Preserving the Ozarks at the Library: Stories That Shaped a Region

The Library’s Local History & Genealogy Department is entrusted with the task of preserving the rich history and culture of the Ozarks. Join us this May for Preserving the Ozarks, a series where we'll delve into stories of the people, places and events that have left an indelible mark on the region. Find more information about these and other programs at thelibrary.org/preserve.

Molly Healey in Concert

Molly Healey, longtime fiddle player for the Ozark Mountain Daredevils turned experimental songwriter, began her solo career in 2015 with a simple looping pedal. Hear Molly solo as she performs a mix of originals and select covers that are cinematic, immersive and rooted in folk, rock and classical traditions at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 4 in the Library Center Hatch Auditorium. Albums and merchandise will be available for purchase and signing.

The Truth Ain't in Us: Mythology and the Mythological Ozarks

The Ozarks’ folklore and oral traditions form a rich regional mythology, while generations of outside perspectives have layered on national stereotypes, leaving the region misunderstood. Join Brooks Blevins at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7, in the Library Center’s Hatch Auditorium as he explores the area’s more colorful legends while challenging common misconceptions about the Ozarks and its people. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

The Bottomless Well of Water Street

A 1909 newspaper story about John Polk Campbell's "bottomless well" sparked a search for Springfield's founding site. Local History Associate Brandon Broughton will share his exploration through archives, maps and the muddy depths of downtown Springfield to uncover the lost birthplace of the Queen City of the Ozarks at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12 in the Library Center Annie Busch Auditorium.

Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America

Branson, Missouri, stands as a political, religious and cultural symbol of an enduring American ideal, inspiring sharply divided views. On Thursday, May 14 at 7 p.m. in the Library Center Annie Busch Community Room, Joanna Dee Das, author of "Faith, Family, and Flag: Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America," examines how this entertainment hub became central to the political right’s vision for the nation amid America’s ongoing culture wars.  Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Bloody Bill & the History of Civil War Guerrilla Violence

“Hope Never to See It” illustrates two extraordinary incidents of Civil War violence in Missouri — a Union spy’s two-week murder spree targeting civilians and the mutilation of nearly 150 U.S. troops by pro-Confederate guerrillas. Author Andrew Fialka explores the lives of those involved, including “Bloody” Bill Anderson, and shows how the book’s sequential art confronts these events, challenging the war’s glorification while encouraging reflection at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 28 in the Library Center’s Hatch Auditorium. Books will be available for purchase and signing.