On Thursday, September 2nd, the Bates County Museum will host their Annual Heritage Dinner Fundraiser with a free will offering dinner being served at 6:00 pm followed by a program titled, “Missiles in Our Midst: The Cold War Comes to Bates County.” Featured speakers are Congressman Ike Skelton, Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, and State Representative Barney Fisher, Retired United States Marine Corp Pilot. The Museum will also present a new exhibit that will tell the story of this extraordinary era in our history.
The year was 1961. America was in the midst of the Cold War with the Soviet Union. Protecting the nation was top priority and citizens of Bates County were called upon to do their part. Local farmers were contacted and told that Minuteman Missile Silos were going to be built in Bates County. Miles of buried cable crisscrossed the countryside connecting 15 silos and 2 launch control centers. The missile silos became part of the landscape for over forty years until they were removed in the mid-1990s.
The public is invited to attend this special event. Proceeds from the free will offering dinner will go to support of the Museum’s mission of preserving the rich history of Bates County. The Museum is located at 802 Elks Drive, Butler, MO. For further information contact Peggy Buhr at the Museum. 660-679-0134
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