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NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 10, 2011

"Forget Not These Days:" Tales from the Civil War in Missouri

LEE’S SUMMIT, MO — A unique theatrical experience focusing on the Civil War in this area, “Forget Not These Days: Tales from the Civil War,” will be presented to the community at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at the Lee’s Summit North Performing Arts Center. Students from area high schools will participate in this reader’s theatre event by telling the stories of the Civil War and Border War, in conjunction with the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, which began 150 years ago on April 12, 1861.

First-hand accounts will be related to the audience through a “speak chorus” reader’s theatre format. The stories of individuals with ties to this area, including the Cole Younger family, Dr. Pleasant Lea and William Quantrill, will be told. The event also will feature re-enactors, Civil War-era music and historic items on display.
The Lone Jack Historical Society, Lee’s Summit Historical Society, Lee’s Summit Historic Preservation Commission and City of Lee’s Summit collaborated to create this community performance.

“Nearly 150 years ago, Lee’s Summit was called Big Cedar. The flames of the Border War raged as homes were burned and the lives of the local families were changed forever,” said Kathy Smith, chair of the Lee’s Summit Historic Preservation Commission. “Confederate and Union forces chased each other from farm to farm.”

Smith said during the Civil War, far western Missouri, including Jackson County, was called “The Burnt District” because all of the homes and farm structures had been burned.
“We want to make sure that the stories of this times are not forgotten,” she said, “Hopefully, the lessons of war will keep us from letting this happen again."

Tickets for “Forget Not These Days” are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 12 and younger/ Tickets can be purchased the day of the event at the door.
For more information about “Forget Not These Days,” contact
Kathy Smith
Chair of the Lee’s Summit Historic Preservation Commission
816-935-8853
City of Lee’s Summit 969-1000

MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA
For high-resolution photographs to accompany this news release or to cover this event, call Kathy Smith at 816-935-8853.

(Image Above: Downtown Lee's Summit Parade, c. 1938).