Century Farm owners who gathered to share the history of their family’s farm at the Holt County Historical Society program (pictured above, left to right) were: front row – Jo Derr, Laura Prettyman, and Lois Derr; back row – M.C. Derr, Clenell Prettyman, Judy and Don Scheib, Joan Smith, Susan and Rick Lentz, Sandy Dozier, and Nancy Peters and Andrew Peters.

The fellowship hall at the Holt County Historical Society’s Methodist Church Museum in Fortescue was filled on Sunday afternoon August 7, as Cindy Kenny, Maitland, Missouri, highlighted the history of several Holt County Century Farms. A slide presentation, along with several Century Farm owners sharing their histories, made for an enjoyable afternoon history lesson for the 33 in attendance. Land that has been passed down through the same family for over 100 years is eligible for Century Farm recognition and several attending had received that honor. Kenny and her sister, Fran Harbin, Maryville, Missouri, had taken many photos. Gerry Patterson, Mound City, Missouri, and Bill Medsker, Graham, Missouri, assisted with the presentation.
Society president Sally Waggoner announced the society will be publishing a cookbook, “Celebrating 175 Years of Holt County Cooking 1841-2016” with the theme “Let’s Put Holt County History On The Dinner Table.” Following the program those in attendance enjoyed seeing the many displays throughout the museum that tell the history of Holt County.