Articles - Historic City of Jefferson

Over the course of the last decade, a number of individuals have contributed articles in the name of Historic City of Jefferson for publication in our local newspaper, News Tribune or in the HCJ Newsletter. These articles have covered a myriad of topics in the history of our city, county and state and have only been available in archived copies of the newspaper after their initial circulation. These individuals and Historic City of Jefferson have graciously consented to allow those articles to be made available on this website so that all may profit from them. The articles which appeared in the HCJ Newsletters can be found online on the HCJ website [click here]

The Historic City of Jefferson has many projects in addition to these articles that appear here. We hope that you will investigate and follow what is happening in your city as a result of the activism of HCJ. Please choose to join them at https://www.historiccityofjefferson.org/ . More about HCJ follows. Links to those articles will be gradually appearing in the menu box along the right side of this page. We hope that you enjoy them.

After 35 years of advocating on behalf of historic preservation issues in Jefferson City, Historic City of Jefferson now has a historic building to call its own. Earlier today HCJ purchased the historic Tweedie Building at 601 East High Street for use as office space.

We are excited about the opportunities ahead. We now have the space needed to host free educational programs to the public on areas related to historic preservation as well as space for the public to come and access the wide variety of resources we have related to the historic buildings and neighborhoods in Jefferson City, stated HCJ President Donna Deetz.

The Victorian style building, built in the 1870s by the Tweedie family which was known for operating the Tweedie Shoe Company, retains many original architectural features. In the 1880s, it was one of the first buildings in town to have indoor plumbing. In the 20th century, it served as the Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home, then as a home for Hospice and most recently was used by Cole County Residential Services. Later additions mean that it is not individually eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, similar to the old St. Mary's hospital.

We felt it was important to demonstrate that although it previously had a large addition added to it the historical integrity of the original building remains. We must recognize that although buildings might change over time, they still have an important story to tell, said Deetz.

Historic City of Jefferson plans to use the building for a variety of things including meeting space for its members and board, conducting interviews for its oral history project, and educational programs for the public throughout the year. In addition, there will be dedicated space for the Schrieber Collection from the Missouri State Penitentiary as well as the contents of the 1904 St. Mary's Time Capsule.