Preserving the history and culture of the Ozarks is the charge of the Library’s Local History & Genealogy Department. Experience stories of people, places and events that shaped the region and discover how those stories are being preserved and shared.
Molly Healey in Concert
Monday, May 4, 7 p.m. in the Library Center Hatch Auditorium
Molly Healey, longtime fiddle player for the Ozark Mountain Daredevils turned experimental songwriter, began her solo career in 2015 with a simple looping pedal. She has since developed a unique sound of atmospheric, orchestral folk that blends strings, voice and rich instrumentation. Hear Molly solo as she performs a mix of originals and select covers that are cinematic, immersive and rooted in folk, rock and classical traditions. Albums and merchandise will be available for purchase and signing. Registration starts April 6.
The Truth Ain't in Us: Mythology and the Mythological Ozarks
Thursday, May 7, 7 p.m. in the Library Center Hatch Auditorium.
The folklore and oral traditions of the Ozarks contain stories and legends that comprise a regional mythology. The region has also been mythologized by outsiders for generations, leaving it shrouded in both local legends and national stereotypes. Brooks Blevins explores some of the area’s more colorful mythological elements while exposing national myths about the Ozarks and its people. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Registration starts April 6.
The Bottomless Well of Water Street
Tuesday, May 12, 7 p.m. in the Library Center Annie Busch Auditorium.
A 1909 newspaper story about John Polk Campbell’s “bottomless well” sparked a search for Springfield’s founding site. Local History Associate Brandon Broughton will share his exploration through archives, maps and the muddy depths of downtown Springfield to uncover the lost birthplace of the Queen City of the Ozarks.
Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America
Thursday, May 14, 7 p.m. in the Library Center Annie Busch Auditorium.
Branson, Missouri, can be seen as a political, religious and cultural symbol of an enduring American ideal, inspiring polarizing views: some call it “God’s Country,” for others, it’s “as close to Hell as anything on Earth.” Joanna Dee Das, author of “Faith, Family, and Flag: Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America,” examines the Branson entertainment industry in the context of America’s long-running culture wars, showing how a town known for popular entertainment became central to the political right’s vision for the nation. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
A Walking Tour of Maple Park Cemetery
Thursday, May 21, 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Maple Park Cemetery, 300 W. Grand St.
Enjoy a stroll through Maple Park Cemetery while learning about the lives of notable residents who contributed to Springfield’s colorful history. Each tour is limited to 20 participants. Registration starts May 7.
Jewish History Walking Tour
Tuesday, May 26, 6:30 p.m. at the History Museum on the Square, 154 Park Central Square.
Explore Jewish history in downtown Springfield with Dr. Mara Cohen Ioannides on a one-hour walking tour, uncovering the stories of Jewish-owned businesses and the families who helped shape the Square’s history. Presented in partnership with the History Museum on the Square.
Bloody Bill & the History of Civil War Guerrilla Violence
Thursday, May 28, 7 p.m. in the Library Center Hatch Auditorium.
“Hope Never to See It” illustrates two exceptional incidents of occupational and guerrilla violence in Missouri during the Civil War. The first follows a Union spy’s two-week murder spree targeting civilians, and the second details proConfederate guerrillas’ mutilation of nearly 150 U.S. troops. Author and Middle Tennessee State University professor Andrew Fialka delves into the lives of the men involved, including “Bloody” Bill Anderson, and shows how the book’s sequential art presents these grisly events, curbing the war’s glorification while prompting reflection and reconciliation. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Registration required.
The Truth Ain't in Us: Mythology and the Mythological Ozarks
Thursday, May 7, 7 p.m. in the Library Center Hatch Auditorium.
Thursday, May 7, 7 p.m. in the Library Center Hatch Auditorium.
The folklore and oral traditions of the Ozarks contain stories and legends that comprise a regional mythology. The region has also been mythologized by outsiders for generations, leaving it shrouded in both local legends and national stereotypes. Brooks Blevins explores some of the area’s more colorful mythological elements while exposing national myths about the Ozarks and its people. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Registration starts April 6.
Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America
Thursday, May 14, 7 p.m. in the Library Center Annie Busch Auditorium.
Thursday, May 14, 7 p.m. in the Library Center Annie Busch Auditorium.
Branson, Missouri, can be seen as a political, religious and cultural symbol of an enduring American ideal, inspiring polarizing views: some call it “God’s Country,” for others, it’s “as close to Hell as anything on Earth.” Joanna Dee Das, author of “Faith, Family, and Flag: Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America,” examines the Branson entertainment industry in the context of America’s long-running culture wars, showing how a town known for popular entertainment became central to the political right’s vision for the nation. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
A Walking Tour of Maple Park Cemetery
Thursday, May 21, 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Maple Park Cemetery, 300 W. Grand St.
Enjoy a stroll through Maple Park Cemetery while learning about the lives of notable residents who contributed to Springfield’s colorful history. Each tour is limited to 20 participants. Registration starts May 7.
Jewish History Walking Tour
Tuesday, May 26, 6:30 p.m. at the History Museum on the Square, 154 Park Central Square.
Explore Jewish history in downtown Springfield with Dr. Mara Cohen Ioannides on a one-hour walking tour, uncovering the stories of Jewish-owned businesses and the families who helped shape the Square’s history. Presented in partnership with the History Museum on the Square.
Bloody Bill & the History of Civil War Guerrilla Violence
Thursday, May 28, 7 p.m. in the Library Center Hatch Auditorium.
“Hope Never to See It” illustrates two exceptional incidents of occupational and guerrilla violence in Missouri during the Civil War. The first follows a Union spy’s two-week murder spree targeting civilians, and the second details proConfederate guerrillas’ mutilation of nearly 150 U.S. troops. Author and Middle Tennessee State University professor Andrew Fialka delves into the lives of the men involved, including “Bloody” Bill Anderson, and shows how the book’s sequential art presents these grisly events, curbing the war’s glorification while prompting reflection and reconciliation. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Registration required.
The Truth Ain't in Us: Mythology and the Mythological Ozarks
Thursday, May 7, 7 p.m. in the Library Center Hatch Auditorium.
The folklore and oral traditions of the Ozarks contain stories and legends that comprise a regional mythology. The region has also been mythologized by outsiders for generations, leaving it shrouded in both local legends and national stereotypes. Brooks Blevins explores some of the area’s more colorful mythological elements while exposing national myths about the Ozarks and its people. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Registration starts April 6.
The Bottomless Well of Water Street
Tuesday, May 12, 7 p.m. in the Library Center Annie Busch Auditorium.
A 1909 newspaper story about John Polk Campbell’s “bottomless well” sparked a search for Springfield’s founding site. Local History Associate Brandon Broughton will share his exploration through archives, maps and the muddy depths of downtown Springfield to uncover the lost birthplace of the Queen City of the Ozarks.
Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America
Thursday, May 14, 7 p.m. in the Library Center Annie Busch Auditorium.
Branson, Missouri, can be seen as a political, religious and cultural symbol of an enduring American ideal, inspiring polarizing views: some call it “God’s Country,” for others, it’s “as close to Hell as anything on Earth.” Joanna Dee Das, author of “Faith, Family, and Flag: Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America,” examines the Branson entertainment industry in the context of America’s long-running culture wars, showing how a town known for popular entertainment became central to the political right’s vision for the nation. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
A Walking Tour of Maple Park Cemetery
Thursday, May 21, 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Maple Park Cemetery, 300 W. Grand St.
Enjoy a stroll through Maple Park Cemetery while learning about the lives of notable residents who contributed to Springfield’s colorful history. Each tour is limited to 20 participants. Registration starts May 7.
Jewish History Walking Tour
Tuesday, May 26, 6:30 p.m. at the History Museum on the Square, 154 Park Central Square.
Explore Jewish history in downtown Springfield with Dr. Mara Cohen Ioannides on a one-hour walking tour, uncovering the stories of Jewish-owned businesses and the families who helped shape the Square’s history. Presented in partnership with the History Museum on the Square.
Bloody Bill & the History of Civil War Guerrilla Violence
Thursday, May 28, 7 p.m. in the Library Center Hatch Auditorium.
“Hope Never to See It” illustrates two exceptional incidents of occupational and guerrilla violence in Missouri during the Civil War. The first follows a Union spy’s two-week murder spree targeting civilians, and the second details proConfederate guerrillas’ mutilation of nearly 150 U.S. troops. Author and Middle Tennessee State University professor Andrew Fialka delves into the lives of the men involved, including “Bloody” Bill Anderson, and shows how the book’s sequential art presents these grisly events, curbing the war’s glorification while prompting reflection and reconciliation. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Registration required.
Like this series? Love the Ozarks? Consider making a donation to the Library Foundation’s Preserving Ozarks History Endowment. Gifts to the fund make it possible for the Local History & Genealogy Department to continue preserving the rich history and culture of the Ozarks.
Visit foundation.thelibrary.org for more information.