Looking Back: The Historical Society

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society

     It’s been over thirty years since a group of interested citizens first began to discuss a way to preserve the history of Grain Valley.  This group of amazing men and women became the backbone of our current Historical Society.
Winona Burgess was one of the organizers. During the first few years they met at the United Methodist Church on Capelle. Winona was joined by other church members and they reached out to “old timers” in the community. The Charter members included John and Barbara Washburn, Dorothy Greene, Harvey and Rosalie Kolster, Paul and Shirley Morganroth, Bill & Mary Gabriel, and Bob and Mildred Harmon, to name a few.
     In the early days they struggled with two issues, funds to support the society and a building to house their growing collection of artifacts. Early on, they depended on the City-Wide Garage Sale and an ice cream social to keep them afloat. By 1995, they added the Christmas in the Country Homes Tour. Participation in the garage sale only lasted a few years. The Christmas Homes Tour survived through 2016. The annual Ice Cream social is still going strong.
     By 1995 this group, which had grown to nearly fifty members, was seriously looking for a home. With stocks from the Harmon Family (Harmon Electronics) and help from Steve Gildehaus, land was purchased on the eastern edge of town and plans were made to refurbish an old Sni-A-Bar silo as a focal point for the museum.
     After several months, this land was traded for our current building at 506 Main Street in the summer of 1998. At the time of the purchase the society received $19,884 from the City of Grain Valley for restoration work. The Board of Aldermen turn over the money from the health fund tax levy revenue.
     With hard work and generous donations, today we have a great museum at 506 Main Street. As the City works with Main Street Missouri to revitalize our downtown, we hope the Grain Valley Historical Society can continue to play a key role in our town’s history as a legacy for the future!

Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society