Centennial of state flag's creation in Cape Girardeau celebrated

The 100th anniversary of the adoption of the Missouri state flag, which was designed in Cape Girardeau, was commemorated Friday during the Flag Centennial Program in the Family Life Center at Centenary United Methodist Church.

The program, attended by nearly 200 people including state and local officials, was part of the three-day Missouri Flag Centennial Celebration.

"It's not only a celebration of the flag, it's also a celebration of our rich local history," said U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr.

State Rep. Kathy Swan presents a House resolution to Drs. Mary Ann and Bert Kellerman in recognition of their efforts in restoring the Oliver-Leming House at the Missouri Flag Centennial program. (Fred Lynch)

Limbaugh also serves as president of the State Historical Society of Missouri, co-sponsor of the celebration.

Mayor Harry Rediger welcomed those in attendance and said U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, who was scheduled to appear, had been called back to Washington, D.C., because of budget talks. However, Blunt was able to address the gathering through a prerecorded video message in which he discussed the history of the state flag and applauded the work of the State Historical Society, of which he is a member.

"I wish I were there," Blunt said.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder said it was appropriate for the State Historical Society to be in Cape Girardeau to celebrate the state flag and the region's history.

"It's the river towns that gave Missouri its birth," Kinder said.

The state flag was designed in 1913 by Marie Watkins Oliver, wife of state Sen. R.B. Oliver, at their home at 740 North St., now called the Oliver-Leming House. Penny Oliver-Chapell, great-granddaughter of Marie Watkins Oliver, said she wasn't surprised the house is still remembered.

"Cape has an amazing group of civic leaders who have kept the history alive," said Oliver-Chapell, originally from Cape Girardeau and now living in Evergreen, Colo. "Our family is grateful to be a part of this, but it's also about the history of Cape Girardeau, too."

Lynne Leming-Einsiedel, of Wauwatosa, Wis., came to the program with her husband, son and grandchildren.

"It's wonderful to be able to share what God blessed our family, and Cape Girardeau, with," Leming-Einsiedel said.

Leming-Einsiedel was born and raised in Cape Girardeau and lived in the house with her grandmother, Thelma Leming, while Leming-Einsiedel attended Southeast Missouri State University.

"The house was bought by my grandfather as a birthday gift for my grandmother," she said.

The Oliver-Leming House now is owned by Drs. Bert and Mary Ann Kellerman, retired professors from Southeast Missouri State University who Limbaugh said have "poured their hearts and souls" into restoring the house.

"It's an honor for us to own the house," Bert Kellerman said. "The restoration project has been tough. We've made a lot of progress in the last six months. There are things that still need to be done, but we're getting there."

The efforts of the Kellermans in restoring the house were recognized in a proclamation from the House of Representatives presented by state Reps. Kathy Swan and Donna Lichtenegger. The Kellermans also received a proclamation from the Senate from state Sen. Wayne Wallingford.

Toward the end of the program, Dr. Kenneth Dobbins, president of Southeast, announced that a partnership has been formed between the university and the State Historical Society to establish an on-campus research center to encourage historical studies and research in the Southeast Missouri region.

The program was followed by a Regional History Fair in the Family Life Center. The celebration concluded Saturday with tours of the Oliver-Leming House.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

300 N. Ellis Street, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

40 North Street, Cape Girardeau, Mo.