Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc.

2012-01-10T14:32:00.004-06:00

Joplin’s early black community worshiped in any place they could find homes, store buildings, or wherever. More fortunate ones met in simple wooden church-houses. But a 1902 tornado wiped out two of their churches, leaving them homeless. Sympathetic to their plight, Joplin millionaire Thomas Connor paid for construction of three brick churches in 1903. Of the three buildings, only the African Methodist Episcopal (now the Handy Chapel A.M.E. Church) remains. The church and its people are a testament to the faith, sacrifice, and endurance of the African-American community in Joplin.

Leslie Simpson, director of the Post Memorial Art Reference Library and advocate for Joplin’s historic architecture, has always had a soft spot for the old A.M.E. Church. Prominent Joplin architect August Michaelis designed the simple Gothic-style structure; very few of his structures still exist. She has watched with alarm as the building deteriorated, knowing that the aging congregation did not have the resources to restore it. She mentioned her concerns to members of the Joplin Historic Preservation Commission, who began investigating what might be done to preserve the historic church. Simpson worked with Bob Morton to determine appropriate renovations and paint colors that would preserve the integrity of the structure.

2011-11-11T18:20:00.003-06:00

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Be it declared that Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. will present the second annual DickensFest-a holiday destination in Joplin for all lords, ladies and their children. Mark your calendar for Friday through Sunday, December 9-11, 2011. There will be nightly entertainment at all of the different venues from 6:00 to 8:30 PM. This free event will be centered on Moffet Avenue between Third and Fourth Street in Joplin’s residential historic district.

DickensFest will feature candle luminaries and winter lights, an outdoor Olde English village with realistic storefronts, costumed Dickens characters, street performers, indoor concerts, food and craft vendors, art show and sale, live Nativity, a petting zoo, horse drawn carriage rides, Father Christmas, and more.

New this year will be several free performances of a Victorian Christmas Magic-Lantern Show. This is America’s only 1890s visual extravaganza projected on a full-sized screen – the boisterous kind of show that led to the movies! Scrooge, Santa, animated comedy and carols will be dramatized on screen by a live showman and singer/pianist. National Public Radio called it, “An incredible experience…a living national treasure!” The show is for kids and adults ages 6 to 106. Evening and day-time performances will be held in the beautiful, historic sanctuary of First United Methodist Church at 501 West 4^th Street. To learn more, visit www.MagicLanternShows.com.

Contact HMP through the following options: Board of Directors President, Paula Callihan (417) 483-3116; www.murphysburg.org; Facebook.com/Murphysburg; e-mail at Murphysburg@gmail.com; Post Office Box 1332, Joplin, Missouri 64802. Learn more about DickensFest by visiting : http://facebook.com/dickensfestfacebook.com/dickensfest.

Joplin Residential Architectural Survey

2011-10-08T16:54:00.005-05:00

For more information on architectural surveys click here.

The City of Joplin proposes creating a residential architectural survey for the local historic area known as Murphysburg. This area covers roughly 100 homes and 35 acres. While the local residential district is larger, the proposed survey for NR is defined within the boundary of the100-600 Blocks of S. Sergeant Avenue and S. Moffet Avenue, as well as 124 S. Byers, and 504 S. Byers. This reduction is size is based upon concentration of intact homes and streetscapes.

This is an important area to survey and identify for its depth of participation in the historical patterns of Joplin’s original growth. Murphysburg pre-dates the incorporation of the City of Joplin and retains original structures built and lived in by architects such as Joplin born Austin Allen. Allen is responsible for designing many of the national register landmarks within the City. Homes within this proposed boundary are Queen Anne, Romanesque, or Victorian style and date from the early 1900’s.

This proposed survey is based on a visit from SHPO staff in 2001 in which they stated,” Joplin has a wealth of historic residential architecture worthy of surveying. While visiting Joplin, staff walked parts of the residential area immediately west of the core business district, namely along Sergeant and Moffet Streets roughly between 7th and 1st streets.” Staff went on to state “Future survey efforts should focus on historic residential neighborhoods bordering the Central Business district.”

What's going on in Murphysburg

2011-10-08T16:52:00.001-05:00

Save The Date DickensFest 2011

2011-05-10T09:46:00.002-05:00

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Be it declared that Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. will present the second annual DickensFest-a holiday destination for all lords, ladies and their children. Mark your calendar for Friday through Sunday, December 9-11, 2011. This event will be centered around Moffet Avenue between Third and Fourth Street in Joplin’s residential historic district.

DickensFest will feature candle luminaries and winter lights, an outdoor Olde English village with realistic storefronts, costumed Dickens characters, street performers, indoor concerts, food, a petting zoo, and Father Christmas. Attraction and entertainment updates, as well as photographs from last year’s DickensFest, can be viewed on Historic Murphysburg Preservation’s web site.

The event is funded in part by a grant from the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.visitjoplinmo.com) and held in conjunction with the 4^th Annual Joplin Holiday Experience-A Festival of Events.

Your host, Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. is dedicated to the preservation of Joplin’s oldest downtown residential neighborhood through education and community involvement. Contact us through the following options: Board of Directors President, Paula Callihan (417) 483-3116; www.murphysburg.org; Facebook.com/Murphysburg; e-mail at Murphysburg@gmail.com; Post Office Box 1332, Joplin, Missouri 64802.

May is National Preservation Month. This year’s theme is “Celebrating America’s Treasures”.

2011-04-30T17:10:00.019-05:00

EVENING ON THE VERANDA

Rain or Shine

MAY 20, 2011

6:30 TO 8:30 pm

SELF- GUIDED

WALKING TOUR

Highlighting nine porches

in Joplin’s Murphysburg

Residential Historic District

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Purchase Tickets at the

"The Henry McNeal House"

220 South Moffet Avenue

$15.00 Per Person

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

End the tour at the

"Jesse Starr House & Belle's Garden"

310 Moffet Avenue with

Tapas Bar catered by Crabby’s

Music for your enjoyment by

Arabesque String Quartet

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Horse Drawn Carriage Rides

through the Residential Historic District

$5.00 per Person

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dream Theatre Company

will perform skits fashioned after turn of the century events.

They will portray personalities of the original occupants of the neighborhood.

HMP also extends special thanks to our sponsors Crabby’s, Side Cars, Arabesque String Quartet and the efforts of the Dream Theatre Company.

2011-03-05T14:00:00.001-06:00

Joplin’s Irish Heritage comes alive in the Murphysburg Historic District

Patrick Murphy, Joplin’s most famous Irishman, comes alive on (when else?) St. Patrick’s Day in (where else?) Joplin’s Murphysburg Residential Historic District.

The Dream Theatre Company and Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. (HMP) will stage a free 1880s era interactive living history of the life and personality of Patrick Murphy. Through this living history event, guests will learn about Mr. Murphy’s immigration from Ireland to his Joplin mayoral election, and his well deserved title of “the Father of Joplin.”

While history “comes alive” on St. Patrick’s Day, the Missouri Highway Patrol and Missouri Department of Transportation will teach spectators how to “stay alive”. Both state agencies will be on site to discuss valuable life saving practices via their Seat Belt Convincer, Fatal Vision Goggles, and Distract-a-Match Games.

Self-guided walking tour brochures of the district’s historic homes will be available at the event.

Commemorate St. Patrick’s Day, and Joplin’s Third Thursday Art Walk by visiting Murphysburg Residential Historic District on March 17^th from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the intersection of Fourth Street and Moffet Avenue. Events take place in front of the First United Methodist Church (a congregation linking its founding to Joplin’s namesake, Reverend Joplin) at 501 West Fourth Street and The Olivia Hotel (a National Register of Historic Places site) at 320 South Moffet Avenue.

For more information, call 417-483-3116

Photo by Carole Liston

2011-03-04T14:49:00.007-06:00

Many times the most impressive structures in a city are its churches. Their outlines grace the city’s skyline and their steeples stretch up to meet the clouds. Joplin is fortunate to be able to count on one such magnificent church among its numbers of architectural treasures, the First United Methodist Church at 501 West Fourth.

The history of First United Methodist Church spans 170 years beginning with Reverend Harris Joplin from which the city took its name. In 1839, Reverend Joplin invited local settlers to his cabin near Turkey Creek and established the first Methodist Episcopal Society in the area. However, it wasn't until 1872 that a group of Methodist organized a permanent church.

Architects Charles Garstang and Alfred Rea designed the majestic entrance, which will be the Dream Theatre Troupe's stage for our Living History of Patrick Murphy.

The entrance features a triple arched portico entry with a large stained glass window above. Romanesque pillars with Corinthian-style capitals support the load of Gothic arches and two bell towers flank the grand entry. The steeple on the southwest rose 100 feet tall in the air before lighting struck in 1963. The cornerstone for the church was laid in 1905 and the first service was held in the congregation's new home on June 3, 1906.

2011-02-10T13:47:00.000-06:00

"Dream Theatre Troupe is an informal organization of local thespians who travel the area bringing unique theatrical experiences to audiences by way of main stage productions, interactive festivals, and seasonal entertainment . We work through the collaborative efforts of the entire troupe under the guidance of our founder, Becki Gooch. Dream Theatre writes and performs original shows using talented actors, innovative sets, and modern choreography."

2011-01-13T20:04:00.001-06:00

Thanks to the thousands who came & enjoyed
Murphysburg inaugural DickensFest event!!!!
We will see you again next year!!!

Photo by Josh Shackles

"DickensFest" We built it, they came & we all enjoyed. Please enjoy our slideshow with the Dream Theatre Co, performing!

2011-01-13T20:01:00.010-06:00

Slide-show Photos by Alex Fuhr

Performers, Dream Theatre Troupe

2011-01-13T19:58:00.000-06:00

Our own Murphysburg Father Christmas
took time out of his busy schedule to tell
stories to children about the
spirit of Christmas.
Thanks Howard!!

2011-01-13T19:46:00.001-06:00

For a great job of performing Charles Dickens
"A Christmas Carol"

Thanks Dream Theatre Company!!!!

2011-01-13T17:41:00.000-06:00

For First United Methodist Church production of the live nativity......
Thanks Adam & crew!!!!

2011-01-13T17:39:00.000-06:00

From building sets in the wharehouse.......
Thanks Ron & Carlye!!

2011-01-13T17:38:00.002-06:00

........To making a magical "Joplin

Holiday experience" on Moffet street!!!!!!!!

2011-01-13T17:37:00.000-06:00

Thanks to all of our sponsors, friends & volunteers
that helped to make DickensFest a success!!!!!

2010-08-24T19:34:00.000-05:00

Join us to walk along "Oliver's Luminary Candle Walk"
and enjoy turn of the century hospitality of
Murphysburg Residential Historic Disrtict

2010-08-24T19:16:00.001-05:00

Dickens Performers, Street Entertainers,
Carolers & Strolling Minstrels,
Holiday Fun For The Whole Family!

2010-08-24T19:03:00.003-05:00

Great Expectations Concert series in the
Historic First United Methodist Church:
Keenagers, Heartland Band, Victorian Quartet,
Bell Choir & Organ and Piano Concerts

2010-08-24T19:00:00.002-05:00

Father Christmas With Stories for the Children
in The Olivia

2010-08-24T18:48:00.002-05:00

Murphysburg 'DickensFest' in the
Ye Olde English Village

2010-08-22T00:55:00.005-05:00

There is something new in Murphysburg!

The City of Joplin is replacing historic markers

& issuing new ones to residents that request one.

For more information about historic markers

contact Chad Cornwell, Planning/Community

Development Specialist at 624-0820 ext. 511

or CCornwell@joplinmo.org

2010-08-20T00:56:00.000-05:00

2010-04-26T13:47:00.001-05:00

Nestled in the heart of Joplin, the Murphysburg Residential Historic District transports visitors back in time to a bygone era. An era when the clip-clop of horse hooves on the streets and friendly laughter from shady porches were familiar sounds. The historic district was home to Joplin’s wealthiest and most influential citizens during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Eastern capitalists and miners who had made millions from their discoveries built impressive homes in the residential neighborhood bordering the downtown area. In the last ten years, residents have invested countless hours and money into the impressive structures that line the streets of the district and restored them to their former glory. Within walking distance, you will find Colonial-Revival, Queen Anne, Romanesque, Arts and Crafts, Dutch Colonial, Classic Four Square and Prairie style houses. While strolling down the tree-lined sidewalks, you will discover that the homes feature architectural elements that give each place its own unique character. Many of the homes boast original wrought-iron, grand staircases, ornamental plasterwork, stained glass windows, fireplace mantels and decorative woodwork. In addition to the collection of residences, the district includes some of Joplin’s most beautiful churches and a luxury apartment building. Whether you’re a history buff or an architecture connoisseur, there is something for everyone in Murphysburg Residential Historic District.

Arts & Craft Surrounded By The First Bursts Of Pink

2010-04-25T13:58:00.000-05:00

2010 Historic Murphysburg Preservation New Slate of Officers

2010-04-23T13:54:00.004-05:00

The Board of Directors for Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. elected new officers at their annual retreat. For the 2010-2012 term, Paula Callihan was elected to the office of President, Mark Williams as Vice-President, Pamela Mense as Secretary, and Gaye Pate was re-elected to the position of Treasurer.

“Our new officers represent a balanced mix of experience and fresh perspectives”, stated Robert Morton, out-going president and board member.

Callihan owns a home in the district and is the proprietor of Evelyn’s Beauty Shop. Williams is a historical property developer/owner and is well known in Joplin due to his participation in civic activities. Mense also owns a home in the district and is the co-owner of Madison Lane Interiors. Pate owns a home in the district and is a retired circulation librarian.

The remaining board of directors includes Mary Ann Neff and Mary Anne Phillips, both district homeowners.

Get Your Kicks on Route 66

2010-02-20T12:55:00.002-06:00




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Business Member
Route 66 Association of Missouri

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2009-08-17T17:56:00.001-05:00