• Election of Officers:  Patty Tinsley presented the following slate of officers:

  • Ron Leake, President

  • Delores Woodhurst, Vice-President

  • Carolyn Trower, Secretary

  • Jeanie Gay, Treasurer

      Delores opened the floor for additional nominations.  There were none. Mary Jackson moved to approve the slate of officers as presented.  Sandie Storm seconded.  Motion passed.

• Development of Focus Areas and Goals: At last month’s meeting, attendees discussed the need for focus areas as funding becomes available to complete projects.  Each person in attendance was given an index card to write on throughout the meeting, noting projects they would like to see completed, topics for the newsletter, and anything else related to RCHS they would like to see.  Missouri Humanities currently offers a grant opportunity for up to $15,000.  When asked what RCHS might do with $15,000 in funding, the following items were discussed.

  • Redoing the museum ceiling: RCHS rents the museum, but an idea was floated to possibly work with the owner to arrange a plan in which payments toward the ceiling repairs are accepted in lieu of rent.  It was also noted that RCHS does not have a written lease with the landlord.  Delores will follow up with the landlord to discuss these ideas and work toward a written lease.  

  • Security system at the museum: A system could be purchased to improve the security of the museum's artifacts.

  • Display cases:  Display cases that sit on top of other displays or countertops, especially cases that lock, would be beneficial for displaying and preserving RCHS’s artifacts.

  • Improved displays: Innovative displays with write-ups that tell the story of the artifacts would be engaging for visitors. It was noted that ILASCO has added QR codes at their site, allowing visitors to learn more about what they are seeing.

• Volunteers Needed to Keep Museum Open This Summer:  Sandie Storm agreed to volunteer at the museum this Friday, as the previous volunteer now has to work that day.  It was noted that the air conditioner at the museum is broken, but the landlord has informed Carolyn Trower that a replacement has been ordered and should arrive soon.  The museum has been open almost every Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. since Memorial Day, and the plan is to keep this schedule through Labor Day.  The museum is also open by appointment. Thank you to individuals who have volunteered to stay at the museum during these times. Traffic is slowly increasing at the museum.  A discussion was held about advertising, as the general public does not seem to know when the museum is open.  Information about the hours is posted on Facebook, but not everyone has Facebook.  We have brochures at the MMM and the carousel, but we may need to purchase additional brochures and place them at other tourist locations throughout the area.  A suggestion was made to hang a flag outside the museum when it is open.  We also need to explore getting into published and recognized tourist magazines, including the lake magazine produced by Chuck Herron and the Hannibal Tourism magazine.  Getting visitors to write a Yelp or Google review after visiting the museum may also increase foot traffic.  Delores will get a list of local Airbnb properties and work to get brochures to these properties.  The group's consensus is that we need to build on the momentum at RCHS.

• Missouri Mule Museum (MMM):  Jim and Jeanie Gay were honored as the Grand Marshals of the Perry 4th of July parade.  It was a wonderful day celebrating the legacy of the Missouri Mule and the work that Jim and Jeanie Gay do throughout the community.  Two large billboards are now on display, one on Highway 61 near Frankford and the other on Highway 54 near Kingdom City.  The billboards have already brought at least one couple to the Missouri Mule Museum in Perry.  There is also an ad for the MMM in this month’s edition of the Western Mule Magazine.  Jeanie showed a T-shirt that Dustin Wasson of South Lake Designs created for the MMM.  They will be on sale for $20, and an order for additional shirts will be placed sometime soon.

• Membership in the State Historical Society of Missouri: Delores shared that the annual membership of $100 allows RCHS to submit a $500 grant application every other year.  RCHS received one of these grants in 2024, so we will be eligible to submit another application in August 2026. Patty Tinsley moved to renew our membership at the Silver Level for $100.  Jeanie Gay seconded.  Motion passed.

• Date for Lasagna Supper:  A tentative date for the annual Lasagna Supper fundraiser has been set for January 16, 2027.  The event will again be held at the RDC Multipurpose Building north of Perry, if the building is available. Delores will check into this.  This year, we will add additional food items for individuals that don’t care for lasagna.

• Perry Bank Restoration:  Work continues on this project.  Patty Tinsley shared plans for getting one side of the former Perry Bank painted.  The possibility of adding a rock border around the building with potted plants was also discussed.  

• Preserving County Documents and other Artifacts: Delores still needs to check on the newspapers stored at the jail.  An inventory of these papers needs to be completed so the inventory can be compared against the list of newspapers that the State Historical Society of Missouri has already scanned.  Delores will also work with the county to determine if the county records that are currently housed at the RCHS museum in Perry can be returned to the courthouse.

• Area Historical Society Meeting: Area historical societies will meet at the Randolph County Historical Society on August 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.  Delores will work with John Bondy to develop an agenda for the meeting, and this information will be emailed to individuals who have attended previous meetings.  The meeting is open to the public.

• All Time History:  No updates.

• Current Research Requests:  Delores continues to communicate with Kirk Haugen regarding his interest in genealogy information related to his ancestors, the Stillwell family.  A brief overview of the Stillwell murder case was shared.

• Public Outreach Opportunities: .

  • July 16: RCHS Depot Presentation at the Ralls County Library, 10:00 a.m.

  • July 25:  Oak Hill School Gathering:  Meal, local music, no charge

  • August 2:  St. Paul Ice Cream Social

  • August 7:  Area Historical Society Meeting, 10:00 a.m.

  • August 8:  Perry Annual Car Show at Perry City Park, 4:00-7:00 p.m., car cruise to Ray Behrens Campground at 7:00 p.m.

  • August 19: RCHS Meeting, 10:00 a.m., Perry City Hall

  • August 22:  Northeast Missouri Genealogical Society Meeting

  • August 22:  Oak Hill School Gathering:  Meal, local music, no charge

  • August 29:  Misfits Car Show in ILASCO

  • September 4-5:  Perry All Town Garage Sales

  • September 16: RCHS Meeting, 10:00 a.m., Perry City Hall

  • September 26: Oak Hill School Gathering:  Meal, local music, no charge

  • October 7:  Monroe County Historical Society Meeting at Paris School District Central Office/Ag Building, time TBD.  Holocaust survivor Linda Hogan will be the guest of honor for the event. 

  • October 10:  ILASCO’s 2nd Annual Cake Piknik.   This is a ticketed event. 

  • October 21: RCHS Meeting, 10:00 a.m., Perry City Hall

  • October 24: Northeast Missouri Genealogical Society Meeting

  • November 18: RCHS Meeting, 10:00 a.m., Perry City Hall

  • November 21:  Perry Holiday Market

  • December 4:  Christmas in ILASCO

  • December 5:  Perry Small Town Christmas

  • December 16: RCHS Meeting, 10:00 a.m., Perry City Hall

  • January 16, 2027

• Recent Donations:  Several items have been donated, but they have not been documented yet and will hopefully be shared at next month’s meeting. Delores shared that Donna Mahood Sapp donated a variety of historical documents, along with a hand-sewn quilt top.  Donna would like for the quilt top to be quilted and auctioned off to raise funds for RCHS.  The quilt top is made of small squares and is completely hand pieced.  Delores intends to reach out to Madonna Pettijean to see if she is interested in quilting the quilt top and/or working with interested quilters to hold a “quilting bee” to complete the project.  If completed in time, this quilt may be the feature item at the January 2027 fundraiser.

     At today’s meeting, Karyl Silvey donated a binder of articles and information about the 1952 bond issue by the Reorganized School District No. R-VI of Ralls County (New London), Missouri, for $115,000 to build a new school at New London, which is the same building that currently serves as a mini mall in New London.  The bond issue passed, and the facility remained an active part of the Ralls County R-II School District until 2016, at which time the building was closed, and students were moved to the newly opened Ralls County Elementary in Center, Missouri.  The information in the notebook includes a copy of the bond issue language and information about the initiative, news articles about the building that the new New London School replaced, a Ralls County Recollections article about the 1952 bond issue, a program from the formal dedication that was held on February 7, 1954, and information about the laying of the cornerstone at the new facility, including copies of handwritten notes that were included in the cornerstone.  The binder also includes a picture of Perry Elementary School and a news article about the 1999 bomb threat that was received at New London Elementary.  Kayrl shared that the cornerstone was opened during her tenure as principal at New London Elementary when another bond issue added additional classroom space at the site. The binder will be available for viewing in the school section of the RHS Museum, located at 105 E. Main, Perry.  

• Payment of Bills with Receipts: No presented.  

• Financial Information as of 6/30/2026:  Ending balance $46,033.68. Jeanie Gay shared that almost all Fort Mason Project funds have been spent, and after talking with Bill Dexheimer about the project, funds that remain after a final purchase to add trees to the site will be returned to RCHS’s general account.

• President’s Update:  Ron Leake thanked everyone in attendance for their support of RCHS, sharing a message that he hopes the group will continue to build on the momentum that is currently happening within the organization.  He reminded everyone that in addition to needing members and membership dues, RCHS continues to need volunteers.  If you would like to volunteer your time and/or talents, please contact Delores Woodhurst, 573-248-7445, dvwoodhurst@gmail.com.

The meeting adjourned at 11:11 a.m.  The next meeting is August 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Perry City Hall.  The meeting is open to the public, and we hope anyone interested in preserving, celebrating, and honoring Ralls County's history will attend. 

Students from the Ralls County Elementary Student Leadership Team and RCHS Student Interns assisted in the evening’s events, including welcoming guests, serving drinks, bussing tables, and assisting with the auction.  Ralls County Elementary Student Leadership Team members assisting included Izzy Browning, Haven Elliott, Mallory Diffenderfer, Trinity Logan, Auburn Simmons, Sapphire Muehring, Blaire Gilmore, and Avery Jones, Jaelyn Wieczorek, and Jackson Keil, along with their advisors, Diana Duckworth and Julia Henderson.  RCHS Student Interns assisting with the event included Landon Pease, Evie Bickel, Maeley Moss, Ericka Gilbert, and Alyvia Paxton.  Having youth involved was a wonderful addition to the event.

Jeanie Gay, Carolyn Trower, and Sarah Petersheim worked the main table, accepting memberships, selling calendars and books, and assisting with the auction.  All paper products for the event were donated by Dennis and Debbie McMillen, owners of Center Locker.

Presiding Commissioner John Lake and his wife, Sharon, and Western District Commissioner John Wieczorek and his wife, Carol, sold raffle tickets for a gun that was donated by all three commissioners, including Eastern District Commissioner Junior Muehring and his wife, Jenny.  Proceeds from the gun raffle will benefit the Ralls County Historical Society. 

After enjoying the meal, Elementary Leadership Team members led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to kick off a brief program before the auction got underway.  President Ron Leake thanked those in attendance for their continued support and encouraged volunteerism. Leake has been the president of RCHS since 2002 and continues to be an integral piece of the organization.  Leake acknowledged and honored the men, women, and children who came together in 1976 to form an organization dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and honoring the history of Ralls County, several of whom were in attendance.  When the Society was founded in 1976, there were approximately 130 members. While membership has surged and waned over the years, RCHS is proud to have 135 members today.

In 2025, RCHS issued a call for submissions to design a new official seal for Ralls County Historical Society. Several thoughtful entries were received, and after review, RCHS unanimously selected Christina Strode's design.  Vice President Delores Woodhurst asked Strode to come forward, and Strode was recognized and thanked, as her seal, which was on display for viewing at the event, became the official seal of the Ralls County Historical Society.  The narrative that accompanied Strode’s design is included below.

Creating the Ralls County Historical Society seal has been a fun experience for me, and one that truly means a lot.  My husband Joseph's family roots run deep in the Ralls County dirt!  My family lives on my husband's family farm, where his 3x Great Grandfather Hedgman Wilson lived.  The Wilson family moved to Clay Township, near Spalding, in Ralls County, from Virginia in the mid-1800s.  His 4x Great Grandfather Jeremiah Strode moved to Ralls County, where his family grew.  Joseph's 3x Grandfather, Edward Strode, became a prominent doctor in New London, and there is even a street named after him. In an effort to create a unique design, I researched many seals from around the country for layout ideas.  In the outer ring, 1820 represents the year Ralls County was formed.  The central focus of the seal is our beautiful courthouse, with the year it was built, 1858, prominently displayed on the front.  Around the courthouse are iconic symbols of our county.  In the top right, you see the great Clarence Cannon Dam with the beautiful Mark Twain Lake behind it.  To the right of the courthouse is a crappie, a fishing favorite on the lake.  My son works at the marina, and the number one question he is asked daily is, "Are the crappie biting?"  There are oak leaves and acorns to show homage to the abundant nature in our county.  Near the bottom, corn represents our rich agricultural heritage.  To the left of the courthouse is the iconic state animal, the Missouri Mule.  On the top left, you see a handsome whitetail, representing the wildlife in our area.  Separating the words in the outer ring are yellow cone flowers.  These flowers are also known as the Ozark cone flower and can be found growing wild and free along many of our roads.  The three main colors of the seal are red, white, and blue.  They reflect the Missouri State flag, and, of course, our nation.  The people of Ralls County are patriotic and deeply love our land! It was my pleasure to research and design a seal that will serve as a lasting visual representation of our great county.  Thank you for considering my design for Ralls County Historical Society's official seal.

John Wallace, assisted by his grandson and RCHS Student Intern Landon Pease, facilitated the auction of donated items.   The auction served not only as entertainment but also as an important fundraiser supporting museum operations, preservation initiatives, and local history programming.  The feature item of the auction was shared ownership in RCHS’s copy of Ralls County Missouri by Goldena Howard.  In 1980, Goldena Howard published Ralls County Missouri, known to many as “the green book,” and the book remains the most comprehensive single history of Ralls County ever created. Mrs. Howard spent decades researching the people and places of Ralls County, personally funding the project and overseeing every detail. Nearly half the book is devoted to Ralls County families. Mrs. Howard believed it was important to document the people living here at the time, those whose stories were not yet recorded in history books.  Her work was never about recognition or profit, but about preservation. Ralls County Missouri continues to be a treasured resource for families, researchers, and community members. As RCHS celebrates its 50th birthday, Mrs. Howard’s work stands as a cornerstone of its mission to preserve, honor, and celebrate Ralls County.  Individuals purchasing ownership in this book, which will continue to be housed at the Ralls County Historical Society’s museum in Perry include Jon and Pam Barnes, Greg Sharpe for State Senate, Michele Keil, Wiley and Susan Hibbard, Ryan, Sarah, and Carter Petersheim, Brian and Linda Hodges, Brian and Delores Woodhurst, Ron and Sandy Myers, Cindy Lynn-Drainer, Chad and Meri Williams, Jim and Jeanie Gay, and Landon Pease. 

Numerous individuals, businesses, and organizations donated items for the auction, including Leanne Reed, Wiley Hibbard, Dustin Wasson of South Lake Design, Mary Kay Weiss, Michele Keil of Salt River Realty, Kerri Jo Reese of Crossroads Bar & Grill, Hannah Smith and Tessa Meranda of Polish & Glow, Dustin and Jan Garner of Lake Country Gardens, Delores Woodhurst, Cindy Lynn-Drainer of At-Home Realty, Brad Stinson, Tracy Mundell of Shaggy’s Hair Salon, Lydia, Lola, and Randy McDonald of Meadows Campground & Coffeehouse, Brandon and Skylar Anderson of Anderson Auto Body & Detailing, John DiMaria of Perry Economic Development Group, Debbie Hodges, Brice & Ashley Harvey of Harvey’s Floral Boutique and Premier Pest Solutions, Rachel Jones, Frances, Dean, Kris, Jason, and Kristie Yancey of Yancey Auto Sales, Ralls County Clerk Brandy Flynn, Ralls County Collector Tara Comer, Penny Cearley, Western District Commissioner John Wieczorek, Eastern District Commissioner Junior Muehring, Presiding Commissioner John Lake, and District 5 State Representative Louis Riggs. 

Ralls County Historical Society extends heartfelt thanks to the many volunteers who made the evening possible. The Society also thanks everyone who attended, contributed, or supported the event in any way.  As RCHS looks ahead to its next fifty years, the organization invites the community to stay engaged by becoming members, volunteering, or participating in upcoming events. For more information about the Ralls County Historical Society and its programs, please visit rallscohistoricalsociety.com or follow RCHS on Facebook.

More event photos are available on our Facebook page!

Physical Address:

Ralls County Historical Museum 

105 East Main Street

Perry, MO 63462

Missouri Mule Museum & Ralls County Historical Library

114 East Main Street

Perry, MO 63462

Mailing Address:

Ralls County, Missouri Historical Society

PO Box 463

Perry, MO 63462