Celebrating National Historic Districts & Places That Matter

James & Mary Anne Dangerfield House

405 S. Moffet Avenue circa 1890 | Queen Anne

James H. Dangerfield (1842-1909 MH) and his wife Mary Anne Newman Dangerfield (1842-1908 MH) were born in England. After moving to Joplin, James engaged in mining and later launched a real estate business which grew to include loans, insurance, rentals, collections, leases on mining land, and construction. James’s office was at this house. Their son, Edward Dangerfield (1870-1955 MH) and his wife Blanch lived here with (and later without) his parents. Edward was active in the father/son duo’s business. Edward was a director of Mount Hope Cemetery and one of the founders. Edward married second wife Alma Smith (1879-1964 MH) in 1920.

Tea & Scandals story

Tea & Scandals… An afternoon Tea with a Twist at the Dangerfield House

The recently restored historic Dangerfield house at 405 South Moffet Avenue, in Joplin’s Murphysburg Historic District, will once again host an afternoon tea—mimicking a social event that was held there over a century ago.

Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. (HMP)l hosted two afternoon teas on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 12 noon and again at 3:00 p.m. All guests were be treated to a tour and historic account of the house decorated for the holidays. The event was more than just a selection of teas with delectable traditional English finger foods and delicacies—this even also included tales of scandals that enveloped the Dangerfield family! What is a society gathering without a little neighborhood gossip?

In august of 1908 Mrs. Blanch Dangerfield (the daughter in law of the original owners of the James Dangerfield home) hosted a fifty person tea party here for the who’s who of turn of the century Joplin. It was a well regarded event described in social circles as an elegant affair. However the success of this gathering could not predict the utter chaos that would befall the family mere months later. By the end of 1909 both James and Mary Ann Dangerfield would be dead, in the next year their son in law charged and convicted of embezzlement from Mt Hope cemetery, adultery and the scandals of divorce from both progeny of the Dangerfields would shock the city and seal the family’s downfall.

Tea & Scandals: After Dark Speakeasy

If tea is not your thing, there was also be a separate ticketed “speakeasy event” at 6:00 p.m. All guests were treated to a tour and historic account of the house while enjoying the holiday decorations, $20 per person. A complimentary beverage was offered. Tea & Scandals: After Dark Speakeasy was a come-go event, While having a signature drink with new friends you will learn about  tales of scandals that enveloped the Dangerfield family!