Officials with the Ozarks Heritage Research Center (OHRC) at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) will host a presentation about 19th century geographer and explorer Henry Rowe Schoolcraft at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, at the OHRC.

The center is located inside MSU-WP’s Garnett Library, 304 W. Trish Knight St.

About Schoolcraft

Born in New York in 1793, Schoolcraft’s interest in geology and mineralogy eventually led him west to explore the frontier. In 1818 and 1819, he and a companion, Levi Pettibone, explored the Missouri and Arkansas Ozarks to survey the geography, geology and mineralogy of the region.

Their findings led to the publication of his books “A View of the Lead Mines of Missouri” and “Journal of a Tour into the Interior of Missouri and Arkansaw,” the first written account of a European-American exploration of the Ozarks.

About the presenter

Dr. Rick Mansfield, Ellington, will give the presentation on Schoolcraft. Mansfield is a retired educator, volunteer preacher, syndicated columnist, author and local historian who does first person historical presentations to help bring our history alive, organizers said. One of those presentations is of Schoolcraft.

As founder of the Ozark Heritage project, Mansfield has been instrumental in the removal of literally tons of debris from Missouri streams and watersheds every year. His weekly column, “Reflections from the Road,” is found in local papers across the Ozarks and also can be viewed on his Rick Mansfield Facebook page, Facebook.com/Rick.Mansfield.96.

Mansfield has numerous books available on Amazon and at various local retailers. He also will have copies of some of his books available at the July 16 presentation, organizers said.

He and his wife, Judy, live on a small organic farm outside Ellington.

The presentation is free and open to all. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information about the event, contact Rebekah McKinney at 417-255-7949 or RebekahMcKinney@MissouriState.edu.