Celebrating National Historic Districts & Places That Matter

HISTORY—Because That’s What We Do

“Celebrating the Architecture & History of the Houses in the Murphysburg Historic District” booklet (printed & electronic version) will be released around January 2025 and will feature 58 properties in the district.

Conducted historical research for the new owner of the Cosgrove Building (former Spiva Center for the Arts) and a house in the North Heights Neighborhood. 

Assisted in gaining historic designation and signage for homeowners.

HMP annual meeting featured Sherwood/Rader Farm Civil War Memorial Park and the future monument offering the Union perspective on the Battle of Carthage.  The monument is to be installed at the Jasper County Courthouse and will complement the Sons of Confederate Veterans existing monument.

HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS

Check out the new Jefferson Highway Wayfinder sign at 4th Street & Moffet Avenue.

Plans are underway for the 100th anniversary of Route 66 (West 7th Street) in 2026 via the City’s Celebration Commission for Historic Route 66.

Submitted a story to the National Trust for Historic Preservation “Preserve Route 66: Share Your Story” campaign about the George N. Spiva House (611 S. Sergeant) and the district as a Route 66 Complementary Corridor.  Mr. Spiva was the first vice-president of the Missouri 66 Highway Association. 

HMP attended Byways Leadership Training Program hosted by Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB).

Represented HMP at the Route 66 Association of Missouri membership meeting.

SPECIAL DAYS ON THE CALENDAR

International Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27 –  Presented the story about two Jewish brothers that survived Nazi terrorism in Berlin, Germany during World War II and found a new life at 204 S. Jackson in Joplin.  Media coverage included KGCS TV Newsmaker show, KSN TV Living Well show & evening news broadcast, KOAM TV news, the Joplin Globe, and KRPS Radio.  Full story is on HMP website.

Women’s History Month – In March, HMP revealed the untold story of three women who discovered an abandoned baby in the bushes at 219 S. Sergeant in 1945—a mystery that is still unsolved today!  Photograph and story were featured in the Joplin Globe.  Full story is on HMP website.  The story also explains better alternatives available in 2024 such as the new “Safe Haven Baby Box” at Joplin Fire Station No. 7. 

Historic Preservation Month in May-People Saving Places – HMP honored five homeowners of houses that were 120 and 125 years old.  Full story is on HMP website.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day, October 14 – Read about the life of Jere Charlow, the original owner of 101 S. Sergeant, on the HMP website.  A member of the Sioux Tribe, Jere graduated in 1898 from the Haskell Institute that was a residential boarding school in Lawrence, Kansas for American Indian children.  In Joplin, Jere was a bookkeeper for Picher Lead Company.  When Jere and family left Joplin, he become a clerk with the U. S. Indian Service-Cheyenne Agency in Dewey, South Dakota.  Upon his death, he was a special disbursement agent for the U. S. Government Interior Department in Lansing, Michigan.

Murphysburg Holiday Wreaths, hung on street light poles for November and December 2024.

JOPLIN CITY GOVERNMENT STUFF

  • Connected our neighbors to the Joplin Homeowner Rehabilitation Program-2 (JHRP-2)
  • Facilitated non-traditional public service announcement for the Joplin Police Department about Porch Pirates during the holidays. regarding financial assistance. 
  • Hosted a public meeting for the Joplin Homeowners Assistance Program (JHAP).
  • Wrote a letter of support for the HUD Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant.
  •  Hosted a public meeting for Joplin’s Capital Improvement Sales Tax Renewal. Represented the district at CVB’s “Tourism Connection Gathering.”

Assisted in the Downtown Joplin Alliance loft tour.  Represented the district at the Connect2Culture Annual Gathering.

  • Manage communications, inquiries about houses for sale, Joplin history & media inquiries. 
  • Welcomed new Murphysburg homeowners with historical documentation on their house and general HMP membership information. Qualified for donation sources such as Benevity.
  • Interface with North Heights Neighborhood Group, Downtown Joplin Alliance, City of Joplin, Joplin Historical Neighborhoods, Inc., Connect 2 Culture, Blue Haven 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. Qualified for donation sources such as Benevity.
  • Manage Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Mail Chimp, HMP website, liability
    insurance, storage unit, and more

FUTURE PROJECT

Tactile exhibit aimed at engaging neurodivergent citizens in historic architectural elements.


Volunteers are needed for HMP 2025 Third Saturday FUNDRAISERS

  • March 15: Celebrating St Pats Day with a Porches, Pillars and Past Architectural Walking Tour
  • May 17: High Tea Steeped in Murphysburg History
  • September 20: Whisky & Whispers Murphysburg Prohibition Night
  • October 18: Murphysburg After Dark : Tales of Spirits and Secrets
  • December 20: A Murphysburg Christmas Candles, Carols and Timeless Charm