Fourth graders learn about Sikeston history

Carolyn Harris talks to fourth graders about Sikeston history during the annual 4th Grade Historical Interpretive Tour on the history of Sikeston at the Sikeston Depot Museum & Cultural Center on Wednesday morning. The program coincides with the fourth graders study of the history of the State of Missouri which is currently being studied in all fourth classes in Sikeston. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

SIKESTON — Sikeston fourth graders are learning about local history during the annual Fourth Grade Historical Interpretive Tour held at the Sikeston Depot Museum and Cultural Center.

In conjunction with the Elementary division of the Sikeston Public and Private Schools, the Missouri Arts Council and the Sikeston Depot Museum and Cultural Center fourth graders are taking part in an educational program featuring the history of Sikeston.

The program coincides with the fourth graders study of the history of the State of Missouri and offers an additional dimension to the study, while giving students new insights into their community.

To make the study “come alive”, enactors in period costumes portray key people and events that helped settle the City of Sikeston as well as the surrounding area. Materials were supplied to teachers and students to review before their visit.

The program impacts approximately 300 students and their teachers, both public and private, currently in the Sikeston R-6 school district. This is the fourth year the Sikeston Depot Museum and Cultural Center has presented the program as an outreach and enrichment to the community.

The SCDC Board, made up of Dr. Larry Bohannon, Dr. Sharon Gunn, Janice Matthews and Connie Thompson coordinate the program while the enactors are: Lloyd Smith (woodsman), Lewis Watkins (farmer), Jeremiah Dunmeyer (indian), Lee Brown (John Sikeston), Dorothy Dean Brown (Catherine Sikes), Rick Sherman (World War II veteran), Carolyn Harris and Sondra Meadows (community room spokespersons).

The program concluded Thursday.