• • • Snowman Donations:  In recent weeks, Sandie Storm has set up a display of donated snowmen at the RCHS library in Perry, with donations being accepted for the items.  Today, Sandie presented a check for $400 to the Historical Society from the sale of these snowmen to honor her sister, Anita Diane Litton.  Litton was a florist, artist, and businesswoman.  RCHS is very appreciative of the donation and thankful for the volunteer work that Sandie does for RCHS.  

    • John Ralls Donation:  Documents from the donation continue to be transcribed.  A copy of James Shulse's Affidavit verifying James Owen Ralls's birth was shared.  The affidavit was necessary since Ralls was born before requiring all births to be registered with the state.  This document and all others that have been transcribed can be found at RCHS’s website:  https://www.rallscohistoricalsociety.com/research-spotlight/john-ralls-documents.

    • Fort Mason Project:  Bill Dexheimer shared that, with the help of RCEC, the flagpole has been set at the Fort Mason monument site in Saverton.  Randy McDonald and Bill picked up the granite stone from Wentzville, and McDonald Stone will inscribe the stone and mount the bronze plaques to the stone.  The front of the stone will include a narrative about Fort Mason, and the back of the stone will include the names of soldiers that served at Fort Mason.  Scott Haycraft of Hannibal Machine has created posts for the fence, and the posts are currently being powder-coated black.  Currently, the project is on track for completion by March 2025.  Bill shared that he recently worked with Missourinet.com to share information about the Fort Mason Project.  You can find this podcast at https://www.missourinet.com/2024/12/10/monument-dedicated-to-missouri-war-of-1812-vets-one-step-closer-to-completion-listen/.  Donations to this project may be made to the Historical Society, PO Box 463, Perry, MO 63462.  Please include “Fort Mason Monument Project” in the memo.  Questions may be emailed to bdexhei@gmail.com. 

    • Center Depot Santa Event:  Delores shared an update from Sharon Lake regarding Santa’s visit to the Historic Center Depot on Saturday, December 14, 2024.  The turnout was really good, with quite a few little ones attending.  In between kids, Santa went out on the front porch and waved at people going by, which was quite enjoyable for everyone.  Sharon plans to make this an annual event.  She also shared that a wine and cheese tasting will be held at the depot in late January or February.

    • Missouri Mule Museum:  Jeanie Gay shared that progress continues to be made at the Missouri Mule Museum.  Currently, a display of mules pulling Santa’s sleigh graces the storefront's windows.  After they moved to town, the display used to be a part of the display set up by Jeanie’s parents, Gene and Elsa Chipman.  The mules in the window were cut out by Dennis Diffenderfer many years ago. Dennis, who passed away in 2018, was the son of Glenn and Dorothy Diffenderfer, owners of Western Auto in Perry, Missouri.  In October, Ralls County Historical Society purchased the Western Auto building, which will be home to the Missouri Mule Museum. Soon, work will begin to upgrade the electrical panel and install a new HVAC system.

    • Perry Bank Restoration:  Patti Tinsley shared that work continues on this project, and at some point, the cashier’s counter will be stripped and refinished.

    • Adult History Preservation:   Carolyn shared that she recently interviewed Carl Moore, a resident of Ralls County who turned 101 years old on December 14, 2024.  Several names for future interviews were 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:  Draft guidelines were shared and discussed, and these guidelines will be reviewed at the January meeting.  After this, RCHS will kick off a flag design contest to design a flag for Ralls County.  The goal is to find 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: Bill shared that he talked with Ralls County Clerk Brandy Flynn, and she recently submitted a Save America’s Treasures grant application for $1.5 million for restoration work at the courthouse and jail.  Bill shared information with Brandy regarding a private Illinois grant that can be used to support the preservation of historically significant buildings. 

    • RCHS Treasurer Position:  Delores will be contacting the Executive Committee about the appointment of Jeanie Gay to the treasurer position that is currently vacant.  In January or February, the Executive Committee will meet to review RCHS’s constitution and bylaws to ensure they continue to meet the needs of RCHS.

    • 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:  Delores contacted Lamar Advertising regarding billboards and shared information about the cost of various billboards throughout the county.

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

    • Taxes and Other Paperwork:  We have received our sales tax exemption letter.

    • 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 will send a letter to area historical societies inviting them to the event, with an RSVP deadline of January 17, 2024.

    • Payment of Bills with Receipts:  None presented.

    • Public Outreach Opportunities

      • • Our 50th year anniversary will be in 2026 or 2027, and we need to start planning soon.  Other upcoming events include:

          • • • Perry Trivia Night (March 2025):  Delores will contact the Chamber of Commerce about the possibility of RCHS co-sponsoring this event in 2026, with a focus on Ralls County trivia.

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

              • Perry Easter Egg Hunt (April 19, 2025)

              • Center Easter Egg Hunt (April 19, 2025

              • New London Park Days (June 6-7, 2025)

              • 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 a filing system has been re-established at the museum, and at this time, muscle is needed.  Some desks and filing cabinets need to be moved.  In addition, we are always in need of volunteers to complete a wide variety of jobs at the library and museum.  Delores shared a list of places in Ralls County, taken from a list on the State Historical Society of Missouri’s website. The list shared today has been organized by township.  Moving forward with the website, it is anticipated that the site will also be organized by township.  If you want to volunteer, please contact Ron Leake at rwleake@aol.com or 573-248-6147.  Ron will try to attend as many city council meetings and commissioners meetings throughout the county.  Anyone who wishes to join him or attend on behalf of RCHS, please do so.

    • Financial Information as of 11/30/2024:  Ending balance $15,165.94.

• 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 (The Historian shall be the keeper of historical items and records which are property of the Society.)

• 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, January 15, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Perry City Hall. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.  The January meeting will be broadcast via Facebook Live or similar media.  The meeting adjourned at 11:16 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