The Shawnee Indian Mission was part of the inspiration behind the newest club/activity at the Barstow School. Student leader, Betsi Waldeck, realized that she and her fellow classmates were well-educated about the glory days of the Roman Empire and the struggles of the early tea-tossing patriots in Boston, but not much about the colorful history of their own hometown.
Waldeck, who grew up practically in the shadow of the Mission, had always liked having the Fall Festival and the Christmas Tree Sale right down the street, but had never toured the Mission itself or learned about its history.
When she began exploring the Mission and its story, she discovered that the Mission, like the city itself sits at a Crossroads of Culture, which became the name – and the purpose of the new club. It would focus broadly on the history of Kansas City as a melting pot of many different cultures, each of which contributed to the story of our city.
One of the new club’s first projects last year was a Saturday Work Day at the Mission. Under the direction of resident historian John Forbes, the students moved furniture, cleaned rooms, shelved books and created new displays in the North Building. This year, the club members plan to return for another work day and another chance to explore the history of the Mission.
Since forming the club, the founders have established contacts with the Jazz Museum, the Hispanic Culture Center and the Shawnee Indian Mission, all touchstones for local history and converging cultures. They remain on the lookout for other local resources that reflect the full spectrum of cultures that shaped this region.
The student leaders are also working on a succession plan for the club. Their goal is to spark enough enthusiasm for local history to pass the leadership baton to younger members who will carry on next year.