Gardner Musing

It has been a busy week for both Museums. Both have had donations of items from family’s pasts. We appreciate items that come to us, and we are proud to share with the public. Each one has a special story.
We may get single items or a group of items . One example for single items would be the display that we have of two mannequins . One has a gentleman’s tuxedo and a top hat with a pair of white gloves and a cane which all were from four different donors and a lady’s opera coat with a set of pearls from two donations.
If you were a guest at the Gardner House you would be introduced to Cliff and Kat . Cliff is from Palmyra and loved to dance and attend every dance event he could, and Kat is a lady from Hannibal who loved the opera. We like to think that Kat and Cliff were very good friends and loved to dance the night away at the Crystal Palace and attend a wonderful play at the Opera House. There is a framed photo of the Opera House behind these two-party goers. Opera House was built in 1857 just on the East of West Main Cross. Many performances were played here as well as many political events were held . One of the most famous political events was in 1898 when Jennings Bryan spoke shortly -this was after he had made a speech that became famous of “Cross of Gold “ that took place earlier during his early years of his political years,
The Opera house still stands today and is known as Turner Seed Co.
The Gardner House is open on Mondays, Wednesday’s and Fridays 10 to 2, 573-769-3076
The Old Marion County Jail is open on Wednesday’s 10 to 2 , 573-822-7598
Hope everyone has a great week.