New County History Center brings back old memories

Walking into the Cape Girardeau County History Center in Jackson, a huge patchwork quilt hangs along the left wall with a note at the side table reading "do not touch."

This quilt is the work of Idell Brown Dockins, called "The Brown Family Quilt." It's the Brown family tree, with photos emblazoned onto pieces of fabric patched throughout the quilt. The quilt contains about 50 pictures, each one labeled, such as "The Brown House" or a person's wedding, along with dozens of names carefully stitched into the fabric.

It's the first thing visitors saw when they walked in the door during the opening day Sunday of the history center.

Ann Crites of Cape Girardeau, touring the center with her husband, pointed to a picture in the quilt and smiled, recognizing one of the people in the image.

"... They were actually friends of my parents, and I told Bud, 'I didn't think anyone probably remembered them; they've been gone such a long time,' she said, "so it was really neat to see their picture up there."

Bob Walker, left, a staff member of the Cape Girardeau County History Center, and director Carla Jordan look at a newspaper clipping Sunday at the center. (Fred Lynch)

Crites also recalled another image on the quilt of a man standing next to a large steam engine.

"Of course I remember Mr. Brown and his steam engines from when I was kid," she said, "because my mom and dad liked to go when he had these demonstration thrashings."

Her stories were one of the many who visited the Cape Girardeau County History Center on Sunday.

Carla Jordan, a preservationist who works with the Lutheran Heritage Center and Museum in Altenburg, Missouri, seems to be the backbone of the center.

As she visited with groups, people constantly stopped her with a congratulations or a question, and she had all the answers.

"... The reason we're calling this a history center and not a museum is we do have historic displays, but it's a history center because it's going to be alive," Jordan said.

"Everything about this place is going to rotate and change and be alive. And we hope it's as reflective of the entire Cape Girardeau County as possible."

Jordan's passion is evident as she speaks about the county's history, talking about places such as Tilsit, Neely's Landing, New Wells and Shawneetown -- all places she feels are deserving of space in the history center.

The current exhibit, "Spring into History," features award-winning quilter Lynn Taylor's floral quilt collection until June 1. From June 5 to Aug. 15, the center will display "Hardware & Tool History in Cape Girardeau County."

Exhibits will rotate every 60 to 90 days.

Over the summer, Jordan hopes to have a series of events, including storytelling in the children's area, a documentary-style photography class, weekly coffee events and workshops.

On May 23, River Heritage Quilt Guild members will meet at the center to learn about paint embellishment methods from Taylor -- one of many meetings Jordan planned.

Jordan explained her role in helping create the center as although it wasn't her vision, the people who worked closely with her and helped make it possible envisioned a space that "particularly matches what I like doing," she said.

"I was trained as an archivist, but exhibit design is kind of my forte, so it's kind of a nice compliment. So I use those techniques, but I make it their dream and their vision," Jordan said.

One thing she is proud of is the children's area to the right.

With a teepee, books and a coloring station, children have a safe place to play where they're allowed to touch everything.

The history center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily except holidays. Admission is free.

For more information on how to get involved with the center, call 573-979-5170.

smaue@semissourian.com

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