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Preserving the history and culture of the Ozarks is the charge of the Library’s Local History & Genealogy Department. Experience stories of people, places and events that shaped the region and discover how those stories are being preserved and shared.
The Arthur Duncan Jazz Trio in Concert
Thursday, May 1, 7 p.m.
Library Center auditorium.
The jazz stylings of the Arthur Duncan Jazz Trio, which began decades ago in the Central High School cafeteria, continue a rich tradition of Black musicians shaping the Ozarks' musical history. Bandmates Arthur Duncan, Ernie Bedell, and Richard Allen will perform and reflect on the Black Ozarks musicians who paved the way while sharing their efforts to leave a lasting musical legacy for future generations.
"The Weight of Blood" Book Discussion
Tuesday, May 6, 7 p.m. at the Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library.
Unravel a generational mystery in Laura McHugh's "The Weight of Blood," winner of the 2016 Missouri Literary Award for Fiction. Set in the rural Ozarks, the novel blends local flavor with suspense as 16-year-old Lucy Dane investigates the disappearance of her disabled friend.
The Ozarks in Imagination: Creating a Region with Fiction
Thursday, May 8, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
The dominant images of the Ozarks, from backward hillbillies to charming countrysides, were shaped largely by literature like Harold Bell Wright’s "The Shepherd of the Hills." Dr. Brooks Blevins, author and Noel Boyd Professor of Ozarks Studies at Missouri State University, will explore early works of fiction that defined the Ozarks' image and offer insights into depictions of class, race and religion in the region. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Missouri Gothic & Ozarks Noir
Thursday, May 15, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
The secluded hollers and small towns of Missouri offer a rich literary landscape for exploring family secrets, unsolved crimes and shady dealings. Dr. Katherine Gilbert, director of Drury’s Humanities and Ethics Center, will examine works of fiction that layer a rugged Ozarks over a gothic or noir underbelly, offering cultural context for how these tales merge classic tropes with modern themes to create successful new genres.
Police Matrons of the Ozarks: Revealing Unknown Literature
Saturday, May 17, 10:30 a.m. at the Republic Branch Library.
Much of women’s history, including in the Ozarks, is hidden in obscure records, brief newspaper accounts and family mementos. Connie Yen, director of the Greene County Archives, will share the untold stories of the Ozarks' forgotten police matrons, detailing her journey to uncover their lives, impact and the hidden history that shaped this important chapter.
National Cemetery Civil War Walk
Tuesday, May 20, 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Springfield National Cemetery, 1702 E. Seminole St.
Enjoy a stroll through the Springfield National Cemetery and hear true tales of Civil War soldiers, battles, monuments and the cemetery's evolving landscape, all drawn from historical records. Meet at the front entrance. Each walk is limited to 20 participants. Registration starts May 6; visit thelibrary.org/programs or call 417-883-5341.
Queer Life in the Ozarks: Preserving the LGBTQIA+ Community
Thursday, May 22, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
The Ozarks Lesbian and Gay Archives (OLGA) at Missouri State University preserves a rich history of queer life in the Ozarks, gathered from scrapbooks, letters, organizational records and more. Archivist Tracie Gieselman France, former GLO Center executive director Lou Hood, and USA TODAY national reporter Greta Cross will discuss the creation of OLGA, the role of written records in connecting the community, and ongoing efforts to capture and share queer history for future generations.
Women Writing an Ozarks Story
Thursday, May 29, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
From May Kennedy McCord’s columns and radio broadcasts to Marge Lyon’s famous novels about rural Missouri, Ozarks women have long created a literature of the region and shared its stories. Ozarks Alive’s Kaitlyn McConnell will delve into the impact of these influential women and their contributions to the Ozarks’ collective narrative.
"Yellow Jack and Turpentine": From Memoir to Novel
Thursday, June 5, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
A compelling retelling of the failed Am Olam commune in 1880s Northeastern Arkansas, "Yellow Jack and Turpentine" is the first historical fiction novel about Jewish life in the Ozarks. Author Dr. Mara Cohen Ioannides and historian Dr. Jason McCollom will discuss how one woman’s memoir inspired the novel, unpack the truth from fiction, and explore how memoir shapes both history and storytelling. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Milling Around: Exploring Ozarks Mills with Barbara A. Baird
Tuesday, June 17, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
Mills around the Ozarks offer both travelers and locals a chance to discover the rich history and beauty of these iconic buildings. Join Barbara A. Baird, author of "Milling Around: Exploring 26 Mills in the Missouri Ozarks" and the blog "The Accidental Ozarkian," as she takes you on a tour of the region’s most captivating mills. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
The Arthur Duncan Jazz Trio in Concert
Thursday, May 1, 7 p.m.
Library Center auditorium.
The jazz stylings of the Arthur Duncan Jazz Trio, which began decades ago in the Central High School cafeteria, continue a rich tradition of Black musicians shaping the Ozarks' musical history. Bandmates Arthur Duncan, Ernie Bedell, and Richard Allen will perform and reflect on the Black Ozarks musicians who paved the way while sharing their efforts to leave a lasting musical legacy for future generations.
"The Weight of Blood" Book Discussion
Tuesday, May 6, 7 p.m. at the Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library.
Unravel a generational mystery in Laura McHugh's "The Weight of Blood," winner of the 2016 Missouri Literary Award for Fiction. Set in the rural Ozarks, the novel blends local flavor with suspense as 16-year-old Lucy Dane investigates the disappearance of her disabled friend.
The Ozarks in Imagination: Creating a Region with Fiction
Thursday, May 8, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
The dominant images of the Ozarks, from backward hillbillies to charming countrysides, were shaped largely by literature like Harold Bell Wright’s "The Shepherd of the Hills." Dr. Brooks Blevins, author and Noel Boyd Professor of Ozarks Studies at Missouri State University, will explore early works of fiction that defined the Ozarks' image and offer insights into depictions of class, race and religion in the region. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Missouri Gothic & Ozarks Noir
Thursday, May 15, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
The secluded hollers and small towns of Missouri offer a rich literary landscape for exploring family secrets, unsolved crimes and shady dealings. Dr. Katherine Gilbert, director of Drury’s Humanities and Ethics Center, will examine works of fiction that layer a rugged Ozarks over a gothic or noir underbelly, offering cultural context for how these tales merge classic tropes with modern themes to create successful new genres.
Police Matrons of the Ozarks: Revealing Unknown Literature
Saturday, May 17, 10:30 a.m. at the Republic Branch Library.
Much of women’s history, including in the Ozarks, is hidden in obscure records, brief newspaper accounts and family mementos. Connie Yen, director of the Greene County Archives, will share the untold stories of the Ozarks' forgotten police matrons, detailing her journey to uncover their lives, impact and the hidden history that shaped this important chapter.
National Cemetery Civil War Walk
Tuesday, May 20, 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Springfield National Cemetery, 1702 E. Seminole St.
Enjoy a stroll through the Springfield National Cemetery and hear true tales of Civil War soldiers, battles, monuments and the cemetery's evolving landscape, all drawn from historical records. Meet at the front entrance. Each walk is limited to 20 participants. Registration starts May 6; visit thelibrary.org/programs or call 417-883-5341.
Queer Life in the Ozarks: Preserving the LGBTQIA+ Community
Thursday, May 22, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
The Ozarks Lesbian and Gay Archives (OLGA) at Missouri State University preserves a rich history of queer life in the Ozarks, gathered from scrapbooks, letters, organizational records and more. Archivist Tracie Gieselman France, former GLO Center executive director Lou Hood, and USA TODAY national reporter Greta Cross will discuss the creation of OLGA, the role of written records in connecting the community, and ongoing efforts to capture and share queer history for future generations.
Women Writing an Ozarks Story
Thursday, May 29, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
From May Kennedy McCord’s columns and radio broadcasts to Marge Lyon’s famous novels about rural Missouri, Ozarks women have long created a literature of the region and shared its stories. Ozarks Alive’s Kaitlyn McConnell will delve into the impact of these influential women and their contributions to the Ozarks’ collective narrative.
"Yellow Jack and Turpentine": From Memoir to Novel
Thursday, June 5, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
A compelling retelling of the failed Am Olam commune in 1880s Northeastern Arkansas, "Yellow Jack and Turpentine" is the first historical fiction novel about Jewish life in the Ozarks. Author Dr. Mara Cohen Ioannides and historian Dr. Jason McCollom will discuss how one woman’s memoir inspired the novel, unpack the truth from fiction, and explore how memoir shapes both history and storytelling. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Milling Around: Exploring Ozarks Mills with Barbara A. Baird
Tuesday, June 17, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
Mills around the Ozarks offer both travelers and locals a chance to discover the rich history and beauty of these iconic buildings. Join Barbara A. Baird, author of "Milling Around: Exploring 26 Mills in the Missouri Ozarks" and the blog "The Accidental Ozarkian," as she takes you on a tour of the region’s most captivating mills. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
The Arthur Duncan Jazz Trio in Concert
Thursday, May 1, 7 p.m.
Library Center auditorium.
The jazz stylings of the Arthur Duncan Jazz Trio, which began decades ago in the Central High School cafeteria, continue a rich tradition of Black musicians shaping the Ozarks' musical history. Bandmates Arthur Duncan, Ernie Bedell, and Richard Allen will perform and reflect on the Black Ozarks musicians who paved the way while sharing their efforts to leave a lasting musical legacy for future generations.
"The Weight of Blood" Book Discussion
Tuesday, May 6, 7 p.m. at the Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library.
Unravel a generational mystery in Laura McHugh's "The Weight of Blood," winner of the 2016 Missouri Literary Award for Fiction. Set in the rural Ozarks, the novel blends local flavor with suspense as 16-year-old Lucy Dane investigates the disappearance of her disabled friend.
The Ozarks in Imagination: Creating a Region with Fiction
Thursday, May 8, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
The dominant images of the Ozarks, from backward hillbillies to charming countrysides, were shaped largely by literature like Harold Bell Wright’s "The Shepherd of the Hills." Dr. Brooks Blevins, author and Noel Boyd Professor of Ozarks Studies at Missouri State University, will explore early works of fiction that defined the Ozarks' image and offer insights into depictions of class, race and religion in the region. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Missouri Gothic & Ozarks Noir
Thursday, May 15, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
The secluded hollers and small towns of Missouri offer a rich literary landscape for exploring family secrets, unsolved crimes and shady dealings. Dr. Katherine Gilbert, director of Drury’s Humanities and Ethics Center, will examine works of fiction that layer a rugged Ozarks over a gothic or noir underbelly, offering cultural context for how these tales merge classic tropes with modern themes to create successful new genres.
Police Matrons of the Ozarks: Revealing Unknown Literature
Saturday, May 17, 10:30 a.m. at the Republic Branch Library.
Much of women’s history, including in the Ozarks, is hidden in obscure records, brief newspaper accounts and family mementos. Connie Yen, director of the Greene County Archives, will share the untold stories of the Ozarks' forgotten police matrons, detailing her journey to uncover their lives, impact and the hidden history that shaped this important chapter.
National Cemetery Civil War Walk
Tuesday, May 20, 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Springfield National Cemetery, 1702 E. Seminole St.
Enjoy a stroll through the Springfield National Cemetery and hear true tales of Civil War soldiers, battles, monuments and the cemetery's evolving landscape, all drawn from historical records. Meet at the front entrance. Each walk is limited to 20 participants. Registration starts May 6; visit thelibrary.org/programs or call 417-883-5341.
Queer Life in the Ozarks: Preserving the LGBTQIA+ Community
Thursday, May 22, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
The Ozarks Lesbian and Gay Archives (OLGA) at Missouri State University preserves a rich history of queer life in the Ozarks, gathered from scrapbooks, letters, organizational records and more. Archivist Tracie Gieselman France, former GLO Center executive director Lou Hood, and USA TODAY national reporter Greta Cross will discuss the creation of OLGA, the role of written records in connecting the community, and ongoing efforts to capture and share queer history for future generations.
Women Writing an Ozarks Story
Thursday, May 29, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
From May Kennedy McCord’s columns and radio broadcasts to Marge Lyon’s famous novels about rural Missouri, Ozarks women have long created a literature of the region and shared its stories. Ozarks Alive’s Kaitlyn McConnell will delve into the impact of these influential women and their contributions to the Ozarks’ collective narrative.
"Yellow Jack and Turpentine": From Memoir to Novel
Thursday, June 5, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
A compelling retelling of the failed Am Olam commune in 1880s Northeastern Arkansas, "Yellow Jack and Turpentine" is the first historical fiction novel about Jewish life in the Ozarks. Author Dr. Mara Cohen Ioannides and historian Dr. Jason McCollom will discuss how one woman’s memoir inspired the novel, unpack the truth from fiction, and explore how memoir shapes both history and storytelling. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Milling Around: Exploring Ozarks Mills with Barbara A. Baird
Tuesday, June 17, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium.
Mills around the Ozarks offer both travelers and locals a chance to discover the rich history and beauty of these iconic buildings. Join Barbara A. Baird, author of "Milling Around: Exploring 26 Mills in the Missouri Ozarks" and the blog "The Accidental Ozarkian," as she takes you on a tour of the region’s most captivating mills. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Like this series? Love the Ozarks? Consider making a donation to the Library Foundation’s Preserving Ozarks History Endowment. Gifts to the fund make it possible for the Local History & Genealogy Department to continue preserving the rich history and culture of the Ozarks.
Visit foundation.thelibrary.org for more information.