Due to several on-going special projects during July through September, all those wishing to use either the walk-in reference library/vertical file resources or the museum’s archival resources are REQUIRED to make appointments.  Such appointments are also subject to availability of personnel.

Use of archival resources has always always been by prior appointment, but in order to enable the museum staff and volunteers to complete much needed catch-up work with the vertical files, the reorganization of the miscellaneous local history card file and an inventory/digitization project of the reference library, the museum has found it necessary to require this temporary request for appointments for ALL users wishing to conduct on-site research.  Without appointments, walk-in inquiries will be handle only if staff/volunteers are not occupied with prior assignments and access to all materials can not be guaranteed.  Also research work space will have limited availability, too, during this period. 

Casual consultation of reference books on shelves in the public meeting room continues to be available during this period during normal business hours for the museum (Tuesday through Saturday 10 am to 5 pm). This includes all Jasper County history books, many Carthage picture books, Carthage High School yearbooks and the Ward Schrantz local history column reprints.  Access to historic collection books (including maps and atlases in storage) require an appointment.  Currently on display in the main gallery is the 1895 large-scale map of Carthage and the 1891 “Bird’s-eye View of Carthage, Missouri.” 

Teacher and student requests will be accepted starting in August but will be subject to work project schedules.  Anyone starting research for National History Day projects should make clear their requests are related to that program.

Email, phone and mail research requests have been temporarily suspended except for those received prior to June 30, 2008.  On-going research projects with established contacts with the museum will continue as time permits during July through September. 

Also note the museum can no longer perform off-site research of non-museum resources for out-of-town researchers unable to travel to Carthage.  Inquiries can be made by phone to the Jasper County Records Center (Central & Lincoln during Mondays through Fridays by calling 417-359-1100; no email inquiries accepted) or the Carthage Public Library (6th & Garrison during Mondays through Saturdays by calling 417-237-7040).  The Carthage Public Library has a website that can be consulted including an on-line catalog.  They accept inquiries by email, too.  The Powers Museum can supply names of private contractors who do local history research for a fee.

As noted on our “Archives & Library” page of our website, the museum has no genealogy materials to speak of, except the Wright Family genealogy collection, and those wanting such resources should consult the Carthage Public Library or the Jasper County Records Center. Carthage newspapers on microfilm are located at the Carthage Public Library.

The public’s cooperation on this matter will be appreciated by the museum and should help make the museum a better resource come this fall.  In the meantime, suggestions for unique Carthage history resources and progress reports will be posted on this blog.

Michele Newton Hansford, Director/Curator

This summer and fall, the Powers Museum is experimenting with several blogs throughout its website to explore the ability to be more flexible in presenting information for our viewers and visitors. Hopefully this format will allow the museum to provide “last minute” news and updates on particular aspects of the museum’s services.  This particular blog will focus on procedures for using the various museum research collections and will announce updates, hints and other tips for “doing” Carthage-related research.

This will be a work in progress. Stay tune as the museum learns the features of this particular blog format.