ACHS Acquires New Microfilm Scanner

We are happy to announce a new microfilm scanner purchased with the help of a $5,000 grant and installed on Jan. 17, 2022. The grant was awarded through the Missouri Humanities Council, which has distributed funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to a variety of state organizations. "I think the scanner will be a wonderful tool for anyone who wants to do research at the Historical Society on their family or on past events in the area," said Blytha Ellis, president of the Historical Society board. If a user finds, for example, a newspaper story on microfilm that they want to keep, they can select that particular story, make adjustments, then print, save, or e-mail it. The scanner will allow access to more than 230 microfilm reels of historic newspapers and other records, some dating back to the 1800s, that the Society now owns - as well as allow access to future acquisitions of reels. Historical Society volunteers can use it in their research for historic information, and it is available to members of the public. Anyone in Adair and surrounding counties - or from anywhere - is welcome to use the scanner. The total cost of the equipment was $6,275, with a private donor covering the remaining cost. The equipment was purchased from Tipton Systems, based in St. Louis. A company representative installed the equipment and provided training to Society volunteers.

Kirksville City Historic Landmark

The historical society museum building is now a Kirksville City Historic Landmark! We will be receiving a plaque for this distinction. Through the dedicated efforts of ACHS Board Member Linda Hudnall, on September 30, 2019, the Kirksville City Council, as approved by the Kirksville Preservation Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission, designated the Adair County Historical Society Museum (formerly the Sojourners Club Building), as a City Historic Landmark, number 11 in the city.

The Sojourners Building, built in 1916 and designed by local architect Irwin Dunbar, was built in the early 20th century Prairie School architectural style. ACHS purchased the building in 1999. In 2014, the building was placed on the NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES by the United States Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. The distinguished national registry qualifies public and private properties through its detailed nomination process in efforts to identify, evaluate and protect America's historic and archeological resources.

Gift Shop

NEW GIFT SHOP: We have established a new Gift Shop at the museum, displaying our books, pamphlets, calendars, mugs, candles, postcards, paperweights, and note cards which are available for a suggested donation.

The large cabinet is an historic piece which once sat in the Hat and Shoe Works business at 116 S. Franklin Street in Kirksville. It stored the hats which they "blocked" for customers. This business was started by two brothers, Paul and George Johnson, who came from Greece. Paul was 19 when he took his little brother, George, age 10, and sailed to the United States, landing in St. Louis in 1909. They came to Kirksville after World War I ended in 1918 and started a shoe repair and hat cleaning/blocking business.

We have refurbished this cabinet with stain and replaced the wooden shelves with glass shelving and lighting. Donations to the Elaine Curtis Memorial Fund were used for this project.

We welcome you to shop here for Christmas gifts for your history-loving friends. Memberships also make good gifts! Call or write us for more information, 660-665-6502.