Bicentennial Celebration

Rocheport celebrated its bicentennial in 2025 with a number of special events

April 6

The Friends of Rocheport general meeting and carry-in dinner featured a program on the Osage Nation by Dr. Brad Lookingbil, Columbia College distinguished professor

May 10 – Founder’s Day Celebration

  • Dedication of the peace pole monument with the inscription “Let peace prevail on earth,” in Osage, French, German and English; sponsored by the Rocheport Rotary Club and Katy Trail State Park with support from Boone County Community Trust and in partnership with the Friends of Rocheport and the City of Rocheport
  • Celebration of exterior preservation of the Museum.
  • Introduction of the museum mural artist, Joe Schlottach
  • Ribbon cutting for the timber frame pergola and sails at Barth Garden ($4,000 donation from Boone County Community Trust); dedication of bench in honor of Inez Hickam, former Friends board member, donated by family members Mary Snyder, Linda Hickam and Albert Taylor

June 14

In conjunction with the 35th anniversary of the Katy Trail, the Friends of Historic Rocheport along with the Katy Trail State Park and Edward Jones Investments inducted Ted and Pat Jones into the Rocheport Hall of Fame in honor of their vision of the Katy Trail.

September 20

Dedication of the Friends of Rocheport Museum mural on the south exterior wall was broadcast live on KOPN radio with entertainment by Meredith Shaw and the Borrowed Band

Rocheport was added to the new George Caleb Bingham Trail that includes New Franklin, Arrow Rock, Glasgow, Fayette, and Boonville.

November 28

Friends of Rocheport, with support from the City of Rocheport, the Rocheport Merchant’s Association and Rotary, installed holiday lighting on Central Street buildings illuminated in conjunction with the annual Barth Garden tree lighting.

 

These projects were made possible by generous donations from:

    • Boone County Community Trust – $4,000 for pergola construction in Barth Garden
    • 2025   Boone Electric Trust – $12,000 for restoration of the Museum exterior
    • 2025   Missouri Arts Council – $4,000 for the Museum mural
    • 2025   Missouri Humanities Council – $4,900 to support the Historic Walking Tour
    • 2026   Private Donation from Brenda Rapp West – $10,000 for restoration of Museum interior
    • 2026   Stafford Family Trust – $5,100 for restoration of Museum interior

© Friends of Rocheport • P. O. Box 122 • Rocheport, MO 65279