Missouri and MSU: The Deep Dark Secrets of the Cave State
Join us Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 7pm Central time as we continue to celebrate Missouri’s Bicentennial. This is the fifth of six webinars scheduled in 2021. Missouri and MSU: A shared past. A vision for the future. Click here to view the entire year’s programming.
Deep Dark Secrets of the Cave State: Missouri’s Fascinating and Hidden Geology, Biology, and Water Resources
The caves of the Ozarks are world famous and their abundance and influence on the culture of the region leads Missouri to be nicknamed the cave state. In addition to being a source of beauty and natural wonder, our caves, springs, sinkholes, and disappearing streams form a terrain that scientists term “karst”. The karst terrain shapes our cities, developments, and culture in unexpected ways. The thin, clayey soils that constrain and shape the types of agriculture practiced in the Ozarks are a legacy of our karst terrain. Urban areas, such as Springfield must carefully plan development to mitigate the risks of sinkholes and the susceptibility of karst terrains to flash flooding. Even our ecosystems are shaped by the karst. Missouri’s karst landscape harbors rare and fascinating fauna such as blind cavefish and crayfish that require special conservation and protection.
Our expert panel will discuss the exploration and mapping of Missouri’s caves and karst, the challenges of living on and managing a karst landscape, and the fascinating creatures that often exist in just a few caves.
Please feel free to submit questions when registering or during the webinar.
Meet our panelists
- Dr. Toby Dogwiler (moderator), Department Head, Geography, Geology and Planning, Missouri State University
- Dr. David Ashley, Retired Professor of Biology from Missouri Western State University
- Mr. Jonathan Beard, Cave Specialist, Researcher and Published Author
- Dr. Douglas Gouzie, Geology Professor, Departmental Director of Graduate Studies, Missouri State University
Reynolds County Bicentennial Scrapbook
Reynolds County has assembled a Bicentennial Scrapbook containing four unpublished manuscripts relating to the history of Reynolds County, a photo section of early logging pictures, and a short story/picture section of the discovery, documentation and award as National Historic Site of Fort Barnesville. The articles aim to promote a better understanding of the early history of Reynolds County—including early settlers, families, loggers and a part of Civil War history. The final product will be a spiral-bound book that will be available for sale at the Reynolds County Museum. A copy will also be provided to the library and other institutions for patron perusal.
Santa Fe National Historic Trail 200th Commemoration Official Kickoff
The Official kickoff of the 200th Commemoration of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail is a day-long commemoration in Arrow Rock MO on September 1, 2021—two-hundred years since William Becknell left Franklin, MO for Santa Fe, NM, opening the United States first international highway of commerce and trade. Programs and re-enactors will be participating throughout Arrow Rock all day long. A complete list of the day’s events will be posted on www.santafetrail200.org as they are developed. The event is jointly sponsored by the Missouri River Outfitters Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association, the Friends of Arrow Rock, Missouri DNR, and the Village of Arrow Rock.
Kansas City Black History
There is no Kansas City without Black Kansas City. African American educators, activists, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and athletes built a vibrant community that shaped the city and the nation. For the past 12 years, the Local Investment Commission, Kansas City Public Library, and Black Archives of Mid-America have celebrated this underappreciated history in annually published poster sets, booklets, and calendars that highlight the history of Black excellence in the metro. To commemorate Missouri’s bicentennial year, the 2021 Kansas City Black History project features a special edition publication with more than 50 biographies of notable Black citizens and a collection of essays on the African American experience in Kansas City. Print and electronic versions of the publication will be freely available to the public. Additional content – including lesson plans and other educational resources – will appear in early 2021 on a new website: kcblackhistory.org.
Shook Elementary Pioneer Day
2021 is the 30th anniversary year of the Pioneer Day Program and will be held on May 14, 2021. It was originally written by the 4th grade teachers as a play to cover the statehood of Missouri. Later music and dance were added by the music teacher, square dancing by the PE teacher, and art projects by the art teacher. The day begins with students eating a traditional breakfast in their classrooms. Then they proceed to the gym to perform the program in costume. After the program the students participate in outdoor activities (ex. eating from a chuck wagon, playing games from the period, etc.) and indoor activities (ex. traditional instruments and songs) led by community members.
State of Stories: Commemorating the Missouri Bicentennial
State of Stories is a series of free public programs developed by The Story Center at Mid-Continent Public Library and the University of Missouri Extension Community Arts Program. Programs will explore Missouri history and culture through storytelling performances and workshops, book conversations, lectures, a publication, and other activities.
Missouri and MSU: A shared past. A vision for the future.
Founded in 1905 as the Fourth District Normal School, Missouri State University (MSU) has played a significant role in the state’s progress, innovation, and creativity. To commemorate the Missouri Bicentennial, MSU will host a series of publicly available webinars beginning January 2021 to explore and contemplate what’s next for our state. “Missouri and MSU: A shared past. A vision for the future.” will examine topics important to the growth of Missouri – including agriculture, diversity and inclusion, education trends, health care, Missouri caves, and technology – and explore how MSU and its partners will have an effect on the state today, tomorrow and for decades to come.
Missouri State University is a public, comprehensive metropolitan system with a statewide mission in public affairs, whose purpose is to develop educated persons. The university’s identity is distinguished by its public affairs mission, which entails a campus-wide commitment to foster expertise and responsibility in ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement.
Missouri Bicentennial Webinar Schedule – (Registration coming soon)
Wednesday, Jan. 27 at Noon (Central Time)
Changing Lives Through Technology, Science and Innovation
Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at Noon (Central Time)
Valuing the Inclusion of Diversity
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at Noon (Central Time)
Educating Health Professionals: Plotting the Future by Understanding Missouri’s Past
Thursday, July 29, 2021 at Noon (Central Time)
Missouri Music, Past and Present
Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 at 7 p.m. (Central Time)
What Can We Learn about Equity and Inclusion from the One Room School House? Exploring MSU Leadership in Teacher Education Since 1905
Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021 at 7 p.m. (Central Time)
The Deep Dark Secrets of the Cave State: Missouri’s Fascinating and Hidden Geology, Biology, and Water Resources
Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 at Noon (Central Time)
Missouri’s Rich History in Wine and Grape Research
Missouri Mondays: Harry S. Truman’s Connections Across Missouri
Missouri Mondays: Harry S. Truman’s Connections Across Missouri is a social media campaign that will focus each week on a different Missouri town and its connection to Harry S. Truman. The Truman Library will use photos, documents, and motion picture footage to illustrate the connections that Truman made across Missouri that helped him win election to the Senate in 1934 and 1940, and made him a viable vice-presidential and presidential candidate in 1944 and 1948. This campaign will promote understanding of different Missouri communities, and illustrate the different ways that Missouri’s only President made an impact throughout the state, and not just his home region. Follow the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum on these social medial platforms:
Facebook: @TrumanPresidentialLibrary
Twitter: @TrumanLibrary
YouTube: HarrySTrumanLibrary
Instagram: @Truman.Library
A Woman’s Her-story Program: Famous Missouri Women
A Woman’s Her-story Program: Famous Missouri Women honors the part that Missouri women have played in state and national history. Several female seniors from Holt County high schools have been selected to present information on famous women who are from, or have influenced, Missouri. These famous women include entrepreneurs, pioneers, politicians, philanthropists, educators, athletes, and more. A brief overview of the strides made by women in past years will be presented as well. Area businesses have been solicited for donations to help provide a small scholarship to each of the participants.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program is being re-scheduled. Details to follow.
Bicentennial Penny Drive
A project of the Missouri Humanities Council, a partner in the Bicentennial Alliance, the Bicentennial Penny Drive took place in Missouri public elementary and intermediate schools in 2018-2019. Students learned about the struggle for Missouri statehood and founding state documents. The money raised from the Penny Drive supports the conservation these documents in honor of the approaching Bicentennial of Missouri statehood.