September 2017 Gathering Highlights

September 2017 gathering at the Overland Historical Society

September 6, 2017
A tour of the Overland Historical Society (OHS) property was enjoyed by 43 Wild Ones members and six guests. We were welcomed by Eedie Cuminale and numerous volunteers who offered tours of the site’s log house, log barn, and museum.  The society was founded in 1976.

The OHS is a past recipient of a $400 grant from our chapter for a public Missouri native plant community garden. In 2007 Eedie Cuminale applied for the grant and coordinated the volunteers who prepped the site and planted the garden.

Ten years later, the garden is beautifully maintained, as is the entire property. The garden is planted along a split-rail fence at the front of the property on Lackland Road. Eedie continues to oversee maintenance of this lovely garden which includes a pleasing amount of plant diversity. Species include:

• Blazing stars (Liatris sp) which attract numerous monarch butterflies
• Willowleaf sunflower (Helianthus salicifolius)
• Purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata)
• Black-eyed sunflowers (Rudbeckia hirta)
• Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa)

The gathering’s meeting

A magnificent American beech tree (Fagus grandifolia) which was planted in 1985 graces the property. An OHS volunteer noted that most early-American tools were made from beech tree wood.

It was a joy to visit the garden and tour the historic buildings. The circa 1850 two-story log house is authentic and was dismantled from its original location overlooking the Missouri River just west of Wild Horse Creek Road. It was rebuilt by Overland Historical Society members on the current site, a project which took eight years to complete. Inside is a photo of the house prior to dismantling, a working loom, an antique organ, and several items from the 1800’s.

The log barn exhibit includes tools and farm implements, a covered wagon and buggy. The functional smokehouse was once located between Clayton and Manchester Roads, close to Lindbergh Blvd. An outhouse was constructed as an Eagle Scout project.

Inside the log cabin

The museum features exhibits of Overland and the Overland Trail, displays of antique toys, accessories, and firearms. As Overland is part of the Ritenour School District, the OHS displays memorabilia from the district.

The OHS holds an annual Candlelight Tour with seasonal holiday decorations of the era, fires in the working fireplaces, and antique organ-playing. The dates for 2017 are December 9 and 10. All are welcome to attend.

Marsha Gebhardt made the following announcements.

Volunteer Opportunities
Sign up online for any of these opportunities at:

• Bring Conservation Home Native Plant Expo – September 23
• Landscape Challenge planting – September 30

The native plant area

Second annual Native Plant Workshop in Arcadia, Missouri
Linda and Bill Bennett are hosting a native plant workshop on September 30.  Speakers include:

• Dave Tylka – Native Landscaping for Songbirds and Hummingbirds
• Ann Earley and Bob Siemer – Wild for Monarchs
• Betty Struckhoff – Designing with Nature in Mind
• Q & A and panel discussion with Dr. Chad Follis
• Also, a Missouri Wildflowers Nursery plant sale

Next Gathering
Saturday October 7, 10:00 a.m.

Take a tour of the Museum of Transportation’s new Pollinator Junction garden, led by Mary Ann Fink, plus two additional native garden tours led by April Anderson. There are two entrances off Barrett Station Rd for the museum. If coming from Dougherty Ferry Rd, take the first entrance. If coming from Big Bend Rd, take the second entrance. We will meet Mary Ann in front of the Visitor Center at 10:00 a.m.

The entrance fee has been generously waived for us because of a grant we previously gave to the museum. Carpooling is encouraged.

Recorded by:  Fran Glass, Secretary

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