For Special or Private Tours Contact
Miss Lillie 573 377 2250
Miss Beverly 660 668 4997
Miss Lillie 573 377 2250
Miss Beverly 660 668 4997
After the Oktoberfest on the second weekend of October, the museum is open on weekends only until the Christbaum Fest.
The museum closes in the winter and reopens in the spring.
The museum closes in the winter and reopens in the spring.
The museum is designed to afford our visitors a "walk" through the history of this area,
from its earliest history of the area to include artifacts from the first residents of Benton County
predating Ezekiel Williams.
from its earliest history of the area to include artifacts from the first residents of Benton County
predating Ezekiel Williams.
Our Mission
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Our Focus
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The Mission of this Museum
To Inform To Educate To Commemorate To Conserve To Provide Enjoyment |
To collect and conserve items directly associated with the history of the Cole Camp community.
To relate the collections to the larger history of the state and the nation. To establish the collections and exhibits to provide an educational experience for the area students and citizens of the community. |
Development of the Museum
The museum was first organized in August 1995, when a group of interested persons met and formed a Board of Directors and elected officers. The city provided space in the City Hall which was the old gymnasium, built in 1936, giving the Museum half of the building. The Museum was incorporated as a tax exempt entity in November 1996.
Funds were obtained to refinish the floor and renovate other parts of the space allocated to the Museum. The Museum began accepting donations of items for the collections as well as items being loaned. A strict accounting and receipt system was established to receive items donated or loaned. Items for the exhibits were received weekly indicating public support. Funds were being donated even though no formal fund raising program had been implemented. This enabled the Museum to provide for some of the basic needs. The local bank provided over $3,000 in finds to construct the Native American exhibit. Other local businesses indicated a readiness to likewise underwrite certain exhibits. A letter asking financial support was sent out to businesses in the community in an initial fund raising effort. Additional funds were received from individuals. Extensive volunteer labor enabled the Museum to make considerable progress in preparing exhibits and renovation the building. In December 1996 the Museum opened for a special exhibit commemorating the start of World War II and including exhibits from all wars which involved people of the community. A second expanded exhibit was planned for December 1997. In October 1997 the Museum had a special exhibit opened for students of the community, primarily focusing on the Native American exhibit but including others that were being developed. |
Future Considerations in 1995
Efforts were being made to open the Museum around March 1 of 1997. The major requirements in meeting that goal were funds for the construction and preparation of exhibits and availability for the necessary skilled labor. Exhibits were to be properly displayed to ensure both an educational impact and security, this necessitated providing display cabinets and areas designated for each display.
After January 1, 1998 a local membership and fund raising program was to focus on area residents and businesses. All business contributions as well as major individual contributions were to be given maximum publicity in the area. Those willing to underwrite a specific exhibit would be recognized with an appropriate plaque prominently displayed at the exhibit. An objective of the Museum was to establish a fund to purchase items of special significance to the Cole Camp community when they may come available. Examples included: Two Civil War pistols that were used by area residents. One of these is of special value in that it had been used in the Battle of Cole Camp and was owned by one of the main supported of the Confederacy in this area. Two Civil War swords, again directly associated with individuals in this area. A harmonium, which is a small portable organ that was owned by the family on whose farm the Battle of Cole Camp was fought. It was in their house at the time of the battle. A spinning wheel brought from Germany by one of the early settlers. A Mid 1800's "Bridal Crown" which was tradition until early in 1900's. |
The Cole Camp Area is the main focus of the Cole Camp Museum. This will include the following:
All of northern Benton County from the Hickory Pettis and Morgan County lines and extending south the Lake of the Ozarks. It is also recognized that political boundaries do not always reflect historical or cultural boundaries and therefore certain areas outside those described above may be included in the exhibits and collections where deemed appropriate. Such area that have at some time been involved in the Cole Camp area and community include Bahner, Pyrmont, Bylers Mill, Haw Creek and to the Lincoln area.
All of northern Benton County from the Hickory Pettis and Morgan County lines and extending south the Lake of the Ozarks. It is also recognized that political boundaries do not always reflect historical or cultural boundaries and therefore certain areas outside those described above may be included in the exhibits and collections where deemed appropriate. Such area that have at some time been involved in the Cole Camp area and community include Bahner, Pyrmont, Bylers Mill, Haw Creek and to the Lincoln area.
The museum relies on visitors to help sustain them by donations. All staff are volunteers and without their hard work and perseverance, the operation of the museum would not be possible.
We would like to thank our volunteers for their dedication to this organization:
We would like to thank our volunteers for their dedication to this organization:
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Connie Bauer Earl Bauer Velda Barnes Kathy Berendzen Joe Brockman*/President Mary Frances Bugh Rosemary Cairer Shirley Cash Mildred Duffy Marlene Ehlers |
Shari Farrington Sharon Foraker Janis Garren Donna Gooch Ellen Harms Carlene Heimsoth David Heisterberg*/Treasurer Jackie Heisterberg Beverly Henning Ruth Kerksiek |
Elaine Miesner Diane Peck*/Secretary Delores Stelling Lillie Stelling Robert "Whitey" Wienberg Wilma Balke Williams Margaret Wilshusen |
The Cole Camp Museum Mailing Address
Post Office Box 22
Cole Camp, Missouri 65325 0022
The Cole Camp Museum Physical location
108 S Maple Street
Cole Camp Missouri 65325 1242
Phone 660 668 3037
Post Office Box 22
Cole Camp, Missouri 65325 0022
The Cole Camp Museum Physical location
108 S Maple Street
Cole Camp Missouri 65325 1242
Phone 660 668 3037
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