Projects in place to get ready for bicentennial celebration

At the request of the Moniteau County Commission, the Moniteau County Historical Society has agreed to lead the county's participation in Missouri's Bicentennial.

Aug. 18, 2021, will mark the 200th anniversary of Missouri's entry into the United States as the 24th state.

A number of statewide events will lead up to the celebration. One of those events involves a traveling exhibit titled "Struggle for Statehood" started in February and will travel to different counties until December 2021.

The State Historical Society will offer guidance and direction to a statewide effort to promote and celebrate the state of Missouri's rich and complex history.

As part of the Bicentennial celebration, each Missouri county has been assigned a number of projects. Three of the projects are:

  • The Missouri Bicentennial Quilt Project is requesting quilters from each county to submit a quilt block that represents aspects of the geography, culture or landmarks of their county. A quilt block should be 6.5 inches by 6.5 inches; they will be finished at 6 inches by 6 inches. A description of what the block represents should accompany the submission. Entries should have no embellishments, contain no copyright images and be made of 100 percent cotton fabric. The submission deadline is Sept. 2, 2019. The submitter will need to complete an online form at Missouri2021.org and mail the quilt block to the State Historical Society at 1020 Lowry St., Columbia, 65201.
  • The My Missouri 2021 Photograph project is calling all professional and amateur photographers to help build a permanent visual retrospective of Missouri's physical and cultural landscape at the time of the state's bicentennial. The Missouri State Historical Society will select 200 images from those submitted. Photos may be submitted at missouri2021.org.
  • The Bicentennial Penny Drive will occur in Missouri public elementary schools. The drives are under way and will continue through spring 2021. The goal of the penny drive is to raise funds for the conservation of founding state documents. Schools can sign up by visiting mohumanities.irf/penny-drive or call 1-800-357-0909.

For more information, call 573-690-9363.