Once again, a Local History Class is being planned for March and April 2009. It will be held on Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. We encourage everyone to participate by signing up for the class and/or volunteering to give presentations on topics relating to area history. Tell your friends and neighbors about these diverse programs. To enroll, contact Sharon Witte at East Central College 636-583-5193, ext 2410.

From year to year, we try to rotate the day of the week on which the class is held in order to give everyone the opportunity to attend. Sue Blesi is again co-ordinating the class. Anyone with suggestions can contact her at 573-927-2772. Several of our presenters have written books and you will have the opportunity to buy a signed copy. The line-up of presentations, although always subject to change, is as follows: 

March 11

7 p.m.— John B. Busch established his Washington Brewery in 1854, shortly after arriving in this country from Germany. He was 22 years old and an older brother of St. Louis’ Adolphus Busch of Anheuser Busch fame. John B. Busch will be appearing “in person” to share his life story and the business history of the brewery. (Marc Houseman) followed by a little “Hodgepodge” by Sue Blesi

8 p.m.—Did you know Franklin County once had a poor farm? Sue Blesi will cover the history of the Franklin County Poor Farm, its buildings, superintendents and residents.

March 18

7 p.m.—Dan Terry on Major James Wilson. Little known outside Franklin county historical circles, six Union soldiers were executed without trial on the banks of St. John’s Creek near Beaufort. Surprisingly, the U.S. government sanctioned the murder of six innocent Confederate prisoners in revenge for the Beaufort slayings.

8.p.m.—Jim Jackson, local authority on Daniel Boone, will talk about the real Daniel Boone as opposed to the legendary Daniel Boone; He will discuss the need to make Boone’s burial site (Warren Co.) into a state historic site.

April 1

7 p.m.—Sue Lampe will make a presentation on Land Records, showing us how she traces property back, layer by layer, to reveal the true history of the place and the people who lived there. Deeds are more than just paper transferring property; they are time capsules. This will be followed by a little Hodgepodge by Sue Blesi

8 p.m.— Sue Lampe will present a program on Tax Records, a little used asset in historical research. The taxes paid long ago tell of people and places if we just take time to look.

April 8

7 p.m. - David Menke on some famous neighbors on the early frontier. He will cover Daniel Boone’s connection to Phillip Miller, the founder of Miller’s Landing, and to John Coulter, of Lewis & Clark expedition fame.

8 p.m. - Doug Niermeyer’s topic will be “Men and Their Machines, A Look At Some of the Local Drivers in the Early Days of Nascar”.

April 15

7 p.m.—Rev. Bill Schwab on the history of the United Church of Christ in our area. He will talk about the Church society of the West.

8 p.m.—Randy Schwentker will present a pictorial session on advertising in New Haven, emphasizing the colorful and beautiful lithography of the era, bringing back memories of the free give-aways area businesses offered their customers. Schwentker is in the process of creating a comprehensive directory of this material and we will have a chance to preview it!

April 22

7 p.m.—Marc Houseman: Names, dates, even birthplaces may sometimes be gleaned from engraved tombstones. But what else? Come hear an explanation of the meaning of common symbols found on local grave markers, including those of fraternal societies and religious denominations.

8 p.m.—Steve Claggett will tell us about the only two Medal of Honor recipients from Franklin County: Lorenzo Immell (Civil War) and George Phillips (World War II). He will include family history and biographical information.

April 29

7 p.m.—Sue Reed will speak on one of the earliest pioneer families in Franklin County, the Jeffries Family

8 p.m.—George Bocklage, assisted by Bob Dohrer, will present a Power Point presentation on the International Shoe Factory and a second factory known as the Fore, KDK and Deb Shoe factory. Early photos and newspaper headlines are featured to show how both operations were recruited to establish in Washington and how their operations helped the town to grow and prosper.

Alternate Program: Sue Blesi will tell some of the history of Meramec Caverns and the Dill family. The caverns were discovered and utilized long before Franklin County was settled.