May 2026

Four Forts, One Mission: Protecting Cape Girardeau In the heat of the Civil War, Cape Girardeau was transformed into a “Fortress City.” To protect this vital river port, Union forces engineered a sophisticated network of four distinct earthwork fortifications—Forts A, B, C, and D. But how were they built, and were they truly the strategic […]

Cavalry, Strategy, and Sabotage: The Raid that Shook the Union In December 1862, General Nathan Bedford Forrest launched a daring raid into West Tennessee that would cement his reputation as one of the Civil War’s most formidable cavalry commanders. But what really happened during those winter weeks of tactical brilliance and brutal conflict? Join the

Letters Home from World War II: St. Louis Join us for a journey through the hidden histories of St. Louis during WWII. The Stoddard County Historical Society and The Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library are proud to host speaker and author Christopher Alan Gordon for a special evening unearthing the personal stories, heartbreak,

Scoundrel of the Swamp: Uncovering Captain Leeper’s Brutal Legacy Join us for a gripping presentation as we delve into the chilling legacy of Captain William T. Leeper, a notorious Civil War figure from the 12th Missouri State Militia Cavalry (US). This program uncovers the dark side of local Civil War history, shedding light on the