When the idea of a museum of national stature was proposed to be located in Bloomfield, Missouri, many asked, why Bloomfield?  Others suggested that such an important tribute to history should be located in our nations capitol, or perhaps in New York City.  Certainly such an institution should not be located in a small, rural place such as Bloomfield.

The Department of Defense has recognized Bloomfield as the birthplace of The Stars and Stripes, in the Congressional Record.

We asked ourselves, why Bloomfield?  The answer has become obvious to us.  Where better to preserve the contributions made by the Stars and Stripes newspaper than in the place of it's birth?  The importance of such a museum/library would be lost in the complexity of the Smithsonian Institute or the diversity of cultural amenities in New York City.  Nowhere is there a group of people more dedicated to the success of preserving the history of the Stars and Stripes, than in Bloomfield, Missouri.

The site for the museum is within an easy drive of six universities and four junior colleges, representing over 60,000 students.  The population center of the United States is less than 100 miles away.  More than 44,000 tourists pass through this area each year and the location is less than 3 hours from both St. Louis and Memphis.

The Department of Defense has recognized Bloomfield as the birthplace of The Stars and Stripes, in the Congressional Record.

Jerry L. Elder
Retired LTC, USAF
Businessman, Educator
Vice President

Thomas K. Howard
TWA Airline Pilot
Retired CAPT.  USNR
"Friends" Chairman

Dr. Joe Baker
Veterinarian

Jack Dragoni,
Former Postmaster and a
Vietnam vet

Dr. Frank Nickell
Professor of History,
SEMO U.

Mike Williams
Businessman
Secretary

Clifford Manlove
USAF, LTC Retired

John Dowdy
Farmer, Collector
A/M Director

Gary B. Capps
Federal Employee
Executive Director

Bill Matthews
Retired LTjg, USN
Office Manager

Employees:

Deloris May
Former Tourism Director,
Office Manager, Archivist

Friends:

Bill Elmore
Construction Supervisor