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Founded in 1991, the Stars and Stripes Museum/Library
Association, Inc. is a dedicated group of men and women committed to
preserving the history of the United States Armed Forces military
newspaper, the Stars and Stripes, at its birthplace. To date, we
have built a start-up museum of international importance in America's
heartland. Numerous artifacts, graphics, and newspapers dating from the
Civil War to the present are on display. Initial response has been
phenomenal. For example, in 1999 the newly opened museum received
thousands of artifacts for display from almost two hundred donors and was
visited by more than 5,000 people. Many more artifacts are being made
available from private citizens and members of the Stars and Stripes
Alumni Association as they donate their life-long collections as a public
legacy.
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"I do not
believe that any one factor could have done more to sustain the morale
of the American Expeditionary Forces than the Stars and Stripes".
General John J. (Blackjack) Pershing. |
We feel strongly about preserving the history of the
Stars and Stripes military newspaper, and that the completion of this
project will bring something to the center of the nation that is without
parallel. The importance of such a facility would be lost in the
complexity of the Smithsonian Institute or the cultural amenities of a
large city, but is of major importance in a rural area, an area where
people have proven to be so dedicated to preserving this piece of history.
The museum is less than 3 hours drive from St. Louis and Memphis and an
easy drive from six universities and four junior colleges, representing
more than 60,000 students. There are 44,000 tourist passing through this
area each year. This figure will increase with continued improvement of
Missouri State Highways 25 and 60, as well as Interstates 55 and 57. The
museum will be a landmark attraction, creating an economic draw whose
impact on the area will be significant.
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Persons involved in this project include Board member Dr.
Franklin Nickell, Director of the Center for Regional History at Southeast
Missouri State University. Jim Mayo, President Emitus, is a trustee of the
State Historical Society of Missouri, former member of the Missouri
State Historical Records Advisory Board, and co-author of Stoddard
Greys, a book about the Civil War. Our Manager, Deloris May, with
twelve years experience in tourism, has comprehensive training in the
operation of museums with a military theme. Curator Paul Arnold, has a
degree in Historic Preservation and teaching degree in history.
Many others, locally, nationally, and internationally, have contributed
their talents and economic support to create this museum. Our objective is to
increase the opportunities for students, historians and tourists to see the
important role the "Soldier's
Newspaper" has played in the lives of officers and enlisted men and women in
all major wars.
Uniquely able to respond to world events as the Stars
and Stripes continues to be published overseas for G. I. 's, the
museum provides an opportunity for visitors to appreciate the rigors of
the news media and sample the lives and duties of journalists. Examining
the newspaper's positive impact on service men and women of the Armed
Forces inevitably leads to realization of the intense demands placed upon
American service personnel. Using the library, researchers can investigate
particular people and events and conduct assisted investigations in our
archives. All these educational opportunities result in increased
awareness of the role of the Stars and Stripes, yielding patriotism
and an enhanced perception of history.
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