First ever ‘Magical History Tour’ will give event-goers glimpse into the past Saturday

Sue Szostak was born in Poplar Bluff and left town at as a young adult. She worked for over 30 years at college and public libraries in Tennessee, and when she became aware of an opening as the director of the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, she applied for the job. Szostak returned to Poplar Bluff in 2013 to take on the role.

Szostak says she keeps thinking about retirement, but “my husband says ‘you love what you do too much,’ and I do. I love this job. I love the staff here. I love my community,” she says.

Szostak says she has a love for downtown Poplar Bluff in particular. She talks of the days she spent shopping for shoes and hats downtown, or getting her senior portraits made.

There will be “tours, tastes and theatrics” all along the way during the event that includes the Poplar Bluff Museum on Main Street.DAR/Jamie Hobbs

“I have very fond memories of the vibrant nature of downtown,” Szostak says.

She wanted to find a way to honor the vibrancy she remembered, so she contacted some local organizers who she thought could help. Meetings took place, and the group decided to create a one-night tour where people could experience some of the downtown’s most notable historic places. Szostak said she wanted to call it the “Magical History Tour” because she had just listened to The Beatles’ “Magical Mystery Tour.”

At the Margaret Harwell Art Museum there will be live impersonations of James Dalton and Margaret Harwell. “Having this art museum gives local artists a chance to compete in things like the photography contest and the artist’s guild,” says director Steve Whitworth.

Poplar Bluff’s first annual Magical History Tour will take place from 6-8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $25 per person, and that includes shuttle stops at the library, the Margaret Harwell Art Museum, the Poplar Bluff Museum, the historic Rodgers Theatre and the Poplar Bluff Historic Train Depot.

Each site has a little something different to offer. At the Margaret Harwell Art Museum for example, there will be live impersonations of James Dalton and Margaret Harwell. Steve Whitworth, the museum’s director, says it’s rare for a community this size to have an art museum.

“It inspires artists in our community,” Whitworth says. “Having this art museum gives local artists a chance to compete in things like the photography contest and the artist’s guild.”

Whitworth encourages people to come experience the art museum’s exhibits, learn about its events, and see history come to life Saturday.

The night of the tour, the Poplar Bluff Historic Train Depot will have light refreshments and an up-close look at “The Way We Worked,” a display crafted in partnership with the Smithsonian to honor those who historically worked in the railroad and timber industries. DAR/Jamie Hobbs

The night of the tour, the Poplar Bluff Historic Train Depot will have light refreshments and an up-close look at “The Way We Worked,” a display crafted in partnership with the Smithsonian to honor those who historically worked in the railroad and timber industries.

Jim Chrisman is the president of the depot’s restoration corporation.

“The train depot was a very significant cog in the restoration of downtown. (It) was built in 1910, so it’s 109 years old this year,” he says.

Chrisman urges people to learn more about the history of the depot and the current restoration efforts.

While on the tour, event-goers will get the chance to “meet” Louis May Alcott at the library, get a behind-the-scenes tour backstage of the Rodgers Theatre, and get to explore the Poplar Bluff Museum. There will be “tours, tastes and theatrics” all along the way.

Kati Ray, the secretary of the Poplar Bluff Museum Board, says history impacts everyone — regardless of who they are or where they’re from. DAR/Jamie Hobbs

Kati Ray, the secretary of the Poplar Bluff Museum Board, says history impacts everyone — regardless of who they are or where they’re from.

“Even if you think you’re not interested in history, you still have a past,” Ray says. “There are things here that connect to everyone. There’s more current history, and much older history, so I think there’s something for everyone.”

Kati Ray, the secretary of the Poplar Bluff Museum Board, says history impacts everyone — regardless of who they are or where they’re from. DAR/Jamie Hobbs

Some historic sites in town are not able to participate in the tour this year due to scheduling conflicts. Szostak hopes next year the tour will include stops at The Garfield Historic district, which includes Wheatley School and Rattler’s Grocery, The Claudia House and the Mo-Ark Regional Railroad Museum.

“We want to celebrate the history that got us this far,” Szostak says. “And how much further we have to go.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the library or online at poplarbluff.org/tickets. All proceeds from the tour will be divided evenly among the five historic sites.