WWI / Armistice Day Centennial Commemoration - Part 2 of 4

We continue to commemorate and honor the memory of those that served our country during the Great War and its ending on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918.

We would like to thank VFW Post #6477 for providing a mannequin dressed in an authentic WWI uniform for our exhibit.  This enhances our display in ways that photographs can't always do justice by showing much more details.

Speaking of photographs, thank you to everyone that furnished us with photos of their loved ones in uniform.  Taking the information provided, we were able to augment the display of these servicemen with additional documentation of their service.  Information we found included draft registration cards, passenger listings as they traveled to and from Europe documenting the ships they sailed on, and in a few instances, we discovered photographs of the actual ships.

Where did we find this treasure trove of information to help tell their stories?  We used ancestry.com and you can too!  Just stop by the library and use your library card (or get a guest pass) for two hours of discovery.  The information you find can be emailed to you so you have access to it at home.

You still have plenty of time to see the various displays around the library as they will be, including the mannequin, available for viewing through November 30th. 

Library Honors Wolpers Family For Outstanding Library Support

The Library Board of Trustees dedicated the conference room at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library at a private reception on Tuesday, June 19th in honor of the Wolpers Family who have given more than 70 years of support and service to the library. 

The ceremony recognized the Wolpers Family as good citizens of their town, county, and state by being long-time defenders of Constitutional values and First Amendment rights as newspaper publishers, journalists, and avid library supporters.  Today, as in generations past, the family stands to protect civil liberties for all citizens and works to preserve and improve the quality of life in their communities. The Wolpers Family have served on local, regional, and state boards which have included the University of Missouri Trustees, Missouri Department of Conservation, the Chamber of Commerce, and other local governing boards.  As remarked by board president, Christy Turner, during the unveiling of the plaque, “No one could find a better model of good citizenship.”

Resolutions from Speaker Todd Richardson, Missouri House of Representatives, Senator Doug Libla, Missouri Senate, the Honorable Steve Davis, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Poplar Bluff, and Mrs. Christy Turner, Library Board President were presented at the ceremony.

The Wolpers Family Board Room plaque was unveiled by Lucy Wolpers, daughter of Jim and Joella Wolpers.  Mr. John Stanard as the Wolpers Family representative delivered the closing remarks.