LOCAL LORE: REGIONAL MUSEUMS OPEN FOR SEASON, EACH WITH UNIQUE LOOK AT THE PAST

Museums and historic places attract visitors for a variety of reasons. Some people like to see the uncommon collections while others enjoy a refresher lesson in history. Southeast Missouri isn't without its own unique collections and historical museums. After being closed for the winter, several of the museums open this weekend. Here's a highlight of what you'll see at some of the area's museums:

Cape River Heritage Museum

538 Independence

Linda Godwin's baby shoes, Rush Limbaugh's yearbook and artifacts from Louis Lorimier and Jess Stacy are some of the attractions that draw visitors to the Cape River Heritage Museum.

Director Patty Mulkey said the museum tries to create displays showcasing people from Cape Girardeau who have become famous.

"We have had some visitors come to see the Stacy exhibit especially," she said of the famous musician.

When the museum first opened in 1982, exhibits were rotated, but that involved too much work. Now most displays in the Lorimier Room and River Room remain constant. This year, visitors will see an exhibit that shows mementos from former Potashnick. Artifacts are still being collected for a small Civil War display, Mulkey said.

Other originals inside the converted firehouse are a painting of the Broadway Street mural and a casting of Missouri state seal. "It's unique and an honor to have the seal," she said, adding that many items were older and more historic.

The museum opened its first exhibit in 1982. Admission is $1 for adults and 50 cents for children.

St. Mary's of the Barren's

PERRYVILLE -- A combination of history and religious devotion draw most of the 5,000 yearly visitors to St. Mary's of the Barrens Seminary grounds, said the Rev. Charles Shelby, director of the Association of the Miraculous Medal, based at the seminary.

The seminary is the first higher education center founded west of the Mississippi River and St. Mary's Catholic Church is the oldest church still in use. Construction on the church began in 1827 and was completed 10 years later.

All 30 acres of the seminary grounds are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but it's not just the religious history that draws visitors to the 30-acre site in Perryville. A rare collection of paperweights, books, manuscripts and Chinese artifacts are some of the other things to see. Each collection is housed in a separate room of the library building.

The museum opens this weekend after a winter break. Regular tours are given throughout the week.

In a room decorated with furniture from the eras of Louis XV and XVI, is a collection of porcelain figurines and crystal paperweights.

People are very serious about the paperweight collection, Shelby said.

During a convention in St. Louis, a group came down specifically to see the Doheny collection, he said. The collection includes a pink rose paperweight and a French paperweight from the St. Louis, France, glass factory. A set of 12 silver "Apostle Spoons" also can be found in this room.

Another room holds a collection of rare manuscripts and books that date before the invention of printing, Shelby said.

"It's impressive to have the book collections," Shelby said, "but it's a serious job to be the caretakers and steward of that material."

One of the oldest manuscripts is the book of John from the Gutenberg Bible. Other manuscripts are first editions or early American literature.

The third room of the museum houses the archives of the Vincentian priests. Because there are only 35 Vincentian priests left in the Perryville area, the church records provide church history.

Vincentian priests settled in Perry County in 1818 in an area known as the Barrens. A log cabin on the seminary grounds was built for the priests when they first arrived. The cabin, complete with the original logs, is near the church cemetery.

"It was used for just about anything when they got here," Shelby said. "Their superior wrote that they were `packed in like sardines in a barrel.'"

The seminary operated in Perryville until 1865 when it was moved to Philadelphia. In 1888, it moved back to Missouri as a training ground for Vincentian priests. The seminary stopped offering classes in 1985.

The last room on the museum tour is filled with Chinese artifacts, gifts from priests who studied in Perryville and later became missionaries to China.

Other places to see on the seminary grounds are the St. Mary's of the Barrens Church and Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

Many Catholics wear the medal that earned the name "miraculous" after many family miracles happened, Shelby said. The shrine chapel, built in 1929, is where Mass celebrated daily but is not part of a parish. The first parish priest, the Rev. Felix De Andreis, is buried inside the church.

Oran City Museum

ORAN -- Members of the Oran Chamber of Commerce converted a Burlington-Northern railroad depot in the center of town into a museum two years ago.

Inside, visitors will find a collection of odds-and-ends related to this Scott County town.

The museum displays information about a bicentennial celebration in 1969, a medical diploma from a local doctor and a store ledger from the 1940s. A license plate that predates city stickers hangs above the door.

Because the museum is actually a former depot, chamber members hope to create a display of old railroad timetables and other artifacts.

Because it has no full-time director, the museum is usually open during city festivals and special events. For a tour, visitors can call Leroy Eftink at 262-2203.

WHERE TO GO

Museums now open in Southeast Missouri include:

Cape River Heritage Museum

538 Independence, Cape Girardeau

334-0405

The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Admission is $1 for adults and $.50 for children.

American Heritage Museum

I-55 and Airport Road, Cape Girardeau

334-2333

A collection of buggies, antique cars and tools. Advance reservations are required.

Southeast Missouri State University

Collection of rare books by William Faulkner at Kent Library.

University Museum at Memorial Hall

Open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

651-2260

Oran City Museum

downtown Oran

Call 262-2203 to arrange a tour.

New Madrid Historical Museum

1 Main St., New Madrid

748-5944

Displays history of a Southeast Missouri river town and earthquake exhibits.

Saxon Lutheran Memorial

Saxon Lutheran Drive, Frohna

824-5404

Religious and historical collections of Saxon migration to Missouri.

St. Mary's of the Barrens

1701 W. St. Joseph, Perryville

547-8344

Guided tours of the church and museums are given at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. weekdays and at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.