Kellerman Foundation for Historic Preservation

It’s getting closer....

This is a painting by M. Charles Rhinehart that Bert and I are buying. We committed to it right after Charles passed away. We haven’t brought it home yet, but I took some close up photographs of it when we met with Lavetta on Tuesday. Can you believe the detail that is in the stones, moss, leaves, pebbles, etc???? Charles was a master of detail. What an immense amount of patience he had to create such intricate detail. The piece is nearly 4 by 6 feet in size. There are hundreds of tiny details in every inch. He was truly an incredible artist. I’m forever surprised and delighted as I study his magnificent creations.

We just picked up some more Rhinehart pieces from Lavetta Rhinehart. She has one of our earlier purchases of Charles’s work on her easel. It was damaged by one of our workers back in 2018, and Charles had agreed to repair it. We never made it happen!! Each time that we were in Ste. Genevieve we were going out to eat or visiting at their home. The time slipped away. I’m SO glad that Lavetta has agreed to do it for us. Yet....I’m so glad we had all those times together. Treasure those moments with good friends.

We are beginning the necessary changes in the Fountain House to accommodate the Rhinehart Collection and its activities. A lot of our furnishings will have to change to make space. It’s going to get worse before it gets better. Interesting times!!

We have an amazing announcement!!!

Dr.Nickell and Jerry Ford were also featured in the TBY magazine. Their first edition of their book has already sold out!!! It’s a wonderful story of an amazing man who grew up right here in Cape girardeau!!

Many thanks to Sharon Sanders for this article in TBY magazine. It shows the massive size of the propellers worked on by Missouri Drydock.

Dr Wangari Maathai was the first woman from the African Continent to Win a Nobel Prize. She lead the movement for reforestation in her Country and Globally. M...illions of trees planted under her leadership. Wangari was also a Women/Girls Human Rights Activist . Wonderful example of Activism . See more

I’m old enough to remember the lack of opportunities available to women. When I was in graduate school working on my PhD, there were only 3 women in the program’s statistic classes. They thought we didn’t belong there......and said so. It was 19691974. Times have certainly changed.

Wow!! While we were gone to Florida for six weeks, our flag told the world that we were out of town. I’m so sorry. Robbie Spurlock and Nicolette Brennan cont...acted us today to alert us of the problem. Pete Poe came to our rescue. He is a local treasure. Bert had a medical emergency right before we left....and we have tried to regain a sense of calm. He seems to have recovered, but it makes one reevaluate life’s circumstances. See more

Rob Erlbacher stopped by Heritage Hall this week to lend some guidance in our forthcoming exhibit on Missouri Drydock and Missouri Bargeline. He agreed to make a few remarks at our opening reception. Great news.

This is Charles Rhinehart’s painting titled Summer Rain. It is included in the Missouri Art Now Bicentennial Exhibit that will travel the state in 2021. His wife, Lavetta Rhinehart joined us for the opening reception. You can see it at the Arts Council’s gallery. Check it out.

A painting from M. Charles Rhinehart is in the Missouri Art Now Bicentennial exhibit. It will travel the state as one of Missouri’s 60 important artists. Our foundation submitted three pieces for consideration, and the one titled Summer Rain was chosen. We are elated!!!! Hope to see everyone at the opening Friday night at the Arts Council.