2023 Conference – Joplin – Missouri Preservation

Missouri Preservation would like to thank all of the friends, speakers, vendors, supporters, volunteers, attendees and everyone else that made the 2023 Conference possible! Planning an event this large is a group effort — we could not have done it without you.

Executive Director of Missouri Preservation, Riley Price (left) with Senator Jill Cater, Downtown Joplin Executive Director Lori Haun, and Carolina Neal of Neal Group Construction at the President’s Reception.

On Tuesday evening, per tradition, our speakers, vendors, sponsors and other important guests gathered at the annual President’s Reception which is held as a thank you for their time and generosity. This year’s reception was held at a private residence in the Murphysburg Residential Historic District, known as the Frank Sharp House. The home’s generous owners allowed attendees free reign to explore the house, including access to the roof through the attic!

We were incredibly excited to host the Conference at the beautiful and historic Scottish Rite Cathedral. Despite the amount of stairs (everyone got a workout!), this venue could not have been better for a bunch of nosy preservationists. The building has retained almost all of its original features throughout the interior — and the staff and members of the Scottish Rite were excited to share information about the building with our attendeees.

Our keynote speaker, Stacy Grinsfelder, host of the podcast True Tales from Old Houses, spoke on the importance of telling your story. She referenced a number of guests who have joined her on her podcast and how sharing their stories has impacted her own preservation efforts, as well as efforts across the country. A huge thank you to Neal Group Construction & Commons Based Development for sponsoring and making it possible to bring Stacy to our conference.

Wednesday evening’s Opening Reception was held at thew newly constructed Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex. Although the building is new, attendees got to learn about how the building has ties to varying points and locations in Joplin’s history. We always enjoy the mingling and networking that takes place at this reception over good food and drink! Thank you to Sharon & Lance Beshore for making the reception possible.

Stacy Grinsfelder gives the keynote address in the beautiful auditorium of the Scottish Rite Cathedral.

A major highlight of the conference was the two opportunities attendees had to tour the ongoing work at The Olivia Apartments, a former Place in Peril. Neal Group Construction and a representative from preservation consulting firm, Rosin Preservation, led attendees through the project and discussed the various successes and challenges of adapting the historic building for modern use while meeting the Secretary of the Interior Standards (as the project is utilizing both Federal and Missouri Historic Tax Credits). Thank you to Green House LLC and CGA Architects, both also involved in The Olivia project, for sponsoring these tours.

Thursday evening we were invited to attend the awards ceremony for a local organization that teaches area children about history and architecture utilizing LEGO bricks. The Iconic Joplin Awards Ceremony recognized six teams of teens who collaborated and built local landmarks out of LEGOs in celebration of Joplin’s 150 birthday. The LEGO models included: the Bonnie & Clyde Hideout; Crystal Cave; Grand Falls; Joplin Public Library; Joplin Union Depot; and the Olivia Apartments. We hope our attendees take this wonderful idea home and implement it in their own communities!

Another Missouri Place in Peril was featured at the conference: the Joplin Union Depot. On Friday, attendees had the opportunity to tour the abandoned depot with Downtown Joplin Executive Director, Lori Haun, who has helped spearhead efforts to find a buyer and new use for the iconic structure. Later that afternoon, Haun spoke on Joplin’s local endangered properties program and how they have used a revolivng fund to save endangered buildings in town.