October 21, 2021
This week's Speaker is Bruce Mathews, Author. His topic is "In Search of Lost Time, the Stories of our Ancestors."
Bruce Mathews is a retired professional photographer turned author and historian.
In 2010, working with designer DJ Hyde Matheny, editor Anne Canfield and 25 local co-authors, Mathews published the award-winning Elmwood Cemetery: Stories of Kansas City. Proceeds were designated to benefit that cemetery that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2012, with designer Matheny, editor Carol Powers and five co-authors, Mathews completed a second award-winning book, titled The Kansas City Spirit: Stories of Service Above Self. This book presents the life stories of seventy-five people who, throughout the city’s history, “placed service above self to accomplish the impossible.” Proceeds have benefited five deserving local charities.
2014 saw the release of Kansas City’s Historic Union Cemetery: Lessons for the Future, from the Garden of Time, another team effort that combined the talents of Union Cemetery Board Member Judith King, designer Sarah Meiers, editor Gary Marx and 10 local writers. Proceeds are assisting in the preservation of Kansas City’s oldest public cemetery. Historic Union Cemetery is the oldest public cemetery in Kansas City and, like Elmwood, it too is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Also in 2014 Mathews was the sole author of Windows of Kansas City: As Art, History and Inspiration, which was designed by David Spaw, edited by Lynn Mackle and technical support provided by Richard Hoover. The stained-glass windows found in many churches, homes, hospitals, schools and other venues are truly works of art and a visual blessing for our community. Mathews credits the cooperative efforts of numerous dedicated and community-minded Kansas Citians with any success the book may attain. Proceeds will benefit Friends of Sacred Structures (FOSS.)
In 2016 Mathews published, in collaboration with noted historian Steve Noll, Kansas City: Our Collective Memories. This book presents a unique view of the history of Kansas City by taking a look at the things we collect, then telling the stories behind them and where they came from. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Missouri Valley Special Collections at the Kansas City Public Library. The book was designed by David Spaw and edited by Lynn Mackle.
In 2020 Mathews published, again in collaboration with Judith King, Mount Washington Cemetery: In Search of Lost Time. This book was designed by Sarah Meiers and edited by Anne Canfield. 42 contributing authors also participated in the project. The foreword was written by Kansas City golf legend, Tom Watson. Tom’s second great grandfather, Dr. Isaac Mariam Ridge, who was the first licensed physician in Kansas City (1840), is buried in the cemetery. 100% of the proceeds from the book are being applied toward the preservation of the historic William Rockhill Nelson Memorial Chapel, located in the heart of the cemetery.
We will be meeting in person this week at the Gallery, however a Zoom link for this meeting will be emailed to members who cannot attend in person. If you would like to visit as a guest, please email Executive Director Mandy Sheldon.
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