When you visit the historic building that houses the Poplar Bluff History Museum, the first thing you notice are the stately columns outside to the left of the entrance.
The four limestone columns originally resided at Poplar Bluff’s first federally-owned post office, which was built in 1914. Placed on the grounds in 1995, along with the cornerstone of the post office, the columns are a preview of the exhibits that reside within.
Housed in the old Mark Twain School building on North Main Street and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the exhibits housed within the Poplar Bluff History Museum are varied and well-curated. One feels the love that caretakers obviously feel for the area, its history, and its residents.
In 1988, the building closed as a school and was sold to the city of Poplar Bluff for the sum of $1, with the expressed purpose of becoming a museum.
Under the guidance of Sam Giambelluca, a group of citizens started the renovation that has allowed the 111-year-old building to not only thrive, but continue to serve the community.
Walking into the museum, right away you notice the walls are tastefully covered with historical items and pictures, providing a window in time to the rich history that Poplar Bluff and Butler County have in abundance. The museum is split into eight rooms, each one with specialized displays and themes.
On the first floor is the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame, showcasing the athletes who once roamed the gyms and fields of the area, dazzling all those who cheered them on with their achievements.
In September of last year, Poplar Bluff’s own Derland Moore passed away, and his legacy is but one of the many displays you will find in the Poplar Bluff Hall of Fame. Named one of the New Orleans Saints’ greatest players by the team, the defensive line standout spent 12 years with the Saints and was named to the NFL Pro Bowl in 1983.
Kati Ray, the recording secretary for the museum’s board, is quick to point out a 2018 inductee and the 100th person to be enshrined in the hall.
“Another not as well known Poplar Bluff sports figure is Janice-Lee Romary. She was a six-time Olympic fencer,” Ray said.
Romary’s achievements include the distinction of being the first woman to carry the flag of the United States for the U.S.A. team in the opening ceremony of the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games.
Across the hall is the Abington Haworth School House room.
Ray explained, “the room tells us all of Poplar Bluff and Butler County’s school history. We have the largest collection of Poplar Bluff yearbooks that is available.”
The Kanell Hall Veterans Museum and the Hall of Heroes celebrate the memory and sacrifices of all those who served in the military from this area. Of note is the display about local Congressional Medal of Honor honoree Billie Jean Kanell, who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country in 1951.
The Hall of Heroes is an ambitious project in which the museum wants to honor all Butler County residents who served in the armed forces.
“We are still looking for photos of people from Butler County who have served,” Ray said. “Please contact us with a photo of your family member.”
The remaining rooms are the Butler County Historical Society room, Githens Hall, the Postal Room, the Dale Gaebler Poplar Bluff People Room, the Scout room, the U.S. Forest Service and Missouri Conservation Commission room, and a room that houses the Bowling Hall of Fame, Telephone Pioneers and the medical and golf exhibits.
Ray encourages everyone to visit with a reminder, “Come Sundays from 2-4 p.m. and look around for yourself to see a lot more interesting things. The Poplar Bluff Museum Board does all of this work to keep this museum going, so the next time you see a Poplar Bluff Museum Board member, be sure to thank them.”
Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. If you would like to donate online, you can do so at https://www.pbmuseum.org/donate.