Projects

Museum Tour

Members of the Society have developed a traveling exhibit featuring historic items from the Museum. Initial exhibits and presentations are scheduled for area Skilled Care facilities.

Oral History Preservation Video Project

One of the long-term goals of the Society has been to preserve the County's history through multimedia, specifically videotapes. The current leadership has renewed this project approved by previous boards and, today, Society members and leaders are actively moving forward with the project. Several lifetime citizens in McDonald County have been contacted and are recording historical memories and the tapes for this project are now in production.

Any persons who are interested in preserving their memories of McDonald County or who know lifetime residents of the County whose contributions would be invaluable to the Society are invited and encouraged to contact The Society. Anyone interested in participating in this important project is also invited to contact the Society.

The Heritage and History of McDonald County

The McDonald County Historical Society has begun printing a quarterly journal, The Heritage and History of McDonald County. The Society is currently in its second year of providing this quarterly to members only. Included in this quarterly are photographs of the Society’s activities, information about upcoming events, and various historical data of interest.

McDonald County Historical Museum

The Society formed in 1963 had a vision to establish a County Museum. They collected memorabilia and information to share in the Museum. Thanks to their efforts, the Reorganized Society officially opened the County's First Museum in September, 2007.

McDonald County Historical Society Website

The McDonald County Historical Society has created this website to host a variety of news and resources for persons interested in the history and genealogy of McDonald County, Missouri. This website is a live and on-going project. We are indebted to the efforts of consultant Dr. Dana Moore Gray who maintains this site for us. Persons wishing to contribute comments or information regarding this website may contact us at info@mcdonaldcohistory.org.

McDonald County Historical Marker Project

The Society is in the initial stages of undertaking the project of erecting historical markers throughout the county. Included in this project will be collaboration with the State Historical Society to become recognized on the State’s registry of historic places.

McDonald County Cemetery Preservation Project

The Society recognizes a need to mark and maintain the County’s cemeteries. Numerous cemeteries are no longer in use and several have been completely destroyed. A plan will soon be developed to address this need, taking into consideration suggestions from the County Planning Commission.

McDonald Courthouse Restoration Project

The Historical Society signed a contract with the County Commissioners in November, 2010 to take over the care and maintenance of the Old County Courthouse. The year 2011 found the Society giving this historic courthouse a face lift, in preparation to return the building to appear as it did in 1938, during the filming of the movie Jesse James. Concurrent to this project, the Society is also in the final stages of placing this historic building on the National Registry of Historic Places.