Event commemorates 175th anniversary of Lohman's Landing

Kathleen Boswell leads a weaving presentation on an authentic 1850s loom at the Lohman's Landing anniversary picnic in Jefferson City on Saturday.
Kathleen Boswell leads a weaving presentation on an authentic 1850s loom at the Lohman's Landing anniversary picnic in Jefferson City on Saturday.

Saturday was proclaimed Lohman's Landing day in honor of the 175th anniversary of the Jefferson City site.

To help celebrate the day, there was an 1850s-themed picnic held on the south lawn of the Lohman Building. The building, a city-designated Landmark, is a rare survivor from the Missouri River's steamboat era, 1820-65. A part of the Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, the building also has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Charles Cunningham, Kim Davis, Elisha Ramer and Natalie Griffin

The event included live music and dancing, rope-making and loom demonstrations, and a variety of 19th century games for children to enjoy. It also included an old-fashioned cake contest and potato sack races.

Linda Endersby, director of the Missouri State Museum, said the event went well, with a variety of children and adults attending throughout the day. She said it all began with Jefferson City officials kicking it off by issuing a proclamation declaring it Lohman's Landing day.

"It's a way to get people down here to celebrate the building," Endersby said of the event.

She said many people were entering cakes for the old-fashioned cake contest. She said some people had old recipes passed down from relatives to make a truly authentic 19th century cake. When asked what makes a 19th century cake different from modern cakes, Endersby said it really comes down to measurements, which were not quite precise like in today's recipes.

Janet Thompson spent some time at Lohman's Landing for the event with her 13-year-old and 11-year-old daughters. Thompson said they initially were unaware of the anniversary and had come to Jefferson City to tour the Capitol building.

"It's really nice," Thompson said. "I'm pleasantly surprised."

Thompson and her daughters are from Texas and came to the area to visit relatives in Columbia. Thompson said her daughters played the 19th century games and enjoyed observing the loom and the demonstration of rope making.

"It's nice to see some of these things we've heard about in action," Thompson said.

Michelle and Dan Hancock decided to come down to enjoy the beautiful day and learn about the city's history.

"It's a neat little exhibition," Dan Hancock said.

The two participated in making a rope, which Dan found surprisingly difficult. "I never would have thought that's how it was done," he said.

Michelle said she particularly enjoyed the video display of the history of the city.

Ronda Credille visited the picnic with her daughter, Jennifer Kaylor, son-in-law, Brian Kaylor, and grandson, 2-year-old Kagan Kaylor. Brian and Kagan also partook in the rope making demonstration.

"He got right into it," Credille said of her grandson.