Southeast students create exhibit inspired by Sousa

Southeast Missourian

A new exhibit inspired by John Philip Sousa's 1929 visit to Cape Girardeau will kick off the Cape River Heritage Museum's opening season on Friday.

The exhibit, created by historic preservation students from Southeast Missouri State University, features historic band uniforms, instruments and photographs of local musicians. Artifacts and memorabilia are on loan from Dr. Dan Cotner and Dr. Robert Gifford.

The design and installation of the exhibit was part of a requirement for the Problems in Historic Preservation course at Southeast. Other students in the class are working on preservation of photographs, museum assessment, refurbishing the museum's photographic exhibits and carefully observing the museum's extensive collections.

Continuing exhibits at the museum include the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Cherokee heritage, Cape Girardeau's river boats, the Missouri flag, the Missouri mule, antique fire trucks and Doyle's Hat Shop. The museum, located at 538 Independence St., is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from March through December.

Groups may make arrangements for special tours by calling 334-0405.