A new bicentennial program is underway to encourage individuals, families and groups to travel the state and participate in fun challenges and learn more about Missouri.
Participants in the Missouri Explorers Program will receive a button upon registration and a list of challenges to earn additional merit badge buttons. To achieve the merit buttons, participants will be asked to submit a photo of each stop in their challenge. Participants can also share their photos on social media using the hashtag #moexplorers.
Challenges in the program include the German Heritage Corridor; Native American Heritage; Travel the Mother Road, Route 66; Get your Kicks in St. Louis; Historic Gems of St. Louis showcasing civic treasures and historic sites; A Walk Through Time: Missouri Cemeteries; The Way of American Genius exploring innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders who helped shape American history, culture and life.
“We have a growing list of challenges that would allow Missourians to either travel across the state or explore a little closer to home and, hopefully, come away with a better understanding of Missouri’s diversity and unique cultural and historical places and people,” said Michael Sweeney, coordinator for Missouri’s bicentennial.
The Missouri Explorers Program is open to anyone who is interested in traveling and learning more about the geographic and cultural diversity of the state. The program is free, but registration is required to receive merit buttons. Guides to each challenge is listed on the missouri2021.org website under Missouri Explorers. Also, if organizations are interested in sponsoring a new challenge, they can inquire about the program by sending email to contact@missouri2021.org.
If people wanted to be their own Missouri Explorers in Perry County they would definitely want to visit the Tower Rock Natural Area,” said Trish Erzfeld, director of Perry County Heritage Tourism. “Tower Rock has been recorded by some of our earliest explorers such Lewis and Clark, Ulysses S. Grant and Mark Twain. Take a guided tour or just stroll the grounds at The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Their history dates back to 1818 shortly before we even became a state or county. You can book a unique history trip with a guided tour of the Perry County Courthouse built in 1904 or the oldest residential home in Perryville, the Faherty House. The Saxon Lutheran Memorial, the Die Kleine Schule (the little school) and the Lutheran Heritage Center & Museum can take you back to our German roots in 1839. Perry County is has deep roots, rich history and many great places to explore.”
Additional information about Perry County tourism spots can be found at visitperrycounty.com.
Missouri 2021 is a statewide initiative of the State Historical Society of Missouri to promote a better understanding of Missouri and its regions, communities and people. To view the photos of Perry County locations already submitted, go to missouri2021.org/perry/#.
