Carthage museum sparks interest in local artifacts through digital archives

Instead of just storing artifacts in glass cases, the Powers Museum of Carthage is working to bring the town’s history to the 21st century through digital archives and walking tours.

The digital project originally began in 2017 after the Powers Museum displayed an exhibit in celebration of Carthage’s 175th anniversary. The exhibit featured over 140 historic artifacts to highlight the town’s rich history. Many of the artifacts were donated by the community.

The anniversary display was divided into six categories: small business and retail, industry, agriculture, professional and medical, education, and government.

The Missouri Arts and Humanities Council, in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Humanities, awarded the museum a $2,000 grant in 2017 to begin a series of community engagement programs that coincide with the anniversary exhibit.