Storyteller at Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site

Sarah Poff, right, a storyteller featured Saturday at the Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site in New Madrid, discusses her hat with Dustin Colbert as youngsters check out her array of artifacts. Poff talked about the importance of trading during the early years of settlement of the Louisiana Purchase and of the United States. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Soryteller Sarah Poff recalled the early explorers who traveled the Mississippi River as well as trappers and tradersl.. Poff, who was a guest speaker at the Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site on Saturday, said it was the beaver hats that were popular among the English gentlemen that brought people into the region.(Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Sarah Poff, a storyteller hosted by the Hunter-Dawson Statte Historic Site on Saturday, talks about the early settlement of the Louisiana Purchase and in particular Southeast Missouri. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Colten Eddy, Adelien Eddy and Hollis Eddy seated on his father, Daniel's lap, listen as storyteller Sarah Poff tell them about the early explorers who traveled the Mississippi River. Poff was a guest speaker at the Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site on Saturday. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Storyteller Sarah Poff prepares to show some early coins to Dustin Colbert and his daughter, Dixie Shae, and Adeliene and Hollis Eddy. Poff was a guest speaker at the Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site on Saturday. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)