The National Stars and Stripes Museum/Library in Bloomfield is included among the featured stops in two tourism promotions being held this year.
The Motorcycle Tour of Honor is a national event to raise funds for select veterans’ charities; while the Civil War Passport Program, held in conjunction with Missouri’s upcoming bicentennial, focuses on historically significant Missouri battle sites.
“Stars and Stripes is one of only seven Missouri sites chosen for the Honor Tour,” observes Sue Mayo, librarian at the museum/library. “The fundraiser began April 1 and will continue throughout the rest of the year.”
According to the official site tourofhonor.com, the self-guided ride focuses on memorials and monuments throughout the continental U.S., as well as Alaska and Hawaii. A portion of each entry fee will be donated to Fisher House Foundation, Operation Comfort Warriors, or Police and Fire: The Fallen Heroes. After expenses, all profits will be divided equally among the three charities.
“The riders don’t have to come inside our facility,” explains Mayo, “but we certainly hope they will. We would love to have them sign our guest book and take a tour.”
To verify their visit to the various locations, riders must take a photo of their bike in front of the designated memorial, Mayo adds.
“I think it was set up like that,” Mayo observes, “because the riders may be traveling outside the normal business hours of operation. It would be almost impossible for them to reach every site if they had to go inside and get proof they had visited.”
Mayo says that since the tour began last month, riders from Rhode Island and Mississippi, as well as several from Missouri have registered and visited the Stars and Stripes.
The Civil War Passport Program is an effort to bring attention to Missouri’s Civil War history. The program is detailed at mo-passport.org, and according to Mayo, requires that visitors obtain verification from each facility. There are 40 sites listed; however, 12 of them share stamps.
“Participants may purchase passport books for $10 from any of the designated sites, including Stars and Stripes,” explains Mayo. “Each site has a stamp that will be used to stamp the book/passport as proof of the visit.”
Mayo goes on to say that, as with the Tour of Honor, the staff hopes that visitors will take time to tour the museum/library.
“Along with the passport,” Mayo explains, “visitors will receive a self-guided driving tour brochure that will direct them to Bloomfield’s historical markers and Confederate Cemetery.”
Mayo adds that Granny Pickers located at 801 Highway 25 North, is an alternative stamp site if the Stars and Stripes is closed.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.