Sappington-Concord Historical Society celebrates its 25th anniversary all year in 2017. On this page below are:
• Photos of the 25th anniversary dinner in Cotober
• List of sponsors of the 25th anniversary
• Photos of the 25th anniversary celebration in April
• History and accomplishments of Sappington-Concord Historical Society in its first 25 years

25th anniversary dinner

Photos below are of the Sappington Creek Bluegrass band headed up by Dr Jim Simpson on fiddle. Dr Simpson is Superintendent of the Lindbergh Schools.

Photo below left shows Terry Rupp, organizer and master of ceremonies for the evening. The photo at the bottom shows on the right, Dr Jim Sandfort, previous superintendent of Lindbergh Schools and one of the founders of Sappington-Concord Historical Society. On the left, Wayne Ashwell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos of the 25th anniversary celebration on April 23, 2017

 

Entertainment by the Queens of Swing led by Pat Treacy

Learn more about The Queens of Swing from the feature article about them in the South County Times newspaper. Follow them on Facebook.

History and accomplishments of Sappington-Concord Historical Society

Founded in 1992 by local citizens at the initiative of Dr Jim Sanfort, Superintendent of the Lindbergh Schools, the society’s purpose is to help students in the district learn about their local history. The mission of the society is to research, collect, and preserve the history of the Sappington and Concord areas, and then to educate the students and citizens of the areas. Over the years, the society has focused on three kinds of work; honoring veterans, educating students and preserving history.

Honoring veterans

The Hometown Heroes (2003) book, which contains reflections and reminiscences of over 140 veterans and their families, mostly of the World War II generation, with a few veterans of later wars and World War I. This book is still available for sale.

The society produced two videos in conjunction with the Special School District, featuring veterans of World War II relating their experiences. They were moderated by Ross Wagner. One video covered the Pacific theater and the other the European theater. The videos were shown on KETC.

The society in 1995 restored a monument which now stands in the Sappington-Concord Memorial Park at the intersection of Sappington Road and Gravois Road. The monument was built in 1944 to list the names of those serving in World War II. It was originally built of wood. Over the years it fell into disrepair until it was removed to a local school. In 1995, the Society rebuilt the memorial using Missouri red granite.

Since 1995 the society has held its annual Memorial Day service either in Memorial Park or up the hill on Denny Road on the Green at St. Lucas church.

In 2013, the society participated in the Vietnam traveling wall project spearheaded by the Sunset Hills Historical Society and located at Lindbergh High School.

The society has been a sponsor for three years of the Honor Glow at Historic Sappington House in conjunction with USA Cares which raises money in support of veterans in crisis. The HOnor Glow features holiday activities geared to families and there is a patriotic ceremony to honor veterans

Educating students

The society gifted a bust of Charles Lindbergh to the Lindbergh Schools which now stands in the lobby of the high school auditorium.

It restored the original school bell at Concord School and then arranged for its display in the lobby of the newly remodeled school so that students could see it every day is arrived at school. The bell was restored to commemorate 20th anniversary of the society.

The society has gave a plaque to the Lindbergh Schools to display in its new administrative offices at Sappington and Gravois Roads. The plaque commemorates the history of the site as one of commerce and community.

In 2016, the society started a three-year partnership with the Archaeological Institute of America St. Louis Society and the Sappington House to hold a summer archaeological dig at the house for high school students in the area.

The Past and Present Partnership programs to give students hands-on experiences with history

The Tombstone Tales programs, living histories of local persons of note

Preserving history and sharing it with adults through educational programs and presentations

Sappington-Concord: A History (1995), a book on the history of the area

The society publishes four times a year a newsletter of approximately 12 to 16 pages which features articles of local interest written by local authors. The society has printed and mailed its newsletter almost every quarter since its founding in 1992

The society maintains an archive of photos, documents and items of historical interest

The society has four general meetings a year, each with a presentation on a general interest topic of history

The society has four meet-at-the-site tours a year to visit a site of historic interest

The society sponsors a monthly presentation on a historical topic at Friendship Village Sunset Hills

The society sponsors a day time presentation twice each winter at Grant’s View library

 

In the photos below, the SCHS board of directors toasts the 20th anniversary of the construction of the WW II Honor Roll in Memorial Park