Henderson connects past, present through love of books

By Jessica Breger Special to the Monett Monthly

The Monett Historical Society invites children to spring into reading this April by visiting “Betty’s Story Room” in the Monett Historical Museum. 

Located on the top floor of Monett Historical Museum is a small room that holds worlds of adventures for the youngest of Monett-area residents. 

Betty Henderson spent her life in the Monett area, where she fell in love with words and where she decided to share that love with others. 

The story room is a place that allowed Henderson to connect Monett’s past and present through her love of books. 

A display greets visitors at the door showcasing bookmarks of the past from the old library in Monett. Showing how the library would help children celebrate reading with art. 

The room displays furniture and books from her own family, Monett schools and the early library in Monett. All pieces were chosen by Henderson to celebrate both books and the city of Monett.

Every item in the room holds history. A small wooden chair (circa 1960) displaying books came from the Kindergarten classroom of Mrs. Delores Stewart. 

“Practically every child grew up with her,” Henderson said. 

Stewart taught Monett children for over 33 years and was widely loved. 

Henderson recounted that as a child, she would ride her bike to the library to stock up on new stories and share her love for reading with the librarian Erma Grey. 

Henderson noted how the encouragement she received from the adults in her life compelled her further to explore her passion for stories and to share her passion. 

In the story room, a photo sits on a shelf showing a smiling Henderson surrounded by children watching her flip through the pages of the story they were being told under a shade tree. 

As a child, Henderson would often disappear for hours, hidden away with her books. As she grew older, Henderson would make a habit of reading to children all over town.

Tucked away under shade trees, the children would gather to listen to Henderson read. Now Henderson said she still reads to children, at least at Christmas time. 

During the holiday season children come to the museum and gather for a Christmas story. While Henderson said this is the only scheduled reading of the year, she is happy to read to children who come to visit when she is at the Museum.

Betty’s Story Room is set up for children to be able to enjoy the books, whether she is reading to them, or they want to explore by themselves. 

The room not only has shelves full of classic children’s literature, but it is also donned with figurines, dolls, and displays that bring the stories to life.

Children of all ages are encouraged to explore and fall in love with a story, whether it be one of the fiction books on the shelves or a story of Monett’s past displayed around the room.

The Museum is open five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.