Guest blogger Dr. Adam Criblez, associate professor at The Center for Regional History at SEMO, shares the best ways to experience history firsthand this spring in Cape Girardeau.
Cape Girardeau is one of the oldest cities in Missouri, tracing its European roots to the mid-1700s. Today, visitors can explore the rich history of the region in many ways. Here are a few ideas to get you started!
Trail of Tears State Park:
https://mostateparks.com/park/trail-tears-state-park
The Trail of Tears was a harsh trek made by Cherokee Indian groups forced to relocate to Oklahoma from eastern states in the late 1830s. Visiting the Trail of Tears State Park teaches the history of this Cherokee migration (including an excellent short film which plays on demand in the Visitor Center), while hiking trails and picnic areas allow guests to experience the park’s natural beauty.
Mississippi River Tales Mural:
https://visitcape.com/discover/murals/
Did you know that Lewis and Clark stayed in Cape Girardeau before they made their famous trip across the country in the early 1800s? Or that Ulysses S. Grant approved the construction of the city’s Civil War fortifications? What about the Jazz Age riverboats featuring music and ballroom dancing? Strolling along the Mississippi River Tales Mural, painted on the downtown floodwall, and reading the plaques describing each panel is a great way to learn a lot about the history of Cape Girardeau!
Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum:
Located on the River Campus of Southeast Missouri State University, with a beautiful view of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge at nearby Riverfront Bridge Park, the Crisp Museum is an local treasure. The Crisp Museum is *the* place to view contemporary art, to enroll in a workshop, to listen to a lecture about a local history topic, or even to take part in poetry open mic night. There are also exhibits featuring regional archaeology, transportation, and Native American life (along with several rotating exhibits, so plan to visit again soon!).
Driving Tours:
https://visitcape.com/blog/?category=itineraries
Whether you live in Cape Girardeau, or are just passing through, there is a lot of history to explore here. So why not saddle up your horse (or gas up your car, or maybe lace up your sneakers) and take a tour of Cape. You can visit the filming locations from the 2014 film “Gone Girl,” retrace the steps a young Rush Limbaugh took when he was raised in Cape, learn about the rich history of African Americans in the region, or even step back in time to the days of Lewis and Clark, or the American Civil War, with self-guided local tours. There is something for everyone!