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The Westport Historical Society... celebrates and commemorates the 19th Century when Americans journeyed West to chase their dream. Many chose the town of Westport as the point where they "jumped off" onto the trails and into the great American Wilderness. Westport, in the heart of Kansas City, is a small village that is filled with legend and history. The Westport Historical Society celebrates the lively history of Westport and its first citizens. We welcome you to visit us and step back in time to an earlier day when Westport and the Town of Kansas were on the nation's frontier. More than 150 years ago, thousands of adventurers from all walks of life came to Westport to explore and seek their fortunes along the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails. Mountain men and preachers walked the lanes and streets of Westport, drawn here by the mystique of the West. The village of Westport flourished with a cosmopolitan flavor as merchants outfitted wagon trains headed to the Spanish and Mexican settlements. Everyday, more and more people began their westward journey in Westport and as the town grew, the foundation for Kansas City was laid. Today, Westport is a thriving community where people live and shop in many of Westport's original buildings. Although the reason why people flood to Westport has changed in the past 150 years, the energy and vitality of the district remain the same! The Westport Historical Society actively preserves the unique moment in history of the great Westward Migration by sharing the stories of how Kansas City began and by educating the greater Kansas City community of Westport's role in the shaping of the society in America. The Society also researches the Battle of Westport, the largest Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi. We are partnered with the Monnett Battle of Westport Fund in its efforts to restore and preserve the Westport Battlefields. We invite you to bring research ideas to us. As a member, you have access to our resources and contacts! History students of all ages, school districts, history buffs and Westport's residents are all encouraged to make the Historical Society their favorite resource. The Westport Library Speaker Series for August 14, 2010 presented by the Westport Historical Society and the Westport Library
On Saturday August 14, 2010, The Westport Historical Society and the Westport Branch of the Kansas City, MO public library welcome Dr. Timothy Westcott as the August featured speaker. Dr. Westcott's topic will be GENERAL ORDER NUMBER 11 which was issued by Union Brigadier General Thomas Ewing, Jr. on 25 August 1863. The Order was issued following a guerrilla raid on Lawrence, Kansas, less than a week earlier and was designed to evacuate four western Missouri counties. Loyalists and non-loyalists alike had to relocate to military outposts near Independence, Harrisonville, Hickman’s Mills, Kansas City and Pleasant Hill. Our distinguished speaker is an Associate Professor of History and Department Chair of Culture and Society at Park University in Parkville, Mo. Dr. Westcott was graduated from Avila College with a bachelor of arts in History in Secondary Education in 1988; the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a master of arts in History in 1994; and the Union Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, with a doctorate in History in 2002. He has presented many papers on topics related to Kansas and Missouri history at numerous local, regional, and national conferences. Most notably, General Order Number Eleven, The Trial of Tears Revisited, The Underground Railroad in Kansas, and O Thy Brothers and Sisters of Kansas have been applauded by many audiences. Westcott is a lifetime member of the Mound City, Kan. Historical Society and the Lecompton, Kan. Historical Society. Recently, he accepted a seat on the board of directors of the Westport Historical Society. He has been a recipient of a Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History Fellowship in New York City. Educational awards include the J.L Zwingle Award for Outstanding Teacher, Outstanding Faculty Award and two “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” recognitions. The public is invited to join us for this free event beginning at 2:00pm. Following Dr. Westcott's program, please join us at the 1855 Harris-Kearney House, 4000 Baltimore, for refreshments. For more information, please call 816-561-1821 or 913-648-0952
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Kansas City, Missouri,
64111 
