Crisp Museum welcomes community to see Cape Girardeau history at Heritage Days

Historic Preservation graduate student Randy Greeves demonstrates a working steam engine, showing how the steam pushes the piston to move the flywheel. This Stanley Steamer engine came out of a derby car more than 100 years ago and is still in usable condition today. (Photo by April Styer)

Crisp Museum volunteer Catlyn Brady sews quilt squares, which will be used to create a community quilt project. The quilt will be auctioned off, and the proceeds will go toward the maintenance of the museum. Brady, a Maryville, Mo., native, said she has been interested in the history of Cape Girardeau, so when the Crisp Museum needed volunteers for Heritage Days, she stepped up to help. "I'm actually new to the area," Brady said. "This is my first Heritage Days that I have gotten to work." (Photo by April Styer)

Junior art major Rebecca Byington explains to a museum visitor the intricate details of creating and sewing one of the quilts on display. Among the Heritage Day exhibits were numerous quilts donated to the museum. Each quilt displays fine details of stitches, embroidery and pieces of fabric to showcase the hard work put into making them. (Photo by April Styer)

An ancient technique of candle dipping dating back to Roman times was presented to the visitors during Heritage Days. Using this method, two candles are dipped in hot wax, then cooled in cold water. The process is repeated until the candle is at the desired thickness. Candles were eventually replaced by kerosene and lamps, which made the candle business decline over the years.  (Photo by April Styer)

Musical theater junior Olivia Wheeler admires one of the wooden replica boats inside the Crisp Museum."I am here with my best friends from out-of-state, and I wanted to show them a little bit of Missouri's history," Wheeler said. "The museum is a great place to educate them and all the cool artifacts on display." Multiple glass-enclosed model ships were part of the exhibits, showcasing Cape Girardeau's Mississippi River connections. (Photo by April Styer)

Heritage Days also showcased military items, which included World War II helmets and caps. Many of the patriotic pieces were donated by area veterans and their families. (Photo by April Styer)

United States Army Field uniforms worn in the 1940s during World War II. (Photo by April Styer)

Music major Samantha Keller serenades visitors at the River Campus by playing Irish and Scottish tunes throughout the afternoon. (Photo by April Styer)

A Native American statue is on display inside Crisp Museum along with many artifacts and tools used by native Americans. (Photo by April Styer)