by Richard Schroeder
Museum Chairman
As you step from the lobby into the Moniteau County Historical Society museum the first display is about Natural History. As the first settlers did, the museum visitor will discover a wide collection of plants and animals that are common to this area. There are no labels or descriptions on the items so the visitor may experience the wonderment of discovery as did the early Europeans. Exhibited are samples of three of the four common minerals that later became an important early industry and supported several towns that prospered from the mining industry. The display is centered around three important ecological areas; forest, prairies and water. Before settlement Moniteau County was two thirds forested and one third prairie. Today the county is two thirds agricultural and one third forested. There are no native prairies left in this area. Test your knowledge at identifying the plants, animals and minerals represented in this first museum display. Next week: How Moniteau County received its name.