Over 250 people attended the 51st annual Benton County Historical Society Banquet held at St. Ann Catholic Church near Warsaw on Thursday evening, April 4.
BCHS president Leroy Whitaker opened the evening by introducing the BCHS officers; Vice-President and secretary Jeff Polly; Treasurer Kent Campbell; and board members Rick Bibb, Marsha Eaton, Amie Breshears, Rosemary McMahan, Phyllis Smith, Janice Swearngin and Donnie Nichols.
During the evening, attendees placed bids on items offered for the silent auction. A live auction was held after dinner with Larry Drenon Auction providing their services.
One of the top items for the auction was a set of “The History of Benton County, Missouri” books by Kathleen Kelly White and Kathleen White Miles. The books were published in the 1969. The set of three, purchased by Ted Roush, went for $1,400. A hand-carved duck by Donnie Nichols was purchased by Kent Campbell for $525. Shawn Miller of Warsaw won the necklace raffle and the night’s big door prize of a lifetime membership to the Benton County Historical Society was won by Suzi Brodersen.
According to Whitaker, the auction was a great success. This is the major fundraiser for the museum for the year. Whitaker commented that 809 visitors from 23 states and Canada toured the Benton County Museum last year.
“We appreciate everyone’s support,” said Whitaker. “We were pleased with the turnout and hope to see all of you this summer at the museum.”
BCHS Treasurer Kent Campbell commented that the Board was very pleased with the community’s support.
“Every year is better than the last,” said Campbell.
The meal was provided by Just Another Catering Service of Warsaw and was served by Benton County students.
The public is invited to attend the regular membership Benton County Historical Society meetings held on the second Thursday of the odd months, evenings at 6:30 PM in the Warsaw Library meeting room.
The Benton County Museum is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM and Sundays from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM. The Museum is open from April until October. Admission is $3 for adults, seniors and ages 4 – 12, $2. Benton County Historical Society members are admitted free of charge.
The main exhibit at the museum for the 2024 season is ‘Fashion Through the Twentieth Century’. The room is filled with memories using clothing loaned by local families. Benton County Museum curator Marsha Eaton encouraged everyone to visit the museum during the season to enjoy the history of the area.
“One of our expanded displays is ‘Gunstock Capital of the World’,” said Eaton. The exhibit features gunstocks made at the Bishop and Fajen gunstock factories during the past century.
The 2025 theme for BCHS will be “Sports in Benton County”. The board will be looking for sports memorabilia from Warsaw, Lincoln and Cole Camp.
“We look forward to any items Benton Countians would lend to the museum for a special display,” said Eaton. “We would appreciate any pictures, uniforms, trophies or other sports items that we could borrow for this special display.”
The museum board is currently seeking volunteers to help keep the museum open during the summer.
