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Photos from
Marlin Perkins Centennial Week
Honoring the 100th anniversary of Perkins'
birth in 1905
Sponsored by the Carthage Public Library & the Powers Museum
March 28 — April 2, 2005
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Portion of Marlin Perkins photographs
previously on view at Memorial Hall, now on loan through spring
at the Powers Museum and found in the meeting room.
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Weekday walking tours went from Central Park to
the birthplace of Marlin Perkins at 902 S Main Street, just two
blocks south of Carthage High School. Perkins was a member of the
Class of 1923 along with lifelong friend and Grant Street neighbor,
Marian Powers.
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Flowers at Marlin Perkins Statue in Central Park.
Placed in honor of Perkins' birth centennial by Richard Bliss, formerly
of Carthage. The marker reads: Marlin Perkins March 28, 1905 - June
14, 1986. "His life was gentle, and the elements so mix'd in him
that nature might stand-up and say to all the word, "This Was a
Man!' " (Shakespeare) Sculpted by Bob Tommey and Bill Snow, 1988.
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Marlin Perkins Statue in Central Park, March 28,
2005
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Children's Librarian Deb Haynes cuts birthday
cake served to those watching "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom" programs
at the Carthage Public Library.
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Zoo Parade game and coloring book developed while
Marlin was director of the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, 1946–1962.
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Game, puzzles and book developed during run of
"Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom" television program. These and the
Zoo Parade game where available for play on Saturday of the centennial
week. They will now be accessioned into the Powers Museum collection
for preservation.
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Wonders of Wildlife educator showed off "Ozark
Critters" during Saturday afternoon's program around the Central
Park Bandstand.
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Wonders of Wildlife staffers travel in style!
Behind the van is the Masonic Lodge at Maple & 7th.
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As the afternoon came to a close, Dianne Moran
of Richwoods, MO, presented a wonderful program complete with "bio-facts"
that were displayed under one of the picnic shelters in Central
Park.
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Eric Peer of Carthage was a willing helper to
Ms. Moran's demonstration.
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With the Jasper County Courthouse as a backdrop,
Powers Museum Director/Curator led a noon walking tour of the courthouse
square. When Marlin's father passed away in 1935, his funeral was
held in the courthouse, a tribute to Judge Joseph Perkins' many
years of service to the county.
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Eric and Alan Peer rest up for the walking tour
while other participants gather. The west side of the courthouse
square is visible in the background (300 S Main block).
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A popular feature of Saturday's activities was
the Marlin Perkins biography trail. It started at the Carthage Public
Library entrance (the library is celebrating its centennial this
year, too) and made its way through the library gardens and then
ended with a goodie trunk at the Perkins statue. Each animal sign
had a biography fact attached. This summer the trail will be placed
on the grounds of the Powers Museum during Marian Powers Centennial
Week in mid-June.
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Photographs provided by Richard Bliss, Dave McCoy and Michele Hansford. All rights reserved by photographers.
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| R. Marlin Perkins in front of his birthplace at 902 S Main, Carthage, Missouri, date unknown (from childhood scrapbook of Marian Louisa Powers). |
Marlin Perkins Centennial Week Activities
Honoring the 100th anniversary of Perkins' birth in 1905
Sponsored by the Carthage Public Library & the Powers Museum
March 28 — April 2, 2005
Various venues throughout Carthage, MO including Central Park, Carthage Public Library, Annex & Gardens, and Powers Museum
Come celebrate and explore the life of Marlin Perkins and learn about his hometown of Carthage, Missouri during the years of his youth (1905—1923)!
Read about the Marlin Perkins Centennial Essay & Art Contest
Schedule of Activities
Monday, March
28
Birthday cake on Marlin's birthday and "Mutual
of Omaha's Wild Kingdom" videos at the Carthage Public Library,
Children's Library, 2 – 4 pm, free.
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Tuesday, March 29
Open House for "Carthage in 1905" exhibit, Powers
Museum, 11 am – 2pm, free admission, light refreshments, videos (&
playing throughout week upon visitor request) including KETC-TV's "Zooman"
documentary.
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Wednesday, March 30
"Pre-school Zoo Animal Storyhour" at the Carthage
Public Library, Children's Dept., 10 am, free.
Featuring Carol Morse Perkins' Little Pierre story based on Marlin's work at the St Louis Zoo and one of his favorite zoo residents.
Wednesday, March 30
"Growing Up in Carthage: Marlin Perkins 1905-1923"
Powers Museum presentation, 2 pm, free.
Taken from the autobiography of Perkins with additional selections from letters, diaries & scrapbooks from the Powers Museum Archives and the Marlin Perkins Papers housed at the Western Historical Manuscripts Collection — University of Missouri/St Louis.
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Thursday, March 31
"Discovering Marlin's Neighborhood" Walking Tour
Meet at Central Park (corner of Lyon & Chestnut) at 10 am for a walking tour of the neighborhood of 700-800-900 Main Street containing the school and home of young Perkins. Learn the neighborhood's history and architectural significance that began during the Civil War period. (We will be walking approx. 3 blocks up and 3 blocks back — wear appropriate shoes!)
Thursday, March 31
"Storyhour & Zoo Scrapbook Page" for older children
at the Carthage Public Library Annex, 4—5 pm, free but prior registration
requested. All those participating will make a zoo/pet scrapbook page
after the storyhour.
Thursday, March 31
"Traveling the Highways 1905-1924" Powers Museum
presentation, 7 pm, free.
In 1924 between graduating from Carthage High School and attending the University of Missouri, Marlin spent time in California. When he returned, Marlin and his brother Leland, drove the Lincoln Highway to get home. Come learn about the Lincoln Highway as well as the Jefferson Highway that went through Carthage (connecting up with the Lincoln in Iowa) as well as other early auto trails of the 1905—1920s period and Carthage's contribution to their construction and promotion.
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| R. Marlin Perkins relaxing in home of fellow CHS 1923 classmate Marian Louisa Powers Winchester, 314 Euclid, Carthage, Missouri, c 1974. |
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Friday, April 1
"Discovering Marlin's Neighborhood" repeated
at 1:30 pm (Meet again at Central Park — see description for Thursday's
walking tour above)
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Saturday, April 2
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
All Day Activities
• Outdoor Marlin Perkins Biography Trail & Goodie Hunt (library gardens & elsewhere in neighborhood based on clues; parental/adult assistance will be necessary especially for younger children)
• "Zoo Parade" & "Marlin Perkins' Wild Kingdom" Games/Puzzles (inside Carthage Library)
• "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom" videos (inside Carthage Library)
• Display of Marlin Perkins Centennial Week Essay/Art Contest entries (announcement of winners will be made at 9:30 am at Library on 7th Street steps, weather permitting)
(Note: The Friends of the Library will be holding their monthly Book Sale at the Library Annex at 5th & Garrison, behind the library, from 8 am to noon. Lots of great bargains for readers of all ages.)
10:30 am
"Missouri Reptiles" presented by the Missouri
Department of Conservation
Live animal presentation and educational resources presented by Joplin
office of MDC. To be held at Central Park Bandstand — limited picnic
table seating available —so you are encouraged to bring folding chairs
or blankets to sit on ground.
12:00 noon
"Life on the Courthouse Square During 1905-1923"
Walking tour of Jasper County Courthouse Square led by Powers Museum.
Learn about businesses that operated around the square during 1905—1923
as well as the role the courthouse (listed on the National Register of
Historic Places) played in the Perkins family's life. Meet at the Osage
War marker at the SW corner of the courthouse lawn. (Wear comfortable
shoes — group will investigate west and southsides of the square
together; touring remainder of square will be optional. Participants will
receive a booklet outling all courthouse square NR district buildings.)
1:30 pm
"Ozark Critters" presented by Wonders of Wildlife,
Springfield
Come see and learn about the native creatures that fascinated young Perkins
as he roamed Carthage and its surrounding country fields, forests and
streams. Presented at the Central Park bandstand; see note about seating
for "Missouri Reptiles" above.
2:30 pm
"Traveling on the Trolleys in the Tri-states, 1895—1920s"
presented by Ed Conrad of Blue Springs, MO; author of Tri-State Traction.
The interurban trolleys played an important role in the lives of the Perkins
family whose homes were both located on the Southwest Missouri Railroad
route. Presented at: 1st United Methodist Church, 7th & Main (off NE corner
of Central Park).
3:30 pm
Featured Speaker at the Central Park Bandstand
"My Memories of Marlin" presented by Dianne
Moran, Richwoods, MO
Join retired St. Louis Zoo animal keeper and naturalist, Dianne Moran,
as she recalls her encounters with the beasts under her charge and a momentous
discussion with her idol...the incredible, Marlin Perkins. A table of
biofacts (assorted animal skins, bones and fascinating preserved specimens)
will be display, too. And, perhaps, in honor of Marlin's first love, the
reptiles, Dianne will share a few of her favorite LIVE creatures! Again,
public is encouraged to bring folding chairs and blankets for ground seating.
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All activities free of charge
Carthage Public Library is located at 612 S Garrison.
Carthage Library Annex is located at 510 S Garrison.
Library Gardens are located to the east of the library building.
Powers Museum is located at 1617 W Oak (Old Jefferson Highway & former
Route 66).
Central Park is located between 7th & Chestnut off Garrison (across from
front entrace of Library).
Rain/inclement weather site for all Bandstand Activities on April 2, 2005: 1st United Methodist Church, 7th & Main.
Noon walking tour WILL be called off in event of rain (or extreme cold/snow) and presented by museum at a date to be scheduled.
Call 417-358-2667 or e-mail pmuseum@ecarthage.com.
Copyright © 2008 Powers Museum
1617 West Oak • P.O. Box 593 • Carthage, MO 64836
e-mail:infonow@powersmuseum.com
| phone: 417-358-2667
All Web site design, content and solutions are property of Powers Museum
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