Want to see what Columbia looked like to photographers of the Missouri Photo Workshop in 1949 and 1959? I found the images stunning. Photographers come from across the U.S. and around the world to participate in this Workshop at the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism. Since 1949, Workshop participants have gone to a small town in Missouri…
Category: University of Missouri
Two surprise news items: Legion of Black Collegians history and Sanborn Field
At MU, in 1950, the first black student was enrolled at the University of Missouri. In 1968, there were fewer than 500 black students there and no black professors at all. That year, the Legion of Black Collegians was launched to support black students Two years prior, in 1948, a fungus was discovered that lead…
Romance, mistakes and hidden history
Watch out guys! If you think getting your beloved flowers is going to cut it after this, you might be mistaken. The house at 206 Bingham Road is going to put you to shame. Built in 1928, the Tudor Revival features the intertwined initials of architect Harry Satterlee Bill and his wife Florence Harrison Bill….
Six degrees of connection: Lucile H. Bluford
History is all about connections, change and, I hope, progress. Lucile H. Bluford isn’t from Columbia, Missouri but she’s connected to Columbia, Missouri. A book about this journalist, Black feminist and civil rights advocate was published on April 23, 2018 and I apologize for not publicizing it then. To buy it direct, click the title: “Lucile…
Tree loss at MU’s historic Francis Quadrangle
Five pin oaks will be removed from MU’s main quadrangle. Here are three different reports on the loss of the trees. The trees are 60 years old, but should have lived until 80 to 100 years, but the soil and watering to support the grass led to the early death of the trees, according to…
MU’s first female journalism graduate portrayed
The late Mary Paxton Keeley spoke from the beyond through an event sponsored by the Friends of the Historic Columbia Cemetery. Keeley, MU’s first female journalism graduate, said through this interpretive event she was on the steps in 1909 when Walter Williams opened the doors to the what is reported to be the world’s first…
Black women fighting for equality
Strong women fighting for equality isn’t new. At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, MU History Professor Keona K. Ervin will discuss her book, “Gateway to Equality: Black Women and the Struggle for Economic Justice in St. Louis.” The event will be held in Fisher Auditorium in 88 Gannett Hall. According to an announcement…
Dangers of historical research
East Campus history, Gathering Place closed in December 2017.
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
Mysterious lack of fanfare: Sigma Nu fraternity house at 710 S. College Ave. demolished
Part of the mission of this website is to mark the history — and the destruction of history — in Columbia in terms of its buildings. Mysteriously, there was little fanfare about the destruction of the 1915 Sigma Nu fraternity house at 710 S. College Ave. Here is a photo story published in the Columbia Missourian…
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