(FORSYTH, MO.)      In addition to a museum and gift shop/bookstore, the White River Valley Historical Society houses a research library which is frequently in use by historical, as well as genealogical, researchers.  At present, the library includes indexed copies of vintage ledgers, published volumes of local history and collectibles, and original bound newspapers from the area, with plans to add copies of the Society’s photograph collections in the near future.  In addition, the holdings include a growing collection of school yearbooks.

“We’d like to see the number of yearbooks in our library increase substantially,” said Managing Director Leslie Wyman.  “Not only do they give the historical researcher information on the schools, fads, clubs, etc of the time, but genealogists love to use them to find a photo of their ancestor.  Thanks to the generosity of donors, as well as Forsyth School donating some of their duplicate copies, we have several now, particularly the later editions.  We also have a few from the 1960’s and 1970’s, as well as some very old ones from the early 1920's.  We encourage anyone who no longer wishes to keep their books to consider donating them to us, including the small books from the elementary schools, such as Kirbyville, Mark Twain, Taneyville, and Cedarcreek.”

To discuss donations, the White River Valley Historical Society’s phone number is 417-546-2210, and email is wrvhs@hotmail.com.  The 50-year-old organization is located at 297 Main Street, Forsyth, across from the Judicial Facility.  Regular operating hours, weather permitting, are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with no admission charge.  The Historical Society’s website is www.wrvhs.org.