Evening at the Museum

The society presents programs on local history one evening a month from March through December at the museum. It's a very successful program for area residents interested in local history. The museum director or knowledgeable volunteers about subjects of local interest present the programs.

The programs are held the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.  in the museum at Fourth and Market streets. No charge for attendance. Freewill offerings are gladly accepted. 

May 14–Members of Downtown Washington, Inc., and the Washington Historic Preservation Commission will discuss ongoing efforts to preserve local structures. May is Historic Preservation Month in the U.S.

June 11–Walt Larson, author of "Price's Raid and Franklin County," will present information from that book.

July 9–Suzanne C. Pautler will present a photo presentation on "A Century of Clothing in Franklin County." She will explore clothing in Franklin County from the mid-1800s to mid-1900s including trends, how and where garments were obtained, their care, and local businesses advertisements. Includes photos of local men, women, and children are used to show farm work clothes, swimwear, feed sack clothing, Sunday-going-to-meeting attire and more.

August 13–Victoria Cosner and Lorelei Shannon, authors of "Missouri's Murderous Matrons," will discuss Catawissa's Bertha Gifford, a notorious local area serial killer.

September 10–Bill Stewart will inform us about Ben Franklin, Our County's Namesake.

October 8–Marc Houseman, a member of the Pacific Lodge in Washington and museum director, will tell us about Odd Fellowship in Franklin County.

November 12–Steve Claggett of the Four Rivers Genealogical Society will share information about Franklin County Founders.

December 10–Mariko Pegs, a descendant of Franklin County African-Americans, has been doing research for her doctoral dissertation. Her program is "African American Families Living Along the Diagonal in Missouri." She will focus on African-Americans in Franklin County.