Mark Biggs
Mark Biggs' documentary The Ozarks: Just That Much Hillbilly In Me was fascinating to me as an Ozarks "transplant." It was interesting to learn about how the hillbilly stereotype has been perpetuated by the tourist industry, and to be honest, I bought into that stereotype when I first moved here. One of the interviewees made a poignant statement when she said, "You didn't survive in these hills if you were dumb." Watching the film and reflecting on that statement has made me proud now to be a resident of the Ozarks, and I hope to instill that same sense of pride in my students. Learning about the history of this area through this film would also be beneficial to students as they begin to learn what "community" means for them. The two years that it took Mark to make this film were well worth it in terms of the educational and historical value.

Several issues brought up by Mark Biggs:
1. How can I use what I have found if it's not what I originally intended to use/find?
2. Know your purpose: Who is your audience? What's your message? How do I personalize my information?
3. Make connections between two seemingly unrelated objects.
4. Find the emotional message behind the work.
5. Work in the parameter of truth and reality. Engage the audience at a human level.
6. Bring order to your search. Use instinct and intuition in research.
7. Document findings: Don't rely on printing everything.
8. Where to go: historical society, librarians, chamber of commerce, people in the community-offer to bring them coffee!

John Schmalzbauer
John Schmalzbauer, professor of Religion at Missouri State University provided us with liniks to sites that are useful in researching the Ozarks. Along with religious demographics there were links to folksong sites. Dr. John Schmalzbauer

John Sellars

Mr. Sellars is Executive Director of the Springfield/Greene County Historical Museum. To learn more about the museum, please visit the following sites:

http://springfieldhistorymuseum.org/home.htm

http://www.ci.springfield.mo.us/community/history_museum/#artifacts

For further information, contact the museum at info@springfieldhistorymuseum.org

Mr. Sellars conducted the following tour for us on Monday, July 28, 2008:

Mid-Town Historic District Driving Tour

The Springfield Landmarks Board proudly presents an auto tour guide of the Mid-Town National Register Historic District. Mid-Town is the largest historic area in Springfield. Located in north central Springfield, Mid Town is primarily comprised of houses constructed between 1870 and 1925. There is a wide range in the size and architectural design of the houses which were built by the upper class, merchants, educators, and working class. Behind the houses there remains a large collection of stables, garages, and other outbuildings. A few churches are scattered in the district and also on the southern edge of the district is Drury College.

The development of the Mid-Town district is directly related to the arrival of the railroad in 1870. The railroad was constructed one mile north of Springfield and a new town, North Springfield, was developed around the railroad. Division Street was the dividing line between
the two towns. North Springfield soon became a thriving and bustling center with the business district along Commercial Street. The two towns settled their differences in 1887 and overwhelmingly voted for consolidation. The Mid-Town District, located between the two rival
towns, was subsequently developed during Springfield's railroad era. The Mid-Town auto tour begins at the southwest corner of the district which is anchored by Drury College and its landmark Stone Chapel.

For more information, please visit http://www.ci.springfield.mo.us/community/history_museum/midtown_tour/

Chamber of Commerce


Special Collections and Archives

On Wednesday, July 30, 2008, we met with Dave Richards and Anne Baker. They explained the Archives, and we broke up into two groups for a tour and individual discussions of our topics.

The Special Collections and Archives Department preserves and provides access to the research, manuscript, rare book, and archival collections of Missouri State University.

The collections can be divided into four broad categories:

• The University Archives serves as the institutional memory of Missouri State University and contains records that chronicle the history and development of the institution back to its founding in 1905;
• The Ozarkiana Collection is a selective collection of books, journals, and manuscripts concerning the social, cultural, political, and economic history of the Ozarks and the Southwest Missouri region.;
• The Ozarks Labor Union Archives contains records of over 100 labor unions in the Ozarks and Missouri; and,
• General Special Collections provides access to rare books, subject-specific literature collections, and archival materials that complement the institutional and regional holdings.

To learn more about specific collections, visit the “Collection List” links at left. More information on accessing materials, collecting policies, and visiting campus is located under General Information. Resources in Special Collections and Archives are available to the public and the University community, but do not circulate outside the department's reading room.

Location

Meyer Library
Room 306
850 S. John Q. Hammons Pkwy
Springfield, MO 65897
(417) 836-5428

Reading Room Hours