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• Missouri Mule Museum:  Jeanie Gay shared that a new heating system and ductwork have been installed, and the electrical panel has been upgraded.  Work to add a bathroom and complete other renovation work will begin soon.

• Perry Bank Restoration:  Patty Tinsley shared that in Spring, she will remove the teller window and counter to complete their restoration.  When working on the walls, a frame will be added around a portion of the wallpaper to capture the decor of the time period.

• Adult History Preservation:   No new interviews have been completed.  The possibility of interviewing Ben Akers, Mike Shultz, and Gaylord Winders was discussed.  If anyone would like to do interviews with a senior citizen, or if you would like to be interviewed, please contact Delores Woodhurst or Carolyn Trower.

• Ralls County Flag Design Contest:  Guidelines from the last meeting were reviewed. Delores met with the County Commission recently, and they are fine with RCHS developing a county flag.  John and Sharon Lake have volunteered to sponsor the project as members of the Center Township.  After talking with Dustin Wasson, Delores shared that changing from a flag design content to a county seal contest would offer more flexibility for how and where the design can be used.  The plans will be reviewed, refined, and shared at next month’s meeting.  RCHS continues to seek one or more individuals or businesses from each of Ralls County’s seven townships to sponsor the project, with money from the donations to fund a cash incentive for the winner.  The project will be open to individuals of any age who can show a connection to Ralls County, including current and past residents, individuals with family or ancestors in Ralls County, etc.  The winner will be announced in January 2026 as part of RCHS’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.

• Preserving County Documents and other artifacts: Gina Jameson shared information about the Preserving Local History grant that her office has participated in for the last several years.  The project funds the preservation of local records.  Delores talked with an individual from the program last week, and the school enumeration records at the historical society’s museum may qualify for the program.  Gina will send Delores a copy of a grant application, and Delores will work to submit a grant application to preserve these records.  Tara Comer also wrote a grant to this program, and before Christmas, records from her office were scanned.  She shared a copy of the scanned 1900-1923 tax records,  which are currently being uploaded to RCHS’s webpage:  rallscohistoricalsociety.com.  Previously scanned tax records from 1847-1899 are already on the website.

• RCHS Treasurer Position:  The Executive Committee was contacted via email regarding the appointment of  Jeanie Gay to the vacant Treasurer’s position.  The Executive Committee, by majority, elected Jeanie Gay to the position.  Mary Jackson made a motion to accept the Executive Committee’s appointment of Jeanie Gay to the Treasurer’s position.  Gina Jameson seconded.  Motion passed.  

• Committees:  The following list was again shared at today’s meeting. If you would like to fill a position, please contact Delores Woodhurst.

  • Publicity

  • Quincy Community Foundation Grant Opportunity

  • Billboard Space:  

  • Someone to attend New London city council meetings as a representative of RCHS

• Area Historical Society Conference:  A meeting of representatives of area historical societies will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025, at the Ralls County Courthouse in New London from 10:00 a.m. to noon.  Delores sent a letter to area historical societies inviting them to the event, and 14 people indicated they would attend.  Ron, Delores, Carolyn, Sandie, Patty, Jeanie, and Barry also plan to attend.  Several individuals that have RSVPd have talked about the 250 anniversary of our country, which is called a semiquincentennial.  

• Payment of Bills with Receipts:  No bills were presented.

• Financial Information as of 12/31/2024:  Ending balance $16,418.78

• Public Outreach Opportunities

  • RCHS’s 50th year anniversary will be in January 2026  

  • Perry Trivia Night (March 2025):  Delores sent a message to the Chamber and will follow up with them before our next meeting.

  • Perry All Town Garage Sales (May 23-24, 2025)

  • Perry Easter Egg Hunt (April 19, 2025)

  • New London Easter Egg Hunt (Delores will contact someone on the Park Board committee to find this date)

  • Center Easter Egg Hunt (April 19, 2025

  • New London Park Days (June 6-7, 2025):  This was a topic of discussion.  Delores will contact someone with the Park Board regarding a booth highlighting RCHS.  The booth will have information about RCHS, including membership forms and brochures.  Patti Tinsley will make a cut-out of a mule that youngsters can put their heads through for a unique photo opportunity.  The area will need a pop-up tent, a fan, and an extension cord.  Gina will ask for a donation of drinks for youngsters, which may or may not be a possibility.  Delores will contact Mark Twain’s art teacher, Josh McCurdy, about assisting in the art work associated with the booth.  A schedule will be developed so one person does not have to work the booth for the entire event.

  • Perry Parking Lot Party (June 2025)

  • Perry Fourth of July (July 4, 2025)

  • Center Park Day (August 1-2, 2025)

  • Perry All Town Garage Sales (August 29-30, 2025)

• President’s Update:  Ron shared that he is very appreciative of attendance at the monthly meetings and the support that continues to be shown to the Historical Society.  If you want to volunteer, please contact Ron Leake at rwleake@aol.com or 573-248-6147.  

• Executive Committee (15 members): Blank spots below indicate vacancies in our executive committee that we need to fill.  If you are interested in being a representative on the executive committee, please contact Delores Woodhurst at 573-248-7445 or dvwoodhurst@gmail.com.

Officers (5)

• President: Ron Leake

• Vice-President:  Delores Woodhurst

• Secretary:  Carolyn Trower

• Treasurer:  Jeanie Gay

• Historian:  NEEDED 

Directors (10)

• Center Township: NEEDED

• Spencer Township: Gina Jameson

• Salt River Township:  Cindy Lynn

• Jasper Township: Lola McDonald

• Saline Township: NEEDED

• Clay Township: NEEDED

• Saverton Township: Bill Dexheimer 

• Perry:  NEEDED

• Center: Mary Jackson

• New London: Brad Stinson

Next Meeting: RCHS's next meeting will be Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Perry City Hall. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.   The meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.

February 2023 Newsletter:  Click here!

Click here to see all photos and videos from the 2023 lasagna supper!

Physical Address:

Ralls County Historical Museum 

105 East Main Street

Perry, MO 63462

Ralls County Historical Library

124 East Main Street

Perry, MO 63462

Mailing Address:

Ralls County, Missouri Historical Society

PO Box 463

Perry, MO 63462