Next week, Missouri Southern State University in Joplin will welcome the executive director of the State Historical Society of Missouri. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

Dr. Gary Kremer will speak about his book published last November, titled “This Place of Promise: A Historian’s Perspective on 200 Years of Missouri History.” Its publication was tied to the bicentennial celebration of Missouri’s statehood last year and includes personal perspectives from a native son and what it means to be a Missourian.

Kremer is a fifth-generation resident who has written, co-authored and co-edited a dozen books. He previously taught history at Lincoln University in Jefferson City and later at William Woods and served as state archivist from 1987-91.

Kremer also led statewide efforts last year to commemorate the bicentennial through various events. He became executive director of the State Historical Society of Missouri in 2004.

Dr. Kremer will speak next Thursday, October 6, at Webster Hall’s Corley Auditorium at Missouri Southern State University. The presentation starts at 7 pm. Admission to the presentation is free and open to the public.