On Friday, July 30, the Joplin Globe ran an article noting that the renovation of the Spanish villa-style mansion that formed the nucleus of Joplin Community College’s expansion was nearly complete. The 90 year old manor, which has had many roles, will be the new home of the alumni association. Tying the home into Joplin’s history, besides it’s role with Missouri Southern State University, is the fact that it was built by a wealthy mine owner. As the last few decades have not been kind to the marvelous architectural feats funded by the mines of Southwest Missouri, it’s great to see one of them given a new lease on life.
Got Any Photos of the Union Depot?
Earlier this week, the Joplin Globe ran a story concerning a request for photographs of the Union Depot. As part of the growing movement to renovate the Union Depot, architect Chad Greer has requested of the public any and all photos of the Union Depot’s interior. A visit to the Depot will reveal that there is very little left in the old train station at the moment, much of it stripped during the previous attempt at renovation. For links to some interior photographs and a video walk through of the interior, see this previous post.
In the realm of restoration, the goal is to achieve the closest resemblance to the past as possible. Achieving that aim can also be expensive, hence the need to know exactly what you’re trying to accomplish. For those who might have interior shots of the Union Depot, see the first link for contact information with Mr. Greer. Importantly, you don’t have to relinquish those family photographs, either, Greer and his associates can make a copy of your photograph and let you keep the original. An additional aspect of this request is to build up a photographic archive as a historic collection, something we naturally applaud.
Got a Photo of the Union Depot's Interior? Help 'em out!
Museum Boards Meet to Discuss Depot Plans – HJ’s Response
Today’s Joplin Globe reported that the Joplin Museum and Historical Society boards met to discuss the Gryphon Building and Union Depot as potential locations for the Joplin Museum Complex. Both boards voted against a proposal to purchase the newly renovated Gryphon Building. The cost of the Gryphon Building was far too high for the museum.
Joplin Museum Complex Director Brad Belk then discussed the Union Depot. After noting, “It is better laid out than the current museum location” he claimed the size of the depot is smaller than the current museum facility and that it has water issues in the basement.
Gee.
The depot is almost one hundred years old and has been sitting empty since the 1970s. With no windows, no doors, and no maintenance, it’s not surprising that it has a few issues. At least one architect and one contractor have expressed their opinion that the structure is sound and built to last.
It seems Belk and the museum/society boards are dragging their feet when there is a golden opportunity before them. They could be heroes! Imagine — revitalizing the Union Depot, a beautiful structure that stands on the site of the lead strike that led to Joplin’s very existence — and helping anchor and rehabilitate north downtown Joplin. Instead, they are letting a few puddles of water and space concerns constrain them.
Look into the water issue. Talk to architects about the cost and design of an addition to the current structure that would bring needed additional space that would, at the same time, preserve the architectural integrity of the depot. The Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City managed to do this.
Now, we realize that the museum complex is poor as a church mouse and that its board members are unable and/or unwilling to cough up a significant amount of funds needed to bring in a renown architect and build a modern addition like the Nelson-Atkins. That isn’t necessary. What is necessary is that the boards and Belk seize this opportunity. A local architect can be found who can create a tasteful and aesthetically pleasing addition.
They have no concept of vision. But, then again, it seems that the museum and society boards are populated by good old boys who know very little about museums and historic preservation.
Why not look into Mark Rohr’s proposals of grants and other funding methods to make the dream come true? It certainly would be better to try and fail in this case rather than just sit and do nothing but complain and grumble.
Let’s face it.
In April the voters declined to support the museum’s pathetic takeover of Memorial Hall. Memorial Hall is over. Move on. Move on to what people are actually voicing support for. Museum attendance across the nation has been declining for years. Either you march into the future or you wait to be swept up into the dustbin of history and irrelevance.
What will it be?
In memory of the feisty Joplin Globe and News-Herald editors of yesteryear who never failed to express their opinion whether popular or not.
Don't Let The Museum Board Balk at A New Home!
Renovation Proceeds on the Joplin Supply Company building and Gryphon Building
More news on other renovation projects going on in downtown Joplin from the Joplin Globe. First, we have the former Joplin Supply Company building at 228 S. Joplin Ave, where the renovation is proceeding under the ownership of a Kansas City developer, Donald Rosemann, and general contractor from Shawnee, Kansas, Straub Construction. The building will be rechristened the Ford Lofts and will offer 35 apartments, 7 of them single bedroom and the rest two bedroom. Rosemann believes that they’ll have high occupancy by completion next year. Part of the key is that the building will receive federal funding to offer reduced rents for affordable living. For bonus points, check out the comment section for the revelation that some individuals view “loft living” as an 8th deadly sin.
Second, is a follow up on the status of the Gryphon Building at 1027 S. Main Street. The building, former home to the Interstate Grocers Association, will open in a few weeks with an expected 60% occupancy. The cost of the renovation was around $8,000,000 and the building will be leased by floor in stages. The first floor will feature “historic elements” that remain from the executive offices of the grocery company and provide restaurant and retail space; the third floor will have a “business incubator” that will feature 19 suites, with a “common reception area, conference room, kitchen and break room.” In the basement will be a gym, and the other floors will all be business space.
Here are two links, one to the building’s facebook page and the other to the regular website for the building.
Here’s an earlier home of the Interstate Grocers.
The home of the Interstate Grocers before the present Gryphon Building
More Coverage on the Union Depot Proposal
Support the renovation of the Joplin Union Depot as a new home for the Joplin Museum Complex!
On Sunday, July 11, 2010, the Joplin Globe featured two articles on the Union Depot. The first article includes a brief history of the depot, when it was built, as well efforts twenty some years ago to renovate it (which only succeeded in putting on a new roof and new stucco on the walls). Also in the article are some quotations from Clair Goodwin, president of the museum board, who appears reticent about the proposal. A quote is also offered from Allen Shirley, president of the Joplin Historical Society, again along the lines of hesitance, this time due to space issues. Historic Joplin yesterday posted a response to the current management of the Joplin Museum Complex with regard to these quotations.
The second article featured a walk through with David Glenn, a contractor and owner of Glenn Commercial Group, who participated in the attempt to renovate the depot twenty some years ago. In it, Glenn points out how the building is in a good position structurally and has a relatively new roof. Included with the article is an interesting video of the walk through with Glenn and a Globe reporter.
White Man’s Heaven Website Live
A couple weeks ago, we announced the publication of White Man’s Heaven: The Lynching and Expulsion of Blacks in the Southern Ozarks, 1894 – 1906, by Kimberly Harper. Since that time, the official website for White Man’s Heaven has gone live. In the future, you can check there for all the latest news and developments concerning the book. Check it out at the following address: www.whitemansheaven.com .
Thomas Hart Benton Documentary to Air 7/10/2010 on KODE at 6pm
As reported by the Joplin Globe, a documentary produced by the late KODE newsman, Bob Phillips, of the creation of Thomas Hart Benton’s “Joplin at the Turn of the Century” mural, will air on KODE on Saturday, July 10, 2010, at 6pm. The documentary is a rare look at how Benton created his artwork, from research to painting. “Joplin at the Turn of the Century” is located in the Joplin administrative building on Main Street.
Union Depot Renovation Has Support of Downtown Merchants
In follow up coverage by the Joplin Globe, merchants along Main Street have voiced their support for the depot renovation for use as a museum, along with the rest of the plans from Tuesday’s, July 6, 2010, meeting. The Globe has also run an editorial supporting the plan, though with some worry about funding drying up in the current economic condition. The Globe‘s suggestion for the City Council? Act steadfastly. Make it so, Joplin!
Support the renovation of the Joplin Union Depot as a new home for the Joplin Museum Complex!
Renovated Union Depot Proposed Home For Museum
At last night’s City Council meeting, City Manager Mark Rohr proposed that the Union Depot be renovated to be used as a new home for the Joplin Museum Complex. As covered by the Joplin Globe, Rohr believes that existing sources of funding exist and as a result, no new taxes would be required for the project.
The Joplin Union Depot not long after it was opened. A great future home for the Joplin Museum Complex.
We, here at Historic Joplin, strongly support this proposal. We hope that it becomes reality and that someday in the near future, we can walk in and enjoy a beautifully restored depot. Even though the Carnegie Library appears not to have been part of the new plan, we hope it too has a bright future.
The Joplin Carnegie Library as it appears in 2010.
The Museum Issue May Rise Again
On Saturday, July 3, the Joplin Globe spoke with City Manager, Mark Rohr, about an announcement he will give on Tuesday, July 6. Rohr was responsible for the planning behind the revitalization of the Sunshine Lamp district in 2005. It was implied in the article that remaining elements of the 2005 plan may be addressed, those being the restoration and use of the neglected Union Depot, the currently privately owned Carnegie Library, and the Rains building. It was in that plan that the Museum Complex was to theoretically be moved to the depot.
Historic Joplin supported this solution to the museum problem back in April and certainly continue to support it. The depot is one of the city’s last remaining architectural beauties and there need not be any further Connor travesties by allowing it to fall to pieces or purposely tear it down.
For a two part history of Joplin’s Carnegie Library, click here and here.
