreign language film Joyeux Noel for the Joplin City
Hall window display theme of Winter Holiday in Cinema. The movie is about the 1914 World
War I Christmas Eve Truce. Special thanks to Kay Ellis and Emily Ellis (aka the Ellis Sisters)
for their historic re-enactments during the ceremonies, and Kavan Stull and Bill Bader for
their re-enactments, expertise, plus the loan of their WWI artifacts for the display. Funded in
part by the Joplin CVB. Everyone is encouraged to view the windows until January 2, 2019.
Veterans of Murphysburg History Project…Patriots Who Served
HMP will document what was happening during times of war in what is now the Historic
Murphysburg District. Click on the Event Tab at www.murphysburg.org to view four
stories released weekly leading up to December 26, 2018.
- David Tandy — Why was he awarded land in consideration of military service in what is
now Joplin and the current Murphysburg Historic District in early settlement years? - Mr. Charles Schifferdecker’s connection to the Spanish-American War.
- Mr. Lee Taylor, the American Civil War, the United Confederate Veterans (the South),
and the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) (veterans of the Union/North) before
Joplin received its charter. - The Tale of Joplin’s Two United Service Organizations (the USO) during World War II.
O N G O I N G
o Manage Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts, plus Mail Chimp email blasts.
o Manage communications (inquiries about houses for sale, etc.) on HMP’s web site.
o Continue HMP’s liability insurance coverage for special events
o Manage HMP’s inventory at Empire Market storage locker.
o Continue historical research using Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com, etc.
o Resolve the dialog with Empire District/Liberty Utilities to meet their new utility pole
specifications for a safe and secure display for banners, holiday wreaths, and flags.
Check out the lead story in the Show Me the Ozarks magazine!
Christmas in Murphysburg | December 2018
www.showmetheozarks.com
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2016
Historic Murphysburg Preservation invites you to become a member or renew your
membership. You may not realize the significance of your membership and donations, but
it, along with all the other memberships, are the most dependable source of funding. Member’s generosity
allows HMP to make substantial progress in the historic district.
JANUARY
HMP members represented Murphysburg as a stakeholder in the city-wide Historic
Preservation Plan; learn more at http://www.joplinmo.org/index.aspx?nid=119
MARCH
Hosted a St. Patrick’s Day Heritage Tourism Bus Tour; received
a “hosting fee” from Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau
MAY
Co-sponsored the First Friday Wine Share at the Scottish Rite
Cathedral; the accurately restored billiards room was the focus of the grand reveal; restoration by The
Neal Group
JUNE
● Curbside Recycling debuted in Murphysburg with a KSN TV Morning Show live broadcast
● Co-sponsored the Joplin Jewish Temple Centennial Open House; approximately 250 guests
attended; provided public education and received fantastic media coverage
● Old-Fashioned Neighborhood Ice Cream Social at Fifth and Sergeant; coordinated by Lori Haun
JULY
● Received CVB Grant Funds for marketing the 2017 Murphysburg Holiday Homes Tour
● Hired Choice Marketing to develop a new HMP logo, a new banner design, and develop Facebook
advertisements
● Received a community grant from CVB for the purchase of new banner brackets
● Designed new banner brackets and hired Allmetal Products for the fabrication
● Hired Sign Designs to print and install the new banners
● Participated in the Connect2Culture Arts & Economic Prosperity 5, which is an important study to
measure the economic impact of the arts and culture in Joplin
● HMP was represented at the Route 66 Association of Missouri meeting held at Joplin City Hall
● Connect2Culture Arts Roundtable: Joplin Arts Preview – HMP updated fellow arts and cultural
community organizations regarding our future events and gained partnerships within this
particular community
— over —
AUGUST
Partnered with Wildcat Glades 100th Anniversary celebration; HMP was represented in the history
tent with the Ellis Sisters interactive and educational customs of the 1900s; produced an
informational and artistically beautiful poster for the event; poster is now part of
the Nature Center’s history wall
OCTOBER
● Tied Pink Ribbons on Sergeant and Moffet parkway trees in recognition of
Breast Cancer Awareness Month; received great media coverage
● New Banners and Brackets installed in the Local and National Historic District
● Annual Membership Meeting held at the newly restored Morgan’s Grocery
Store at 505 West Second Street; Bill Caldwell with the Joplin Globe was the
guest speaker; hosted by Dr. Amykay Cole and Dr. Blake Webster
● Neighborhood gathering with food, pumpkin carving and fellowship at the
Henry Weyman House, 508 South Sergeant; hosted by Emily and Tom Walters
● Hired Choice Marketing to design and print the new educational
and promotional Murphysburg District brochure
DECEMBER
● Installed Christmas Wreaths at key district intersections
● Co-sponsored an Edwardian Tea at the Post Library; Virginia
● and Howard Hogan and the Ellis Sisters wore period costumes;
● Amy Kimble played the harp; an antique tea service, period clothing
● and accessories were on display; provided light snacks and public
● education, and of course . . . received good media coverage
● Started marketing for the HMP 2017 Holiday Homes Tour
ALL YEAR
● Hung the American Flag at key district intersections for various holidays
● Managed Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts, plus Mail Chimp email blasts
● Managed communications (such as inquiries about the Olivia) on HMP’s web site
● Continued HMP’s liability insurance coverage for special events
● Continued historical research in order to expand the Joplin and Murphysburg stories
Murphysburg ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2018
Historic Murphysburg Preservation invites you to become a member or renew your membership. You may not realize the significance of your membership and donations, but it, along with all the other memberships, are the most dependable source of funding. Member’s generosity allows HMP to make substantial progress in the historic district.
March
- Produced & distributed new, professionally produced “Walking-Driving Tour” brochure
- Represented historic preservation goals on Vision 2022 initiative committees
July
- Received CVB Grant Funds for Heritage Tourism
- C2C Arts Roundtable: Joplin Arts Preview — HMP spoke to the arts community regarding future HMP events and cultivated partnerships within this community
- Hosted a neighborhood meeting with the Joplin Police & Code Enforcement Departments
August
- Staffed an educational booth at Wildcat Glades 100th Anniversary Celebration & WaterFest; used an interactive informational and artistically beautiful poster for the event; poster is now on permanent display at the Nature Center
- HMP board and Brad Belk toured the Schifferdecker, A. H. Rogers, and Zelleken Homes; discussed Joplin Historic Neighborhoods, Inc. plans and how HMP can partner with David and Debra Humphreys and Mr. Belk. Murphysburg resident, Paula Callihan was asked to be on their board of directors.
September
- Sponsored the First Friday Wine Share at the Columbia Trader Building
- Installed flag pole brackets and flags on additional poles to mark the “National” Historic District
October
- Tied Pink & Purple Ribbons on Sergeant & Moffet parkway trees in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month; special thanks to block captains: Mary Ann Neff, Mindy Miller, Sarah Cracker-Nedwed, Ann Leach, Joan Howerton, and David Pommert; received television, newspaper, and social media coverage.
- Hosted a Bus Tour in conjunction with the CVB at Mark and Paula Callihan’s house
November –
- HMP attractions and events will be featured in one of the Joplin City Hall windows decorated for Christmas; unveiling is November 27 at 6 PM
- Annual Membership meeting was held at the Unity Church with a guest speaker J.D. Colbert on a 100 year old murder cold case of Sam Adams at the Schifferdecker Caretaker house
Get ready for December !
- December 8th Bourbon Tasting at the Scottish Rite Cathedral
- December 8th Bus Tour at The Haun’s and Hogan’s house in conjunction with the CVB
- December 9th Holiday Homes Tour; volunteers needed for docents and ticket sales
All Year – Engaged in discussions regarding the proposed Wilson-Hutton Historic District and North Heights Historic District; Installed Christmas Wreaths and Flags on local district street light poles; managed Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter accounts and Mail Chimp email blast; managed communications (such as inquiries about houses for sale) on the HMP web site; continued HMP’s liability insurance coverage; historical research continued in order to expand the Joplin story . . . Turn Page Over To Get Involved!
Your continued support enables HMP’s work to move forward on behalf of the historic district.
Membership renewals will help underwrite efforts to:
- Collect historical data and images to expand our information for a tourism booklet
- Educate the public and raise awareness of the historic district
- Encourage investment and homeownership in the neighborhood
- Investigate period street lighting
- Fund “Deck the Light Poles” (Wreaths, Banners, Flags)
We urge you to help promote the preservation of Joplin’s architectural heritage.
2023 ACCOMPLISHMENTS & ACTIVITIES
JANUARY
Continued the distribution of the coloring book, Coloring JOMO: Women Who Made Their Mark, walking tour brochures, and hand illustrated maps. Continued research on original and or significant owners of Murphysburg houses. Received Visit Joplin (formerly known as Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau) grant funding for HMP website updates.
MARCH
HMP promoted Women’s History Month by featuring two (unrelated) women that lived at 101 N. Sergeant in the early 1940s to late 1950s. Mary Kirk Kelly, as a professor at Joplin Junior College, started Model United Nations for students. They would travel to regional and national simulations which continues today; after retirement she became an internationally known ceramic artist. Dora Kneeland invented what came to be known as Williams Chili Seasoning and her son-in-law produced it in the garage before moving the operation to Webb City.
APRIL
Completed research on the Pearl Brothers House (101 S. Moffet) and requested a local historic marker sign. Continued advocacy for the rehabilitation or abatement of apartments at 117-121 S. Byers (built in May 1950) through direct conversations with Tyler Casey with ProX Management and City officials. Represented HMP at the Spring meeting of Missouri Route 66 Association and the Visit Joplin Tourism Connection regional meeting.
MAY
Partnered with Downtown Joplin Alliance’s Loft Tour. Presentation to City Council asking for historic street name signs. Provided Mt. Hope Cemetery with QR codes for 50 original Murphysburg residents interred at the cemetery. Staffed a booth at DJA’s Third Thursday.
JUNE
Represented HMP at the annual Missouri Preservation Conference held in Joplin. Staffed a booth at DJA’s Third Thursday.
JULY
Partnered with the Scottish Rite Cathedral to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the building. Staffed a booth at DJA’s Third Thursday.
AUGUST
Facilitated a feature story & photographs of Murphysburg walking tour in the 417 Magazine.
OCTOBER
Hosted the annual membership appreciation meeting at the Cornell Complex with guest speaker Neely Meyers, Science Center Creative Learning Alliance director. Staffed a booth at DJA’s Third Thursday.
NOVEMBER
Installed Christmas Wreaths on Murphysburg District utility poles. Monitored HMP’s “Giving Tuesday” donation website. Guest appearance on MSSU TV Newsmaker show.
DECEMBER
Conducted the Austin Allen, the Architect — Remembered historic building tour and lecture which was co-sponsored by Visit Joplin and Joplin Celebrations Commission. Received a Visit Joplin grant to pay for production of a booklet featuring Murphysburg District houses. Continued dialogue with City officials to save 130 S. Moffet, the Albert Newman House from demolition.
ONGOING
- Manage Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Mail Chimp, HMP website, liability insurance, storage unit, and more.
- Manage communications, inquiries about houses for sale, Joplin history & media inquiries.
- Conduct historical research using Ancestry.com, Find-a-Grave, Newspapers.com, etc.
- Interface with North Heights Neighborhood Group, Downtown Joplin Alliance, City of Joplin, Joplin Historical Neighborhoods, Inc., Connect 2 Culture, Bluehaven Homes & Bykota, REI (the Olivia Apartments) and many other community organizations/projects.
- Welcomed new Murphysburg homeowners with historical documentation on their house and general HMP membership information.