Big Muddy Speaker Series

July 11, 2023

Tale of Two Rivers: Contrasting Development and Conservation on the Upper Mississippi and Lower Missouri Rivers

Hydrologist Robb Jacobson discusses the engineering of both Mississippi and Missouri Rivers and their differences.

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June 13, 2023

Six Generations of Williamsons in the McBaine River Bottom: Home of the Bur Oak

Presentation by John Sam Williamson

John Williamson shares the history of his family in the McBaine River Bottom and their connection with the famous Bur Oak.

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May 9, 2023

The Shared Story of German Immigrants and African Americans in Missouri

Within the social and political context of nineteenth-century Missouri, German specialist Sydney Norton and sociologist Cecilia Nadal examine the contributions of German immigrants who dedicated their lives to ending slavery, and who, in some cases, worked with African Americans to institute laws of social equality after slavery was abolished.

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August 9, 2022

The Clean Water Act is 50! Let’s Make it Even Better

Presentation by Missouri Confluence Waterkeeper Rachel Bartels and Great Rivers Environmental Law Center Staff Attorney Bob Menees

Rachel Bartels and and Bob Menees of Missouri Confluence Waterkeeper share the history of the Clean Water Act.

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June 14, 2022

Art and History: The Journey of a Missouri New Regionalist

Presentation by Artist Bryan Haynes

Join artist Bryan Haynes for a discussion about his works and the formation of the Missouri New Regionalism art movement.

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February 8, 2022

Steamboat Disasters of the Lower Missouri River

Online Presentation by Historian and Author James Erwin

February 8th we were joined by author James Erwin to discuss the impressive engineering and fragile nature of steamboat travel on the Lower Missouri River.

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July 14, 2020

Up & Down the Big Muddy – A History of Paddling on the Missouri River

Presentation by Norm Miller, adventurer and host of Missouri River Paddlers

Norm Miller will share the stories of many Missouri River paddler expeditions through history.

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June 9, 2020

The People of the River’s Mouth – In Search of the Missouria Indians

Presentation by Mike Dickey, Historian and Site Administrator at Arrow Rock State Historic Site Original Presentation was Tuesday, June 9, 2020 Hosted by Missouri River Relief  Live Streaming sponsored by Rivermiles Watch this presentation on YouTube Few people know that the Missouri River, and the state named after it, were actually named for a tribe of Native Americans that […]

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April 14, 2020

Meet Your Big Muddy – A Missouri River Primer

Online Presentation by Steve Schnarr, Missouri River Relief

Steve provided an overview of the history of the Missouri River in this livestreamed presentation.

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February 25, 2020

The Control of the Missouri: Ideker and the Fight for the Floodplain

Presentation by Robert Langellier, freelance journalist

Robert Langellier will share his research into the science, policy, facts and people behind the Ideker Lawsuit. In this 2014 lawsuit, a federal judge ruled that some recent flooding along the Missouri River is due to U.S. Corps of Engineers management and the Corps can be held liable for some damages. The lawsuit has become an important factor in the response to the 2019 flood.

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