Stone County Museum Announces Digitalization of Historical Exhibits

Crane, Missouri — February 10, 2025 – The Stone County Historical/Genealogical Society (Museum) is excited to announce the launch of its Exhibit Digitalization Project. This project will make key historical exhibits accessible online for the first time. This project, made possible by a $5,000 grant from Missouri Humanities and funding from the people of Missouri, including valued members, donors, and volunteers, will ensure that Stone County’s rich heritage is preserved and shared with a wider audience.

With this funding, the museum will digitize three exhibits, entitled Stone County Railroad History, the Stone County Trail of Tears and Military Scroll of Honor. Each digital exhibit will feature high-resolution images, interactive timelines, dedicated webpages and narrated oral histories.

“The history of Stone County is too valuable to be limited by physical space,” said Grant Manager, Tina Didreckson. “By digitizing our collections, we are making history more accessible while preserving it for future generations.”

This project is being developed in collaboration with Stone County residents, local, regional and national historians, genealogists, organizations and digital preservation experts. Additionally, the digitalized exhibits will feature interactive artifacts, QR codes, field trips to Stone County locations and educational programs. This will bring Stone County’s history closer to local schools, libraries, and community events.

As part of the project, the museum invites community members to contribute by sharing photographs, documents, artifacts or personal stories related to Stone County’s past. Those interested in participating can contact the museum at research@stonecountymuseum.org, visit www.stonecountymuseum.org or in person the Museum located at 117 Main Street in Crane.

The first phase of the digital exhibits is expected to launch by Memorial Day, with the Scroll of Honor Military Exhibit reconfiguration. New additions will follow monthly until Veterans Day. If you are interesting in financially supporting one or more of these exhibits, reach out a museum director or grants@stonecountymuseum.org

This project was funded by Missouri Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this project do not necessarily represent those of Missouri Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

About the Stone County Museum

The Stone County Museum was founded in 1976 and is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of Stone County, Missouri. Through exhibits, educational programs, and community outreach, the museum provides an engaging and immersive experience for visitors of all ages.