Missouri Preservation Holds First "Show Me Social" in Excelsior Springs

Missouri Preservation holds a Show Me Social at The Atlas Saloon in Excelsior Springs.
*Photo: Melinda Mehaffy*

Missouri Preservation is not new to Excelsior Springs. In fact, they’ve been working in partnership with the City of Excelsior Springs and the Excelsior Springs Historic Preservation Commission on a number of different projects in the City, primarily trying to help save the Hall of Waters. They’ve held their state convention in town at The Elms Hotel & Spa in recent past and just this weekend launched their newest endeavor “Show Me Social” here.

Show Me Social is Missouri Preservation’s newly established traveling event series that was kicked off Friday, September 9, 2022 in downtown Excelsior Springs at the Atlas Saloon for a Happy Hour. The purpose of the Show Me Social program is to feature and show support to smaller communities across the show me state which reaching new audiences and spreading the word about Missouri Preservation and the importance of historic preservation.

Riley Price, Executive Director of Missouri Preservation giving presentation at Mid-Continent Public Library Excelsior Springs branch. *Photo: Courtney Cole*

Saturday morning, Riley Price, Executive Director of Missouri Preservation, gave a presentation at the Mid-Continent Public Library Excelsior Springs Branch on the annual awards that are presented every year at the Capitol in Jefferson City. This year, the organization recognized local citizens Kevin and Sonya Morgan by awarding them a McReynolds Award. This award is presented to those with ongoing preservation efforts and have been given to 65 awardees since 1976. It is named for Elizabeth Rozier, her maiden name was McReynolds. It is given to a group or individual to encourage ongoing preservation work or to someone(s) who has made significant achievements in the field. The first McReynolds Awards were given in 2000. On April 19, 2022, Missouri Preservation formally presented this award to to the Morgans, along with Resolutions from both the House and Senate, given by State Representative Doug Richey.

Kevin and Sonya Morgan being presented a Missouri Preservation award and two State Resolutions presented by State Representative Doug Richey. *Photo: Courtney Cole*

On the Missouri Preservation website they offer the reason the Morgans were honored by saying, “Sonya and Kevin Morgan are long-time residents of Excelsior Springs, Missouri who have a passion for historic preservation. They live in the Boarding House Historic District near the downtown area and are familiar faces at every city and downtown event. As volunteers, they have spent countless hours attending meetings, researching projects, sharing their knowledge, and working with others to improve their community. Kevin can often be found behind his camera, documenting downtown events as well as capturing the history and spirit of Excelsior Springs. His photography has not only assisted in documenting the development in the downtown, but also documenting the pre-history of the area including archaeological excavations at Regent Spring. Sonya served on the Historic Preservation Commission for over 20 years and now, as Mayor Pro-tem of the city council, serves as a council liaison to the commission. Sonya has served on a number of committees related to preservation issues in Excelsior Springs, including efforts to save the Hall of Waters which was listed as one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Most Endangered in 2020. Both Kevin and Sonya currently serve together on the Friends of the Wells committee, hoping to make the mineral water that is responsible for the development of Excelsior Springs available to visitors of the Hall of Waters building. The countless hours Sonya and Kevin Morgan have spent giving back to their community have helped ensure that the history of Excelsior Spring will be around for generations to come. Missouri Preservation commends the work of Sonya and Kevin Morgan as tireless advocates for their community and for preservation.”