StateHistorical's Buzz

"March 15, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The Society will host a family history miniconference with two workshop sessions. At 10:00 a.m., Society reference specialist Seth Smith will discuss how to use the Draper Manuscripts, a compilation of early American primary documents, as a tool for genealogical and academic research. The afternoon session, beginning at 1:30 p.m., led by Winifred Horner, an award-winning professor of English at the University of Missouri-Columbia and founder of MU?s Campus Writing Program, will focus on writing personal memoirs. The afternoon workshop will conclude at 3:00 p.m. The miniconference will cost $15.00 for members, $30.00 for nonmembers."

"February 2, 6:30 p.m. Thespian Hall, Boonville The State Historical Society?s MoHiP (Missouri History in Performance) Theater will present Clyde Ruffin as William Wells Brown, the man who escaped from slavery and became an accomplished speaker and the first published black playwright in the United States. Presented as a concert reading, the program will cover the life of Brown as culled from his autobiography as well as portions of his play The Escape, or A Leap for Freedom. Musicians Cathy Barton and Dave Para will accompany the actors in performing several of Brown?s songs. The performance is supported in part by the Friends of Historic Boonville and the University of Missouri-Columbia Department of Theater. For ticket information, call (660) 882-7977 Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m."