TOUR AMERICA 2019: HOLLISTER, MISSOURI -THE SHOW-ME STATE

Places We Have Called Home In 2019

Home Is Where We Park It:  Turkey Creek, Hollister, Missouri

August 18, 2019

Temperature 92

College of the Ozarks:  Williams Memorial Chapel – The Ralph Foster Museum

Rain or no rain?  That was the question.  A quick check of the weather forecast said absolutely no rain.  Then why was it raining on our roof?  Because we’re special?  I just think they blew the forecast which is common around these parts.  Thankfully, it only lasted for about 20 minutes and then stopped.  That was it for the day.

Today I made up my mind to finally finish the book I started over a month ago.  So I dragged out my camp chair and sat myself down and went at it.  Success!  Time to find another book just as soon as possible.

Let’s make another trip back to The College of the Ozarks.  Our first stop is going to be the Williams Memorial Chapel.

The structure, dedicated in 1956, measures 150 feet long and 80 feet wide, with an 80-foot-high vaulted ceiling and impressive stained glass windows. Attached to the chapel is the Hyer Bell Tower.   I would have loved to get up in the Bell Tower but it was not allowed.

In the front of the Chapel and off to the side sits this memorial.

These two pictures were taken during construction.  The first is the placing of the keystone during construction of the chapel.  The second is a picture of the actual construction of the Bell Tower.

Let’s move inside.  This picture is taken from the back facing toward the front of the chapel.

A closer look at the stained glass windows in the front behind the pulpit.  Absolutely exquisite.

I couldn’t resit taking a picture from the pulpit facing where the congregation would sit.  If I ever faced a congregation of this size I would probably choke up!

 Here are the stained glass windows in the balcony at the rear of the chapel.  I wish I had gotten a better picture.

Now, a few pictures of the impressive stained glass windows that are on the sides of the chapel.  This one is entitled Nativity.

This one is entitled Baptism of Our Lord.

This is The Good Shepherd.

There were also banners decorating the chapel.  Here are pictures of two of the them.

There were other stained glass windows and banners which you just have to see in person to really appreciate.  Each is equally breathtaking.

Leaving via the front door and after a short walk down the sidewalk we discovered this

We’re leaving the Chapel now and going over to a museum like no other.  I have been in a lot of museums over the past 2 years but this trumps them all.  We’re going to the Ralph Foster Museum which is dedicated primarily – but not just – to the history of the Ozarks.

The museum is named in honor of the late Ralph D. Foster, radio pioneer and philanthropist.

This is a reproduction of his office.  Take a good look.  What jumps out at you right away?

The museum is a full 3 stories tall and  houses thousands of artifacts representing archaeology, history, firearms, antiques, coins, stamps, natural history, fine arts, geology, mineralogy and so much more.  Suffice to say we were there over 4 hours and I know I missed a good 1/3 of what is housed here.

I did take some pictures of a number of the exhibits so let me share them with you.  The first is one I believe everyone will instantly recognize.

Yes, it’s the real deal.  This is the actual car used in the filming of the Beverly Hillbillies.

 

Grannies seat and even her shotgun.  With a picture of the whole crew in front of it.

The seat from which Jethro drove.

A display case of coin banks of all types.

A display case of miniature circus wagons.

Now for something really unique.  Dolls, dolls and more dolls.   Here we have an extensive display of Kewpie Dolls. 

Kewpie is a brand of dolls and figurines that were conceived as comic strip characters by cartoonist Rose O’Neil.

According to O’Neill, the idea for the Kewpies came to her in a dream.  The comic, featuring the cherub-faced characters, was first printed in Ladies’ Home Journal in the December 1909 issue.   O’Neill described the characters as a sort of little round fairy whose one idea is to teach people to be merry and kind at the same time. Today Kewpie Dolls can fetch anywhere from $200 to $20,000.

Here are pictures of some special Kewpie Dolls.

 

Moving around the room we find yet another display case of National Costume Dolls.

A display case of dolls in general.

Moving on we discovered The Edwards Art Gallery.  As we moved into the room we discovered these unique and beautiful quilts.

This is a fan quilt.

The Tree of Life Quilt.

The Pinwheel Quilt.

Among the many, many, many works of art within this room this one is highlighted.  It is considered one of the crown jewels of the Museum’s collection of artwork.

Moving toward another room I came across this.  We’ve had Chevy’s, Ford’s, Studebakers, Cord’s, Chrysler’s, and now

As expected there was also an entire room dedicated to Missouri Style Music.

It all began here

These humble beginnings led to one of the most popular radio and then TV program that was heard across America  – Ozark Jubilee.

Some of those who were once on the show.

There were also display cases of instruments.

There is so much more but time is short so let’s cover just one more room.

Now for some pictures of the big guys.

The Polar Bear – this one stands 9 feet tall!

A Grizzly Bear.  When standing they are about 6 to 7 feet tall.  They can weight anywhere between 400 to 500 lbs.  They live on average between 20 to 30 years.

The Bengal Tiger.  They are about 10 feet long and weight about 600 lbs.  Their roar can be heard over 2 miles away.

The Kodiak Bear.  They only live on Kodiak Island.  A mature male when standing on its hind legs can tower up to 10 feet tall.  They usually weight about 1,500 lbs.

Well, I could go on and on for pages and pages.  There is so much more in this Museum that I haven’t even touched on.  My advice?  Put The College of the Ozarks and all its campus attractions on your bucket list of thing you must see.  You will never regret a stop here.  I guarantee it.

Our day on The Road of Retirement has come to an end.  We had a good day overall even though about all we did is read and eat!  No matter, I’ll take the days as they come and make the most of each one.  Thank you again Lord for this wonderful life we live and the days and memories that are ours.

Thanks again for joining us on our journey.  We always appreciate your company and comments.  Till tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s two human soul mates.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

See you on down the road!