The Missouri State Museum will present the program "Corporal Rufus Vann, A Man to Remember" as part of its ongoing "Museum After Hours" series at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3 in the History Hall in the east wing of the State Capitol.
The October 1862 Battle of Island Mound in Bates County, Mo., marked the first time African-American troops were engaged in Civil War combat. Cpl. Rufus Vann of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment took part in the battle to defend his freedom and the Union. Vann’s descendant, Willadine Johnson, will tell his story and that of the regiment that made history.
The Missouri State Museum’s "Museum after Hours" events are held the first Wednesday of each month when the museum galleries remain open from 5-9 p.m. "Museum after Hours" is for those who have wondered what it would be like to visit the museum at night or whose schedules don’t allow daytime outings. In addition to the special programs, the events allow a more relaxed opportunity to view all the museum exhibits. These exhibits include both old favorites and new offerings. Evening entry to the will be through the carriage entrance on the south side of the building underneath the grand staircase.
The Missouri State Museum, which is part of the Missouri state park system, is located on the first floor of the Missouri State Capitol. For more information about the event, call the museum at 573-751-2854. Missouri State Parks is supported by the one-tenth of one-percent Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax, which accounts for approximately 75 percent of the budget to repair, improve and maintain state parks and historic sites. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.