BOLLINGER MILL HONORS BLACK HISTORY

BURFORDVILLE - The Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is helping to recognize Black History Month with an exhibit on 19th century black migration in the United States.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Tracy Mehan said the department is featuring special exhibits, handouts or activities at 19 state historic sites and two state parks in recognition of the month.

The free-standing, two-panel exhibit at Bollinger Mill is titled "Generalized 19th Century Black Migration in America" and is on the mill's first floor. Site Administrator Jack Smoot said the exhibit would be featured through the month.

"It's 19th century, so basically we talk about the importation of blacks during the slave trade and then some of the migrations that occurred after the Civil War after they were freed," said Smoot.

Smoot said the exhibit has a couple of graphics of North America, complete with arrows and labels explaining what happened.

The mill is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, including Saturday, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

This marks the second consecutive year that the Department of Natural Resources has informed visitors on a variety of topics relating to African-American history in Missouri.

"Black History Month provides the state historic site administrators an opportunity to explore with the visiting public dimensions of our heritage that are not ordinarily part of a site's interpretive programming," Mehan said.

Smoot said this year also marks the 75th anniversary of the state park system in Missouri, as well as the 25th anniversary of the Bollinger Mill as a state historic site. Throughout the spring and summer, he said, the mill will offer special events to celebrate the anniversaries.

During the last weekend of April, he said, the mill will serve as a stop on the Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive sponsored by the History Department at Southeast Missouri State University. Featured that weekend will be some spinners, weavers and quilters demonstrating their crafts, he said.

George G. Suggs Jr., of the university's history department, has said he would also attend to sign copies of the book "Water Mills of the Missouri Ozarks," said Smoot. Suggs and local artist Jake Wells collaborated on the book, which the mill sells.