DNR Team Visits Boone Monument Representatives from the Missouri State Parks Department and local citizens met in Marthasville Monday, Sept. 22, to appraise the state's possible interest in the Bryan Cemetery and Boone Monument Farm.

By: Cindy Gladden
Posted 11/7/19

The State Parks Department, a division of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), was invited by a newly formed steering committee whose goal is to promote a state historic site to honor Daniel …

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DNR Team Visits Boone Monument Representatives from the Missouri State Parks Department and local citizens met in Marthasville Monday, Sept. 22, to appraise the state's possible interest in the Bryan Cemetery and Boone Monument Farm.

Posted

The State Parks Department, a division of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), was invited by a newly formed steering committee whose goal is to promote a state historic site to honor Daniel Boone. Initial impressions were good, according to John Cunning, director of the resource management and interpretation program. "We were very impressed at how well the property is maintained which shows the local people care," he said. "We were also struck by the sheer number of people who have signed the guest book at the monument. We are interested and we are looking into it further." A local committee would like the state of Missouri to consider purchasing the 33-acre Boone Monument Farm, owned by Grace Stemme, which is currently for sale. The Bryan Cemetery, a 1-acre tract located within the boundaries of the farm, is the site of the Daniel Boone Monument. In order to restore and preserve the cemetery, committee members and neighboring property owner Allen Whitworth, said the best option is to sell the site to the state, re-establish the cemetery corners and develop a historic site which will include the Boone Monument Farm. The brick Federal-style home located on the property which dates back to the 1860s, is being considered by the committee as a museum location. A review team, made up of four Division of State Parks representatives, traveled to the sites to gather information. They will report back to the Missouri State Parks Division Director Douglas Eiken for consideration as a state historic site. Eiken will make a recommendation and forward it to the DNR director. Cunning said a determination would not be made sooner than 30-45 days. The review team will follow "standards of statewide significance" commonly used to evaluate historic properties. "In this case, we want to evaluate the cultural and historical significance," Cunning added. "We don't appraise for the property's dollar value. We look for a very solid link, in this case, to a family. We look for properties that help tell the story." The review team also will determine whether the Boone theme is adequately represented in the state. "If it is not, there might be a better chance for this property," said Cunning. Jim Jackson, who portrays the explorer, reminded the review team that no Missouri state historical site exists to honor Daniel Boone. The local group shared a list of possibilities for the property compiled during its first meeting held Sept. 11. Possibilities included surveying and marking the cemetery boundaries, conducting an archeological survey to locate unmarked burial sites and the construction of a parking lot between the cemetery and the Boone Monument Farm house. Jackson said another possibility for the site would include a place for the numerous descendants of the Boone family to conduct genealogical studies. With its proximity to the Katy Trail, Bob Doerr, board member of the Washington Historical Society, mentioned a local office for the Katy Trail has been discussed as another possibility. According to Marc Houseman, director of the Washington Historical Society, the local committee, still in its founding stage, will wait to hear the state's decision from the review board. The next committee meeting will be Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Marthasville.


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