So what’s a historic home? Does a 1950 home in a historic neighborhood count? I’d say so. When I saw that the house at 503 Westwood Ave. was up for sale, I knew I had to take a peek. Here’s your chance to do the same via the House of Broker’s site. Note, I don’t…
Author: diannaobrien
History blogger. Writer. Traveler. Curiosity drives me. I share what I learn at CoMoHistoricPlaces.com. My newest book, Historic Movie Theaters of Columbia, came out in October 2021. My 2017 book, From Melon Fields to Moon Rocks highlighted the life of Columbia resident Charles W. Gehrke, 1917-2009, a scientist and entrepreneur who founded ABC Labs, now Eurofins.
Favorite historic building fireplace?
This Saving Places blog post highlights photographs and information from six famous fireplaces from the nonprofit’s Preservation magazine. Sadly, not one of them is from our part of the country, Missouri, also known as the fly-over zone. But I’m betting people in Columbia, Missouri have their own favorite fireplaces from historic buildings. I’d love to…
A doctorate in historic preservation?
A recent news release proclaimed Columbia’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation was offering the United States’ first Ph.D. program in historic preservation. Yet, a search reveals the University of Texas at Austin has already been offering doctorate study in architecture and historic preservation. Either way, an opportunity to learn about historic preservation…
See art and the Niedermeyer Apartments
I’m a historic voyeur, always looking for opportunities to peek inside the historic buildings I write about. Surprisingly, not everyone welcomes me into their home or building to see the historic inside. Sometimes I find real estate videos or photos, but now here’s a unique chance to see the Neidermeyer. From 5-8 p.m. on Friday,…
Call to action to save an economic engine
The federal Historic Tax Credit, is on the chopping block, yet that might not make economic sense, according to the Rutgers Univesity’s Annual Report on the Economic Impact of Historic Tax Credit for FY 2015. Those seeking to rally opposition include Debbie Sheals, a local preservation consultant, and state and national nonprofits, Missouri Preservation, the National…
A historic note on #MeToo
The recent news about Harvey Weinstein and Hollywood’s outrage about his sexual assaults shows news affects people even when it happens far away. In 1855, 26 miles from Columbia, Missouri, a slave woman was hanged after she killed her white owner who had been raping her for years. The headline merely says a Missouri woman…
Dangers of historical research
East Campus history, Gathering Place closed in December 2017.
Three reasons lynching matters today
Lynching hit the news again in the Sunday, July 2, 2017 Columbia Missourian. The article relates that Missouri has the highest number of lynchings, 60, from 1877 to 1950 outside of the deep south. The headline calls lynching an old disgrace. I believe it is not a disgrace, it is a tragedy for three reasons….
You can make a difference
Volunteers needed to save parts of buildings scheduled for demolition. Work day set for Saturday, June 17. Contact Pat Fowler at fowlerpatj@gmail.com
The arts — and history — aren’t dead
Nine historic figures from Columbia, Missouri’s past will come to life during four-minute monologues to be presented from 1 to 4 p.m. on May 29
Explore CoMo History 