Nodaway County Historical Society Museum facts for kids
The Nodaway County Historical Society Museum is a special place in Maryville, Missouri. It tells the story of Nodaway County, Missouri, in the United States. The museum collects and shares items that show what life was like in the past. It's a great spot to learn about the history of this area.
The museum has many interesting items from famous people who lived in Nodaway County. These include things from Dale Carnegie, who wrote popular books, and Homer Croy, a well-known author. You can also see items from actors like Smiley Burnette and Lynne Overman. The museum also features items from Sarah Caldwell, a famous opera director, and Horace A. "Jimmy" Jones, a legendary horse trainer.
One of the museum's biggest collections is about horse racing. It has many items from Calumet Farm and the famous racehorse Citation. Citation won the Triple Crown, which is a huge achievement in horse racing. This collection is thanks to trainer Jimmy Jones, who had strong ties to the county.
The museum is located in the Caleb Burns House. This historic house became part of the museum in 1977.
Stairway of the Stars
Each year, the museum honors people who have made important contributions and have connections to Nodaway County. This special recognition is called the "Stairway of the Stars." Many of these honored individuals have items displayed in the museum. Here are a few examples of the interesting people who have been inducted:
Famous People Honored
- Lynne Overman was a movie actor. He appeared in many films during his career.
- Smiley Burnette was also a movie actor. He was known for his roles in Western films, often playing sidekicks.
- Alma Nash was a talented performer. She was part of the famous 1923 Ziegfeld Follies show. Later, she returned to Maryville to teach music.
- Sarah Caldwell was a groundbreaking figure in opera. She was the first female director at the famous Metropolitan Opera.
- Elizabeth E. Stewart Howell was an inventor. Her 1891 patent was very important for the history of the Lazy Susan. A Lazy Susan is a spinning tray often used on tables.
- Horace A. "Jimmy" Jones was a highly respected horse trainer. He worked for Calumet Farms and trained two horses that won the prestigious Kentucky Derby.
- Edwin Harris Colbert was a leading expert on dinosaurs. He was the Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History for 40 years.
- Bill Tobin was a professional football manager. He served as a general manager for both the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts.
- Vince Tobin was a football coach. He coached the Arizona Cardinals team.
- Emma Holt Prather was a pioneer in horse breeding. She was the first woman to breed a horse that won the Kentucky Derby. Her horse, Elwood, won while at Faustiana Farm.
- Leo Baumli was a mule farmer. One of his mules, named Ruth, was famous for being one of the mules used in the TV show Gunsmoke. Ruth belonged to the character Festus Haggen.
- Uel W. Lamkin was a president of Northwest Missouri State University. He played a key role in education in the region.
