Native Sons and Daughters at the Dedication of the National Archives Central Region offices, May 23
Norm Besheer, Dan Creasy, Joanne Collins, Ed Shutt and Dan Sturdevant
manned the Native Sons and Daughters booth at the History and Genealogical Fair during the May 23 dedication of the new offices of the
National Archives at Kansas City. Dan and Norm are seen in the photo below.
The renovated space formerly occupied by the Adams Express offices at the west lower end of Union Station and vacant since the early 1980s has been transformed into modern space to house the Central Region archives of documents generated by the federal government.
Contact and partnerships were discussed with many other history
organizations present. One new member application was completed by Frank McMillian, with about 10 applications being given to prospective new
members. Also visiting were Mary Lee Sturdevant, Tom Platt, Keith
Krieger, Donna Kelly, Dan and Judy Jackson and others.
At the 10:00 a.m. opening ceremony, Clifton Daniel, grandson of Harry and Bess
Truman, spoke mostly about the letters between Harry and Bess Truman,
preserved at the Truman Library, showing the loving relationship between the
two.
Western Historical Manuscript Collection tour, May 16
David Boutros, Associate Director, Western Historical Manuscript Collection, Kansas City, and Native Sons and Daughters member, conducted the tour of the Native Sons and Daughters Archives housed at the WHMC. He provided us with an understanding of the extensive collection and organization and retrieval capabilities of documents about the history of the Kansas City area history provided at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection.
David said that the Native Sons and Daughters Archive is “the first collection I suggest people research about Kansas City history.” This continues to be the repository present and future, for our organization. David also explained that the new collection is to be housed in the new UMKC Miller Nichols Library, now undergoing renovation.
A fund raising campaign for the collection is underway, and the photo below shows Phase I of the Native Sons commitment to the Collection. One option is for the new classroom in the new collection to be named “Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City Classroom.” Fundraising efforts continue. Please contact Dan Sturdevant, President, if you have questions or wish to make a donation to further the mission of the Native Sons and Daughters.
Sitting: Dan Sturdevant, David Boutros, Associate Director, Western Historical Manuscript Collection, Kansas City, Eleanor Schwartz,former UMKC Chancellor. Standing: Gary Hicks, David and Nancy Baumgartner, Dan and Judy Jackson, Don Dibble, Arlene Schumann, John Dillingham, Bob Sigman. Norm Besheer, Tom Platt, Mary Lee Sturdevant, Ed Shutt, Eileen Sullivan, Tom Sims, Sylvia and Dan Creasy, Cherie and Jeff Davis.
Norm Besheer elected 2nd Vice-President
The NSDKC Executive Committee has elected Norm Besheer to the position of 2nd Vice-President, at its May 13th 2009 meeting, to complete the 2009 term previously held by Lee Pickering. Norm will continue to fill the duties of his position as Secretary until the Board later elects another for this position. Norm's bio will be found in the Officers and Directors section.
Sad News
Lee Pickering, 2nd Vice-President, Communications Secretary, and Community Service Project chair for the Alexander Majors Home, died suddenly on Tuesday, April 28. Lee helped spearhead many initiatives for the Native Sons and Daughters and we will miss him. (He is pictured at the far right of the photo above.)
The Board of Directors of Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City is very pleased to announce its 2009 Outstanding Kansas Citian Award Recipient to be John A. Dillingham.
The dinner honoring Mr. Dillingham will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2009, 6:00 p.m., at The Golden Ox, 1600 Genesee, in Kansas City, Missouri. John's father, the late Jay B. Dillingham, established the restaurant over 60 years ago. Mr. Dillingham, a member and past president of the Native Sons and Daughters, will be honored for his many outstanding civic achievements as well as his contributions to documenting the history of greater Kansas City.
Do you know a location to nominate for a historic marker?
We've posted an application form (pdf)on the Historic Markers page.
The Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City
Since 1932, the Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City has been on the forefront of historic advocacy and preservation in the Greater Kansas City, Missouri, area. Its goal, in the words of first President, D. Ralston Spaulding, is to "be a booster organization as well as a society for reminiscence...We intend to link the past with the present and the present with the future. We who are native best understand its problems."
Members come from a wide variety of backgrounds, professions and interests, but their common bond is an intense love of Kansas City and the desire to be part of an organization dedicated to the recognition, preservation and restoration of Kansas City's unique and rich heritage.