| It’s Your Museum--Enjoy! By Carolyn A. Larsen, Curator Organ Concert Recently, on a very lovely sun-filled autumn day, I had the chance to go to Lincoln, Nebraska, with a friend, Brenda Hamby. While there, we were honored to be given a private organ concert at First- Plymouth Congregational Church by the son of Brenda’s friends from Kentucky. The church is in itself, something of a museum, certainly historical. Organized in 1866 it is the oldest continuing congregation of any kind in Lincoln. Construction of the church started in 1929 and was not completed until 1931. Since then it has had several additions and is quite a huge church. I believe, its architecture is considered Art Nouveau. (Although I am not certain of that and forgot to ask while there.) I do know that it has a lovely courtyard with cloisters and equally lovely plantings. The interior is truly something you must see rather than read about. There is a “Singing Tower”, so named because of the carillon within the tower that can be heard for miles when it is being used. First-Plymouth Church is also home to the Lied Organ and the award-winning Abendmusik: Lincoln concert series which has brought countless world-renowned composers, soloists, ensembles and conductors to Lincoln. John E. Cummins is, and has been for a little over a year, the director of music programs at the church. There are vocal choirs, handbell choirs and a resident brass ensemble. John is hoping to get an active children’s choir going soon. From Kentucky, John got his start in music as a young boy when his mother gave him piano lessons. From then he knew he had to play the organ and would continue to do so all his life, if he were lucky. Dr. Cummins (did I mention he has a doctorate in music?) is a well-known organist and has had concerts across America and in Europe. He also has several CD’s in circulation. It is John E. Cummins who gave the private concert for Brenda and me. He played the humongous pipe organ known as the Lied organ and you could see and hear the enjoyment he gets from being able to play. Though I am no music critic, I am certain that Dr. Cummins’ parents and friends can be justifiably proud of his talent and his warmly generous nature. Should you find yourself anywhere near, or actually going to, Lincoln, stop and see the lovely church and organ at First-Plymouth Congregational Church, 2000 D Street, Lincoln, Nebraska. Perhaps you’ll even see and/or hear Dr. Cummins. |
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| The Historic town of Weston has many popular events scheduled throughout the year. For more information 816-640-2909 www.westonmo.com |
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| By Carolyn A. Larsen, Curator Spring Street Having given you a bit of the history of the Thomas Street bridge, I have been also researching for information on the Spring Street bridge. In May of 1869 Weston was busy building bridges on both Spring and Thomas Streets. A storm accompanied by torrential rains that month caused damage to both bridges. July of 1869 saw the new bridge on Thomas Street completed. September 24, 1886 an item in the local newspaper had this to say: “The Chronicle has at last succeeded in inducing the city council to fence in or tear down that “man trap” on Spring street. Now for a new bridge, either iron or stone. At the same time we would advise them to condemn the Thomas street bridge as it is not safe. If any of you don’t believe it ask some bridge commissioner. If we can’t have a new bridge, for the taxpayers sake, save the city a damage suit.” Two different weeks in November 1886 The Weston Chronicle wrote scathing editorials aimed at the city council urging them to build a new rock or iron bridge across Spring street and also the bridge across Thomas Street. A May 6, 1887 issue brought the following: “On Monday last the County court was presented with a petition, as predicted by The Chronicle last week. The petitioners prayed for aid from the county to help the City of Weston build a good substantial bridge across Thomas street. The court appropriated $3,000.00 provided the City of Weston would build a $6,000.00 bridge. The County court never appropriated money to a better advantage. The next problem for our city dads will be: “How will the farmers get to town while they are having the new bridge built.” We would suggest that a bridge be built across Spring street from the old Thomas street bridge. As everyone knows it will take some time to build the new bridge and the farmers must have some way to get to town.” March 3, 1930, The Chronicle reported “Last Saturday during the continual rain the fill of the west approach of the new Thomas street bridge caved in on account of the pipe which carried the water from the gutters through the stone abutment leaking. Last Saturday afternoon during the rain and all day Sunday many of our citizens viewed the damaged bridge, and the opinions expressed were many and somewhat different, but all hoped that it would be repaired at once.” Then on July 29, 1887 The Weston Chronicle noted “Work on both bridges (Thomas and Spring Streets) is progressing rapidly. The Spring street bridge is expected to be completed tomorrow evening.” It would appear that these bridges were of wood and perhaps some stone as was the case in many bridges throughout Platte County. The Weston Chronicle again notes, on December 22, 1899 “The new iron bridge across Mill creek on Spring Street was completed Wednesday evening and is now ready for travel. The bridge is an iron span 58 feet long and 12 feet wide. The cost of the iron works to the city is $475 but the material if bought now would cost about $600. The bridge is first class in every respect and the city officials deserve some praise for erecting such a structure as it is greatly needed for the convenience of many.” From an earlier column about the Thomas Street bridge, we know that the iron bridge there was completed in 1888. It stood until 1925. How did the bridge on Spring Street fare? October 27, 1922 we find: “Work on the new concrete bridge to be built over the Mill creek on Spring Street was commenced recently and the foundation is going in this week. Our own Mayor, M.R. Waggoner, is superintending and engineering the job, in an effort to save money for the city. This bridge was badly needed and will be a valuable addition to one of Weston’s finest streets. We are anxious to see the same thing repeated in regard to the Thomas Street bridge which is by no means in first class condition and which has much travel over it.” Thus it would seem that the Spring Street bridge lasted until 1922 just three years before the Thomas Street bridge was replaced by Mayor Waggoner. Lastly, in September 1942 we find this item “The pedestrian side of the Spring Street bridge has been torn up, this week. Oscar Holland, city street man, is putting in some new braces and otherwise repairing the framework. He will relay the floor and make it safe for those who use it.” Unless I find more, that seems to be the history of the two bridges on main thoroughfares in Weston. |
| It’s Your Museum--Enjoy! By Carolyn A. Larsen, Curator Tobacco Show This morning as I sit at my computer, it is cloudy, drama of the trees turning colors. These days return me to the years of the tobacco shows we used to enjoy here in Weston. Needless to say the smell of tobacco permeated everything, being held in the tobacco warehouse. The floor of the warehouse was generally covered with booths ringing the edges of the area. The Weston Chronicle always had one to the paper, but also to gather news from those in attendance. Their were extra chairs in the booth for those who just wanted to visit a bit and take a load off their feet for a few minutes or so. Often times there was a cot or crib to help out when little ones got tired and were in need of a place to rest. The Weston Garden Club ladies were quite prominent in the tobacco show. There would be shelves of garden produce (peaches, pickles, applesauce, mincemeat, etc.) that had been canned and were up for judging. Pies, cakes jams and jellies were also on display and being judged. There would be music from different local bands, booths with cotton candy, balloon throws, shooting the ducks as they went by, as well as a type of duck pond. People could see demonstrations of cooking, dress-making, etc. There might even be a style show by the Home Ec. gals from the Weston High School. When TV came to town, several TVs were set up for people to view. You could also see the latest in refrigerators, ovens, etc. Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts also did their bit with flag presentations, exhibits and demonstrations. Your writer, as a then Girl Scout, once had to demonstrate the art of cake making. Twice that afternoon I demonstrated making a “silver layer cake” and by the time the batter got home and was actually baked, the layers came out flatter than a pancake. Tasty, but flat! So we made a boiled brown sugar sauce, poured it over the cake and added ice cream on the side. Not bad, even if very, very flat. Square dancing, regular dancing, bingo and other entertainment could be enjoyed. The sounds of laughter and chatter of visiting along with the aroma of hotdogs and hamburgers filled the evening air. Neighbors met and visited; young people brought their dates for the sights, sounds and entertainment; school children brought their parents to see their artwork or other school projects displayed in the school’s booths. In retrospect perhaps it was a time when folks were a little kinder, a little more courteous towards one another, a bit friendlier. A time of innocence perhaps, when parents could let their children run around all over the warehouse, knowing that others would help look out for them too. It was certainly a good family time and there are lots of good memories for many of the participants. See what gray autumnal days can bring to mind? Save this date! November 11, 2007 is the Annual Museum Dinner. Even if you are not a member, you are invited to attend. The time is 5:30 p.m. in the Weston United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at 533 Main Street in Weston. The dinner will be catered by the Avalon Cafe and cost is $15.00 per person. Reservations need to be made either by mail or by phone and the deadline is ______________. |
| Weston Historical Museum |
| Weston Historical Museum 601 Main Street - Weston, MO 64098 |
a German Lithograph painted late 1800's, depicts Weston, Mo when the town was a busy river port
| Weekly columns written by a former curator Carolyn Bless Larsen, Click on the titles below left to read your past favorites! |