“Farmhouses Before the Great Flood of 1993, Life in the Chamois and Morrison Missouri River Bottoms,” Project Director Susan Sundermeyer greeted visitors to Saturday’s open house at St. John's United Church of Christ in Chamois, where a table prominently displayed 200 copies of the book that represents five years of effort.

“It’s a labor of love, that’s for sure,” said Sundermeyer. “Initially this was a one-year grant through the Missouri Humanities Council, and after a year, they were expecting my report but it wasn’t done yet. I thought maybe it would take three years.”

Since the Great Flood of 1993, the once bountiful and purposeful farmhouses in the Missouri River Bottoms of Chamois and Morrison have mostly disappeared.

“Farmhouses Before the Great Flood of 1993, Life in the Chamois and Morrison Missouri River Bottoms,” was accepted by the Missouri 2021 Endorsement Program, an initiative of The State Historical Society of Missouri and its Center for Missouri Studies.

Sundermeyer, a Chamois native, and longtime local historian, said more than 80 people provided information and over 700 pictures for the book, which features photos, stories, and histories of farm life in a 16-mile stretch of the Missouri River Bottoms. Of 122 structures, the history includes hill houses, Lewis and Clark sites, and old schools affected by flooding.

Many ordered the book ahead of time while others were able to buy them Saturday, though all available copies have been dispensed.

“I may have to order more books,” Sundermeyer said.

Information was printed on 16 portable banners for display in Chamois and they may be taken elsewhere (schools, churches, libraries, Historical Societies, the Capitol Museum, Taste of Osage County, and other places) for display.

The grand opening of this display was to have taken place during Chamois Day, always the third Saturday in September. Due to COVID-19, it was postponed until last Saturday.

This program was funded by a grant from the Missouri Humanities Council, the Chamois Historic Preservation Commission, and the Chamois Industrial Development Corporation.

The mission of Missouri 2021 is to promote a better understanding of Missouri and its regions, communities, and people, both past and present.

The Missouri Bicentennial provides opportunities for citizens to celebrate, explore, and share perspectives on the state’s history and culture.

The 97th Missouri General Assembly, during its First Regular Session in 2013, issued House Concurrent Resolution 7 (HRCR7). It tasked the State Historical Society of Missouri with developing “plans, ideas, and proposals to commemorate and celebrate” the Missouri Bicentennial and providing “guidance and direction to statewide efforts to promote and celebrate the state of Missouri’s rich and complex history.”

For more information, visit www.missouri2021.org.