Steve Noll, the retiring executive director of the Jackson County Historical Society was recognized by the Independence City Council with a proclamation at its Jan. 16 meeting.

The proclamation recognized Noll for "his insatiable love for local history and his contributions to our broader understanding of our own unfolding story."

JCHS has its archives in the historic Truman Courthouse and manages the 1859 Old Jail and Museum, both located on the on the historic Independence Square.

The Jackson County Historical Society, in addition to preserving history, wants to do its part to help preserve the environment.

To that end, JCHS has agreed to purchase community solar for the 1859 Old Jail and Museum located on the Independence Square and served by Independence Power and Light.

Current community solar customers pay slightly more for their power and can subscribe up to 40% of their monthly usage, but they also lock-in electrical rates for a 25-year period.

A new history of Children's Mercy Hospital is a detailed rich, photograph-filled account of the first 120 years of the Kansas City children's hospital.

The new book For All Children Everywhere takes a comprehensive approach to the history of the hospital founded by two sisters Alice Berry Graham (a dentist) and Katharine Berry Richardson (a surgeon) in 1897.

"It's time someone took a greater interest in helping children like this," Alice told her sister upon encountering a crippled girl in the Kansas City streets. "And Katherine, I think you and I are the ones to do it."

The two established “The Hospital of the Little People” which eventually became Children’s Mercy.

The historic 1859 Old Jail and Museum on the Independence Square is now a Blue Star Museum - a program that provides free admission to active members of the military between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The national program provides families an opportunity to enjoy the nation's cultural heritage and learn more about their community.

Over 2,000 museums nationwide participate.

Well-known writer and local historian Pat O'Neill has a new book out sharing wonderful letters from WWI soldier Sgt. George Wiegert home to his mother.

The book "Dearest Mother: Letters from a Lonesome Sammy 1915-1919" shares some of the 223 letters the young man wrote home to his mother from the front lines in Europe.

The young man, who grew up in rural Nebraska before moving to Lincoln, shares the dreams and fears of an intrepid youth who volunteered to be a "Sammy" - an American soldier who participated in the war to end all wars.

Joelouis Mattox was an engaging, kind, interesting local historian who always endeavored to share stories about the community, particularly the African-American experience.

He share our deep condolences on his recent death and the outpouring of tributes to him.

Most recently, Mattox shared stories of African-American soldiers who served during World War I.

Join the Jackson County Historical Society for a new exhibit featured at the 1859 Jail, Marshal's Home and Museum. Coming to Missouri: German Migration in the 19th Century explores the massive influx of German immigrants that came to Missouri.

There is a special open house for the exhibit on Thurs., April 27th at the 1859 Old Jail on the Independence Square. The opening is free.

The birthplace of Ginger Rogers at 100 W Moore Street in Independence, Missouri is being renovated and will open as a small museum open to the public this summer.

Rogers was born in a tiny room in the 1906 Craftsman Bungalow on July 16, 1911. Her mother, Lela, worked as a secretary nearby, and later was a Hollywood script writer and Rogers’ manager.

The Ginger House will be open to the public during a July 15-16, 2017 grand opening. The weekend will include a “Ginger Festival” with a dinner, silent auction, presentations, and tours of the home.

The Jackson County Historical Society will recognizes three distinguished history-related efforts with awards during its Jan. 19th annual meeting and dinner.

The award winners are Wide Awake Films, FamilySearch and a book about Kansas City collectibles.

Two JCHS volunteers - John Campbell (Archives and Research Library) and April Milam (1859 Jail Museum) - will also be recognized for this efforts.

Sue Gentry, a long-time Independence journalist and Jackson County Historical Society leader, kept a handwritten index of events, dates and individuals which she found of interest.

The paper index helped her write extensively about local history and answers questions about the community's early development.

JCHS has digitized the personal index and made it available online as a historic resource.