• John Ralls Donation:  Documents from the donation continue to be transcribed.  Transcribed documents can be found at RCHS’s website:  https://www.rallscohistoricalsociety.com/research-spotlight/john-ralls-documents.

• Fort Mason Project:  The Fort Mason Project is nearing completion.  The stone was set recently, and it is fantastic. One side of the stone tells the story of Fort Mason, and the other lists individuals who served at Fort Mason, including Nathan Boone, son of Daniel Boone.  To get to the monument, drive toward Saverton Lock and Dam.  Instead of turning left into the Lock and Dam, continue straight onto Riverview Drive. The monument is about a mile up the road, on the left. 

• Center Depot: Sharon Lake plans to host a wine and cheese event at the depot in April. RCHS received a donation in honor of Sharon’s mom, who died in November 2024. Delores plans to open the depot on a Saturday in April. The date will be shared on social media as soon as it is set.  

• Missouri Mule Museum:  Jeanie Gay shared that progress continues to be made at the Missouri Mule Museum.  Contractor work is complete, and documents and artifacts are being moved in and organized. After today’s meeting, several people visited the Missouri Mule Museum.   The theme for RCHS’s section within the building is “Rural Missouri.”  Several items have already been moved to the new location. We are looking for vintage medical artifacts.  If you wish to loan or donate anything to this theme, please contact Carolyn Trower.

• Perry Bank Restoration: Patty Tinsley contacted Jason Yancey about former items from a Perry Christian Academy float stored in the bank, and he directed RCHS to do with them as they wished. After today’s meeting, Ron, Delores, Carolyn, Patty, and Tim Tinsley visited the bank, and the decision was made to throw these items away. Patty will begin work on the ceiling and the floor soon.

• Adult History Preservation:   No new interviews have been completed.   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 Seal Design Contest:  Delores shared the flyer to promote this project and the application that must accompany submissions. Delores will post this information on Facebook soon, and the flyer will be placed in various locations throughout the community, including at the schools.

• Oak Hill School Request:  Bob Sergent asked about possibly including Oak Hill School in RCHS’s insurance plan, with Oak Hill School donating RCHS to pay their share.  Delores will check with current insurance companies for pricing and additional information.  Bob also shared that there is an event at Oak Hill on the fourth Saturday of each month beginning at 6:30 p.m.  A meal is served for a free-will donation, and there is music.  The public is welcome to attend.  To reach Oak Hill School from New London, take Route V to the stop sign, turning north (left) onto Route T.  Where Route T meets Route N, turn left onto Oak Hill Road, and the school is on your immediate left.

• Preserving County Documents and other artifacts: Recently, Brandy Flynn shared a box of World War II military records, and Delores showcased these documents.  After World War II, a “brown” book was printed highlighting soldiers from Ralls County.  The box of documents contained the actual forms submitted by soldiers, along with their photographs.  It was great to see the soldiers' handwritten information sheets and additional notes they may have written.  The documents will be shared on Facebook and the website soon.  The box of documents was returned to Brandy after the meeting.

• Research Request:  Margot McMillen, a podcaster from Fulton, Missouri, is seeking someone to participate in a podcast she will make at Brush Creek Church and Cemetery.  She has researched Father Augustus Tolton’s mother, who will be the podcast's topic. If you wish to volunteer, please contact Delores Woodhurst.

• Absalom Grimes Workshop Date:  Through a mail solicitation, Delores has been in contact with Barney Bradshaw about a free presentation of his program, Gratiot Street Prison and the Life and Times of Absalom Grimes.  The program is designed to last 50-60 minutes. It starts with a costumed soliloquy thatlastst 35-40 minutes, followed by a short PowerPoint and then a Q&A.  RCHS hopes to host this event at the M. W. Boudreaux Center at the lake and then allow for time for participants to come to Perry to see RCHS’s museum and the Missouri Mule Museum.  After a date is established with Mr. Bradshaw, information will be shared.

• Calendar:  Delores will proceed with creating a 2026 calendar for RCHS.  The calendar will be sold to pay for the project and generate funds for RCHS.  Since this is the first year for the calendar project, RCHS will begin by listing dates set by local cities and organizations. If you have dates for 2026 that you want added to the calendar, please contact Delores Woodhurst.

• Recipe Book:  After a discussion, the recipe book project will be tabled until 2026.

• Kathleen Wilham Donation:  Kathleen Wilham donated six large and one small box of Ralls County information to RCHS.  She also donated one box of items to Pike County.  After we receive a Gift Deed for the documents, we will incorporate these items into our organization.  Until that time, all boxes remain untouched in the museum.  The boxes have been inventoried. 

• Executive Committee Meeting to Review Bylaws and Constitution:  Delores will call a meeting of the Executive Committee to review the bylaws and constitution to review proposed changes to the documents.  

• The State Historical Society of Missouri membership renewal: We did not discuss this item. It will be discussed at next month’s meeting.

• Election of Officers:  A nominating committee is needed to prepare a slate of officers.  Patty Tinsley volunteered to work with others to prepare a slate of officers for election at RCHS’s April meeting.

• Impact Statement:  A draft copy will be reviewed in April.  The following items were brainstormed as essential items to add to the updated impact statement:  Center Depot renovations, Perry Bank renovations, Fort Mason Project, Missouri Mule Museum, increased presence on Facebook (including posting pictures to involve the community in identifying individuals and places and “This Day in Ralls County History”), updating of cemetery records, including contacts for various cemeteries, the continued organization of records and artifacts.

• Brochure:  The brochure for RCHS needs to be updated.  RCHS will get pricing from South Lake Design, Iva’s Printing, and Golden Ruler.  We hope to have these printed to be passed out at the May 2, 2025, meeting of area historical societies and New London Park Days.

• Newsletter:  The March edition is coming soon. 

• Student Internship Program Update:  Student interns Kaylee Beckham and Evie Bickel continue working at the museum on various projects.

• Area Historical Society Conference:  The initial meeting of area historical societies was a success.  Thirty-three individuals representing ten different historical societies attended.  Our next meeting is May 2, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Ilaso Area Historical and Preservation Society in Ilasco.

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

• Financial Information as of 1/31/2025:  Ending balance $26,4424.39

• Financial Information as of 2/28/2025:  Ending balance $46,400.98

• Public Outreach Opportunities

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

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

  • Perry Easter Egg Hunt (April 19, 2025)

  • New London Easter Egg Hunt (April 19, 2025)

  • Center Easter Egg Hunt (April 19, 2025)

  • New London Park Days (June 6-7, 2025): RCHS will have a booth at New London Park Days. Delores contacted Janine Stephenson regarding a booth highlighting RCHS.  The booth will have information about RCHS, including membership forms and brochures.  Delores will contact Josh McCurdy, MT’s art teacher, about sketching a mule that can be cut out and used as a photo prop at the booth.  Delores will follow up with Gina Jameson to see if she can secure drinks donations for youngsters.  Tara Comer created a genealogy handout, which Delores shared with the group.  The handout will be printed and sold at the booth for a small charge.  A schedule will be developed for workers at the booth.

  • 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 expressed his appreciation for the attendance at the monthly meetings and the continued support of the Historical Society.  Ben Akers shared that a Mark Twain Lake Boat Association member was in town recently, inquiring about flooded communities when the Mark Twain Lake was developed.  Carolyn has left a message for the individual and will follow up with her.

• 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:  Sandie Storm

• Center: Mary Jackson

• New London: Brad Stinson

Next Meeting: RCHS's next meeting will be Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Perry City Hall. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.   The meeting adjourned at 11:25 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

Missouri Mule Museum

114 East Main Street

Perry, MO 63462

Mailing Address:

Ralls County, Missouri Historical Society

PO Box 463

Perry, MO 63462