Fair Grove Historical and Preservation Society
Why the Historical Society is here
The Fair Grove Historical and Preservation Society was created in the 1970s with the goal of preserving and restoring a grist mill located at the center of Fair Grove, Missouri. It is one of the premier attractions of its type in the region, and is a living museum depicting life at the turn of the 19th century, into the early part of the 20th century.
This mill was originally known as the Boegel & Hines mill, but after changing hands several times became known locally as Wommack Mill. As you can see from the pictures above, thanks to the can-do spirit of the entire community the mill was restored and saved.
The mill itself is located next to a small stream which usually doesn't run. Instead of attempting to build a mill pond with a very small drainage area, the decision was made to make the mill steam powered.
It that era, a mill quickly became the central business for a community and that's what happened in Fair Grove. It attracted people from the surrounding area who needed to grind grain, and trade for goods used in their daily lives.
The Heritage Reunion
The Historical Society wanted to restore the mill building for posterity. To raise money, we decided to host an annual fair which became known as the Fair Grove Heritage Reunion.
The Heritage Reunion has been held every year for over forty years on the last full weekend in September, and on those two days tens of thousands of people attend every year. There are hundreds of craft booths that are limited to handmade or original crafts or antiques.
There are also musical groups, demonstrations, a parade and many other events, and it's all free. You'll pay for parking, and there's plenty of food to buy, but you can really attend for very little money if you want.
The Historical Society also has other events. There is a Christmas Tree lighting on the first Saturday evening in December, and an old-fashioned Ice Cream Social on the third Saturday in July.
Wommack Mill is an attraction that is frequently used by photographers looking for a primitive or pastoral background. Many weddings and reunions are held annually, and you can rent and reserve the grounds for your events by filling out an application here.
You're always welcome to attend any of these events and meet the friendly people of today's Fair Grove as we celebrate our history.
Who We Are Today
Board Members: Heath Anderjaska (vice-president), Rick Stein, Mary Terry (president), Ed Carter, Leon Burrell
Officers: Chari Burrell (secretary), Debbie Clopton (treasurer)
Fair Grove Heritage Reunion 2024 Guidebook
- Thursday, Sept 26
Setting out picnic tables and benches
Move Platforms for Historical Tent
Marking & Posting for Handicap Parking
- Friday, Sept 27
Crafter Setup begins at 11 am till ?
Vendor Parking monitoring
Spread out picnic tables and benches late evening
Trash containers set out
- Saturday, Sept 28
Trolley Drivers 8 am to 5 pm
Vendor Parking Monitor 5 am
Information Booth Volunteers 8 am to 5 pm
T-Shirt Booth Volunteers 8 am to 4 pm
Corn Shelling- supervising children
Card runners for parade announcer
Jurist
Bathroom patrol, replace paper, wipe down, trash and sweep
Threshing Machine – these men would like to pass their skills onto the next generation
Money In the Straw 2 pm
Butter Making 1 pm and 2:30 pm
- Sunday, Sept 29
Trolley Drivers 8 am to 4 pm
Vendor Parking Monitor 5 am
Information Booth Volunteers 8 am to 4 pm
T-Shirt Booth Volunteers 8 am to 5 pm
Corn Shelling- supervising children
Bathroom patrol, replace paper, wipe down, trash and sweep
Threshing Machine – these men would like to pass their skills onto the next generation
Money In the Straw 2 pm
Butter Making 1 pm and 2:30 pm
Put back tables and equipment from announcer's area
Put back picnic tables and benches after 5:30
Pick up trash on streets and grounds after 5:30
- To Volunteer please call 417-759-2807, leave your name, phone #, your volunteer interest, your available time and date
- You will be contacted to confirm your time
Thank You
- We always need volunteers year-round. Please share your time and talents with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
If You Are a Crafter and Want to Have a Booth
Question | Answer |
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How can I get a booth at the Heritage Reunion? | You may apply for a booth at this link. Read the Guidelines first, and pay with PayPal or send a check to the address shown on your registration confirmation. You must submit pictures of your crafts when you apply. |
Are there still booth spaces available? | Booths are awarded to qualified vendors who have submitted an application, on a first-come first-served basis. The sooner you apply the better are your chances. We will not reserve a booth space for people who haven't applied. There is always attrition, so there are some open booths for next year, but that doesn't last forever. |
Can you detail the steps to get a booth? |
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Can I skip steps or shortcut this process just this once? | We make every attempt to be fair and equitable to all applicants. Everybody must follow the same rules. If you read the Guidelines and believe your crafts don't qualify, then you're probably right. |
Can you approve my product before I apply? | The Guidelines describe the types of crafts we want to see at the Heritage Reunion. We do not approve any crafts based on verbal descriptions over the phone. |
Can I apply by phone or text? | No, you must apply on-line or by mail. |
Is there a waiting list for a booth? | Usually there is a waiting list, beginning several weeks before the event. Being at the top of the waiting list is critical, but is on a first-come first-served basis so getting your application in early puts you closer to the top of the list. There are always vendor no-shows and at about 7 a.m. on Saturday unclaimed booth spots are allocated to those on the waiting list. You must be ready to unload, remove your vehicle and setup quickly. |
Who can I call with questions? | The most commonly asked questions are answered right here in the FAQs. After reading this, and reading the Guidelines and the Application, if you still have unanswered questions you can call 417-759-2807 and leave a message if necessary for a return call. |
How about vendor parking? | Each vendor gets one free parking spot in special vendor's lots, per booth space rented. You will be given parking passes on Friday when you check in. |
FAQ For People Attending the Heritage Reunion
Question | Answer |
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When is the Heritage Reunion? | ALWAYS the last full weekend of September. |
What are the hours? | Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
What should I know before I come? |
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Is there an ATM? | Yes, there is an ATM in the Museum east of the Mill. But really, bring cash. You won't be sorry. |
How about parking? | There are parking lots in many places in Fair Grove, and most of the lots charge a few dollars for the day. It's likely some lots will be full at times. |
When is the parade? | The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and usually runs 45-60 minutes. Bring a folding chair if you have trouble standing for very long. |
Can I be in the parade? | Probably your vehicle, group or organization will be permitted. Politicians are prohibited. |
What will be in the parade? |
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I have a car, truck or tractor that I want to show. What do I do? | Take it to the Fair Grove High School parking lot at about 9 a.m. on Saturday, where the parade assembles. There is no application necessary, nobody to call. If you've seen the parade you should know what's normal. Just show up. Please remember that the parade route is narrow and all vehicles must be operated in a safe manner to avoid accidents. |
How about handicapped parking? | Yes, there are handicapped parking areas available. |
How can I get from a distant parking lot to the event? | Trolleys are running during the event to bring you from parking to the event. The trolleys are free. |
What food is available? | Since the food vendors change every year, this is a difficult question to answer. There will be food booths and there will be a variety, and they are scattered throughout the grounds, which cover a large area. We try to have a wide variety of different types of food. |
Are there medical facilities? | There is a medical tent. Most emergency medical events in the past have been in the nature of heat exhaustion and dehydration, regardless of age and gender. Be sure to take frequent breaks and drink water. The Heritage Reunion takes place on a hill and hiking up and down that hill a few times will exhaust many people. We want your experience to be enjoyable and safe. |
Are pets allowed? | Yes, well-behaved dogs are allowed and there will be many there. Make sure your dog knows how to behave in a busy public environment. Do not bring female dogs that are in season. Provide a way to water your dog, as they may be exhausted by the heat and stressed by the crowd. |
Do I have to buy a ticket to come to the Heritage Reunion? | No, the event is free to all. Parking is available for a charge. |
Other FAQs We Have Answered
Question | Answer |
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Can the Mill be rented? | The grounds surrounding the Mill can be rented and reserved for your event, year round. It is a very inexpensive, popular and picturesque location for weddings, family reunions, corporate team-building and similar events. On this website click the Application menu. |
Are Historical Society meetings open to all? | Yes, your attendance and participation are welcome. The Fair Grove Historical and Preservation Society is a 501(c)(3) corporation. Monthly meetings are held at the Fair Grove Fire Station on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. There are rare exceptions but that is the normal schedule. |
Do you have a Facebook page? | This is a link to our Facebook page. |
Can I donate to the Historical Society? | At the bottom of the page on this website is a link to make a donation. |
How can I help? | This is an entirely volunteer organization and we always need help. The grounds are large and most of the buildings and facilities are old, even though they're mostly in good shape. We have a work day on the third Saturday morning every month. Meet at the Mill at about 9 a.m., wear old clothes and bring work gloves and tools. Stay as long as you can, but most of these work days only last for a couple of hours. |
I live in Fair Grove. Who gives the Historical Society the right to close Main Street? | The Fair Grove Board of Aldermen passes an ordinance every year that specifically grants the Historical Society the power to close Main Street to through traffic. There are alternate routes available. Remember, every member of the Historical Society is a volunteer who also lives in the community and we make every reasonable attempt to inconvenience Fair Grove residents as little as possible. Every civic organization and retail business in town derives a substantial amount of their annual income from the Heritage Reunion, and the City derives sales tax revenue from every sale. |