Museum Musing

A few weeks ago, a young lady of 90 years came in from Raymore Mo. She had told her friends about Palmyra Mo. and decided to take a road trip this way. She had planned with her sister of 95 from Rock Island Illinois to meet here. This is how the day went…

   Margret Tucker McIntire and her sister Beulah Tucker grew up in Palmyra and have many memories of Palmyra and surrounding area. While waiting on her sister’s arrival, Margret told stories of school days. When we went to the school room upstairs, she went to the yearbooks and found her 1953 yearbook and started reminiscing about the kids and teachers she remembered. Her nickname was “Margo” with a description ,”A girl who you could depend on , Once acquainted always a friend.” And her friends chimed in saying yes so true! She had everyone laughing while telling her story . When she came to the area where we had the Military memorabilia, she told the story of how their Mother whose name was Margret also, had joined the Rosie the Riveter work force and   worked at the Hannibal Shoe factory during WW11 while Margret and Beulah’s father, Albert went to Europe fighting for our country. She talked about her father, and mother together running the family sawmill that they owned and operated that was 4 miles North of Palmyra in 1939 to 1954 . 

Both ladies had dolls that they donated.  The statement was made that both dolls were together while the girls were young, and as they grew older and on their own, the dolls were separated until today. They both live at the Museum with stories of when they were young.

    Beulah told that one year she wanted a Betsy Wetsy Doll for Christmas. It was not under the family tree, but she knew it was under the tree at their grandmother’s Ashmore. When she opened the gift to her disappointment it was not the doll she wanted but one similar . She never played with it, she stated. She is here also, along with a Shirley Temple doll. 

       After lunch they came back to the Museum and had a showing of several beautiful quilts that Beulah had quilted, some she had entered in shows.

     That day was a day of donating items that they both thought so much of. Stories of younger days, and fellowship with friends and a quilt show! It was a good day!

  Other items that were donated were a 1868 Wedding certificate of Tucker and Harding and a picture of Ashmore generations, a basket that was used to transport items on the train that says: to G.C. McPike, and a few other items that were greatly appreciated.

The Gardner House Museum is open on Mondays, Wednesday’s, and Fridays 10 to2 

The Old Marion County Jail and Research Center is open on Wednesdays 10to 2