Cape River Heritage Museum opens with Jerry Ford exhibit

The Cape River Heritage Museum kicked off its 2009 season Saturday morning with new exhibits, an expanded gift shop and a performance by The Jerry Ford Orchestra.

About 35 people visited the historic site at Independence and Frederick streets to celebrate the new season.

"This year we renovated the entire museum and changed all the exhibits, so it's different from what's been here before," said volunteer director Viney Mosley. "For a theme, we are celebrating milestones."

Those milestones include the 100th anniversary of the fire department, the 100th anniversary of Louis Houck's books on Missouri history and the 70th anniversary of the sharecroppers roadside demonstration in the Bootheel. Exhibits featuring these anniversaries are either already on display or will be in coming weeks.

But the focus of Saturday's season-opening event was on the 50th anniversary of Jerry Ford's music career. During the opening day festivities, visitors enjoyed the warm but windy weather with an outdoor performance by The Jerry Ford Orchestra. Some crowd members clapped and sang to the big band and swing classics, while one couple danced and received applause.

A walk-through of the museum featured historical displays such as the Missouri State flag, an American Indian exhibit and tales of other interesting people. But one room was dedicated to Jerry Ford's 50 years of music and seven community groups he and his band members have had longtime association with.

Trumpet player Narvol Randol joked with Ford saying, "So how does it feel to be old enough to be a museum?" Later, Ford laughed while talking about his 50-plus year history with the Cape Municipal Band. Quoting lyrics from a song by the 1940 and 50s trumpet player and bandleader Harry James, Ford said, "Kiss me once, kiss me twice. It's been a long, long time."

Ford's performance at the museum was one of eight concerts planned as part of a series termed "Saturday Mornings at the Museum." On the last Saturday of May through November, Ford will bring in one of his music groups to the museum for a free performance. The music, sometimes the band itself, will be different to reflect the organization being featured each month.

"We thought this would be a good way to highlight what I've done in the community. This is more about me and my orchestra members raising money for community organizations, not so much about our individual performances here and there," Ford said.

Ford founded Southeast Missouri Hospital's "Sounds of the Seasons" Christmas concert 13 years ago and has raised more than $150,000 for their cancer program. In addition, Ford said he and his musical groups have performed for about 20 Muscular Dystrophy Association telethons, about 15 Jaycee Follies shows and 30 years with the Salvation Army Tree of Lights campaign.

Next month's Saturday event at the museum will be directed at the Salvation Army Tree of Lights. Ford will recreate the Christmas mood with his brass combo May 30.

On June 27, the museum will highlight the Cape Girardeau Convention & Visitors Bureau Boat Dockings. Ford said his band has played for visitors coming off the Delta and Mississippi Queens, as well as the River Explorer, for many years. His Dixieland Band will play at the museum's Boat Docking event in June.

"It will be just like coming off the boat and coming to Cape, with the Dixieland Band greeting them," he said.

Other organizations to be highlighted include the Cape Municipal Band on July 25, Muscular Dystrophy/KFVS Telethons on Aug. 29, Illmo-Scott City Instrumental Music on Sept. 26 and Jaycee Follies on Oct. 31. The season will wrap up with Southeast Missouri Hospital's "Sounds of the Seasons" on Nov. 28.

"In a sense it's a seasonlong exhibit. It will change a little each month, but each month we will highlight one of these organizations," Ford said.

Mosley said the museum also has revised their mission statement and expanded their gift shop to reflect that change.

"We have items that represent our mission. They're made by artists, authors and craftsmen in Missouri," Mosley said.

The museum is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Beginning May 19, the museum hours will be noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 7 p.m. Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

To schedule a tour, arrange a program or inquire about volunteer opportunities, call 573-334-0405.

Pertinent Address: 538 Independence St. Cape Girardeau, MO 63703