Faith Walker, the Great Bend Museum Director, talks about the 1796 North American Land Company map that was restored and unveiled along with an oil painting from folk artist David Homer McFarland and an 1830s map of the City of Ravenswood. These items were unveiled at a presentation about the art and science of preserving historic objects at Ravenswood Annex Tuesday night. (Photo Provided)

RAVENSWOOD — The Great Bend Museum in Ravenswood unveiled a restored historic 1796 map of Jackson County during a presentation by Jessica Keister, art conservator from Steel City Conservation, about the art and science of preserving historic objects at Ravenswood Annex Tuesday night.

In the late 1700s, property throughout Jackson County was given to veterans in lieu of payment for their service in the Revolutionary War and the French and Indian War. In 1796, the North American Land Company was actively buying and selling property within the surrounding community, so a map of the area was commissioned, according to the presentation.

The map was originally in the Daughters of the American Revolution collection. It was later given to the Historical Society, which held it until they transferred the museum to the city in 2020, and The Great Bend Museum officially opened.

“There are many important pieces in the museum, but some are so incredibly significant,” said Faith Walker, Great Bend Museum director. “This map was one of the items we had to save if possible, so our work began in earnest.”

The map will now be displayed after a thorough restoration two centuries after its creation.

Jessica Keister, Art Conservator from Steel City Conservation in Pittsburgh, restored the 1796 North American Land Company map, owned by the Great Bend Museum in Ravenswood, that shows all the known land holdings in the Great Bend region during that time. The map was unveiled during Keister’s presentation on the art and science of preserving historic objects at Ravenswood Annex Tuesday night. (Photo Provided)

Thanks to funding from the Fund for Ravenswood, the 1796 map and other documents were restored by Jessica Keister, an art conservator with Steel City Conservation in Pittsburgh. During the unveiling, Keister presented the importance of preserving historic documents and her role in restoring documents for the Great Bend Museum. A Foundation for Advancement in Conservation grant made Keister’s presentation possible.

In addition to the 18th century map, two additional historical pieces were presented to the public. One, a recently restored map of the City of Ripley, circa 1830s, was gifted to the museum by Elizabeth Monohan, a descendant of former Ripley Mayor Gay Duke, who had owned the map and lent it to the county library.

The third item is an oil painting from folk artist David Homer McFarland, renowned for his landscape scenes, specifically of Great Bend. Suzie McGinley loaned The McFarland painting to the Jackson County Library, who later gifted it to the Great Bend Museum.

“It has been amazing to see the transformation of these items that are so significant to the history of our area,” said Mayor Josh Miller. “I’m thankful to the families who entrusted these items to us and the staff who have worked so hard to preserve them for future generations.”

The painting and maps will be displayed at the museum, City Hall, and other locations.

The map, executed by hand before 1796, shows the holdings of land awarded the soldiers and officers for service in the French and Indian War, 1754-1763, land owned by Albert Gallatin and Savary de Valcoulon, the Frenchman who assisted the American Colonies during the Revolutionary War, and the vast holdings of the North American Land Company. The map was restored and presented during a presentation on the art and science of preserving historic objects at Ravenswood Annex. (Photo Provided)

The Great Bend Museum seeks to inspire curiosity, foster appreciation, and promote understanding of the region’s past, present, and future through engaging exhibits, educational programs, and community partnerships. They aim to be a trusted resource for residents and visitors alike, providing a window into the community’s unique history, identity, and contributions to the world. By celebrating shared heritage, the Great Bend Museum aims to enrich the lives of individuals, promote civic pride, and contribute to the cultural vitality and vibrancy of Ravenswood and Jackson County.

For more information on the Great Bend Museum, email Faith Walker at museum@CityofRavenswood.com.

Jessica Keister, Art Conservator from Steel City Conservation in Pittsburgh, restored the 1796 North American Land Company map, owned by the Great Bend Museum in Ravenswood, that shows all the known land holdings in the Great Bend region during that time. The map was unveiled during Keister’s presentation on the art and science of preserving historic objects at Ravenswood Annex Tuesday night. (Photo Provided)