Join Missouri Humanities on our “Roots & Routes” journey as we consider the movement of people, both voluntary and involuntary, and its influence on the cultural heritage, natural environment, and modern makeup of Missouri.
Through both in-person public programming and digital content, we aim to explore what has influenced the movement of people into, out of, and within our state, and take a glance at how both chosen and forced migrations and changes in transportation throughout our state’s history have shaped Missouri and continue to weave a tapestry of diverse cultures that ultimately define and redefine this place.
Featured Film:
Si Otsedoha (We Are Still Here): Remembering Cherokee Removal
Presenting the debut short film of our 2023 Signature Series. The film follows the Remember The Removal Bike Ride and highlights the endurance, emotions, and bonds of Cherokee people over nearly 1,000 miles along the Trail of Tears. Missouri is the longest and one of the toughest sections of the ride, sometimes called “Misery” by riders because of its hilly terrain.
Thank you to the Remember the Removal Bike Ride and Cherokee Nation for allowing us to share this story.
Upcoming Events:
Roots & Routes of the Ozarks: People and Pathways
Missouri Humanities’ 6th Annual Humanities Symposium, “Roots & Routes of the Ozarks: People & Pathways” will center around the movement of people into, out of, and within the Ozarks—examining how both chosen and forced migration and how historical changes in transportation continue to inhabit and shape the region.
Through a series of “passport” programs, participants will be invited to move around Springfield to join us for our keynote presentation on Friday, April 28th and four program sessions on Saturday, April 29th. Attendance to all sessions is not required, but attendees are invited to join us for any or all sessions!
To register and learn more about our keynote presenter Candacy Taylor, cultural documentarian and author of the bestselling book, Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America, and our individual Saturday sessions, click the link below.
Roots & Routes: The Podcast
Throughout 2023, the “Roots & Routes” podcast series will bring you conversations with special guests that explore the movement of people, both voluntary and involuntary, and its influence on the cultural heritage, natural environment, and modern makeup of Missouri.
Join us as we look at how these movements have shaped Missouri and, to this day, weave a tapestry of diverse cultures that ultimately define and redefine this place.
Episode 2: Black Movement Part 1: The Exodusters is now available!
Past Events:
Roots & Routes in Missouri: A Virtual Roundtable
How does the movement of people impact the past, present, and future of Missouri? Missouri Humanities hosted a roundtable discussion to help answer this question and to set the stage for its Signature Series, “Roots & Routes: The Movement and Settlement of Missourians.” Our dynamic panel of speakers of varying areas of expertise, differing perspectives, and diverse backgrounds helped answer some stage-setting questions as we broadly explored some of the bigger shifts in migration patterns and how the movement of people has impacted our state.
The conversation was moderated by Dr. Sudarsan Kant, Associate Professor of Political Science at Harris-Stowe State University, and our full panel includes Dr. Ness Sandoval, professor of demography and sociology at Saint Louis University, Cicely Hunter, Public Historian for the Missouri Historical Society with a Master of Arts in American Studies, Molly Butterworth, author and former director of the Museum of Transportation with a master’s in public history, Jim Duncan, an archaeologist, educator, author, and Osage scholar, and has served as Director of the Missouri State Museum and Exhibits Director for the Missouri Department of Conservation.
“I’m always curious to ask new acquaintances, ‘Where did your story begin?’ or ‘What journeys of the past inspire your own?’ The theme for this year’s signature series, ‘Roots & Routes,’ will offer Missourians a platform to discuss our family lineages and highlight genealogical initiatives while also showcasing the trails and expeditions that have so profoundly shaped our state’s heritage. Dr. Jon Taylor, Professor of History at the University of Central Missouri, recently told me that the best onramps for engaging new audiences around history are often their own family or local histories. This rings true for me and I am eager to incorporate these conversations about the movements and settlements of Missourians into our comprehensive strategy to make the humanities a larger part of public life across the state.”