Kellerman Foundation hosts open house at Flag House

The Kellerman Foundation for Historic Preservation held an open house Friday at the Flag House in Cape Girardeau.

Three speakers with local ties and military decorations made presentation: Max Lederer, publisher of the Stars and Stripes newspaper; Dale Dye, Cape Girardeau native, U.S. Marine veteran and Hollywood actor; and Jack Jackson, Vietnam veteran and former test pilot for Boeing in St. Louis.

Each speaker shared brief stories about their time in the military, while participants enjoyed snacks and beverages provided by the Kellerman Foundation.

Frank Nickell, regional historian with the Kellerman Foundation and former history professor at Southeast Missouri State University, said the foundation wanted to host the open house over the weekend so it would coincide with Liberty Days, an annual event hosted by the Stars and Stripes Museum in Bloomfield, Missouri.

"We thought this would be a great time to have these three dignified speakers come to visit," Nickell said.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Nickell said there have been less opportunities to host events like the open house.

"We wanted to take the opportunity to do an event like this because it allows us to bring people together who have common interests, and it focuses on and enhances our understanding of history," Nickell said.

Max Lederer, publisher of the Stars and Stripes newspaper, speaks Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, at the Kellerman Foundation's Flag House, 740 North St. in Cape Girardeau.Brooke Holford ~ Southeast Missourian

The Flag House, located at 740 North St., also known as the Oliver-Leming House, was where original resident Marie Watkins Oliver designed the Missouri state flag.

The Kellerman Foundation for Historic Preservation encourages and supports historic preservation in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois, while connecting the community to its architectural, historical and cultural legacy by telling its stories, according to its website.

For information on upcoming events and exhibits, visit www.kellermanfoundation.org.