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Image for event: America 250

America 250

with Dr. Mark Neels, Guest Speaker
2026-06-26 19:00:00 2026-06-26 20:00:00 America/Chicago America 250 Join us at the library for Son of Virginia, Father of Missouri: The Political Battles of Edward Bates, Lincoln’s Attorney General, a fascinating talk with historian Dr. Mark Neels. Main Branch -

Friday, June 26
7:00pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-06-26 19:00:00 2026-06-26 20:00:00 America/Chicago America 250 Join us at the library for Son of Virginia, Father of Missouri: The Political Battles of Edward Bates, Lincoln’s Attorney General, a fascinating talk with historian Dr. Mark Neels. Main Branch -

Join us at the library for Son of Virginia, Father of Missouri: The Political Battles of Edward Bates, Lincoln’s Attorney General, a fascinating talk with historian Dr. Mark Neels.

In conjunction with the release of a new biography of Edward Bates, Dr. Neels explores Bates’s conservative political philosophy—shaped by his Virginia roots and his role as a founding figure in Missouri—and how those values influenced his work as a key advisor to President Abraham Lincoln during one of the most pivotal eras in American history.

This program brought to you by the Missouri Humanities Council. Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Missouri Humanities or the Poplar Bluff Library.

About Dr. Neels
Dr. Mark A. Neels holds a Doctorate in history from Southern Illinois University, a Master of Arts in History from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Missouri State University. He is the author of “Lincoln’s Conservative Advisor: Attorney General Edward Bates,” published with SIU Press in November 2024, and has written and spoken on subjects related to the American Civil War, the American Presidency, and Missouri History. He is the recipient of the 2017 Hay-Nicolay Dissertation Prize, has previously served as a research associate with the Papers of Abraham Lincoln, and currently teaches at Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis.

AGE GROUP: | Adult (18+) |

EVENT TYPE: | Speaker or Panel |

TAGS: | |

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Upcoming events

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Stars and Stripes Exhibit - Exhibit Dates: May 1 - June 30
Mon, Jun 01, All day
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Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by delving into the Civil War era through this exhibit from the Stars and Stripes Museum.
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Mon, Jun 01, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
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The Library Board of Trustees will meet at 5:30 p.m. A call-in option is offered for those who prefer to participate remotely. For more information, please visit poplarbluff.org/board.
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Tue, Jun 02, 10:30am - 11:30am
Main Branch - Theater
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Creativity Corner – Magical Realism - Teen Event
Tue, Jun 02, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Main Branch - Theater
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New date Thursday, June 25, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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Chess Club
Thu, Jun 04, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
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Join us every Thursday at the Main Branch from 4:30-6:30pm for Chess Club! All ages and skill levels welcome. Chessboards will be provided.
The Maker's Circle - En plein air Garden Watercolor
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Vickie Glassman Exhibit - Artist's Reception
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Main Branch - Adult Library
Experience the captivating work of artist Vickie Glassman this June and July! Her abstract expressionist paintings capture the rhythm and emotion of music through bold color and expressive artistry.
Stars and Stripes Exhibit - Exhibit Dates: May 1 - June 30
Mon, Jun 08, All day
Main Branch
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by delving into the Civil War era through this exhibit from the Stars and Stripes Museum.
C3BRIX LEGO DAY - with Cody Wells
Mon, Jun 08, 9:00am - 10:00am
Main Branch - Theater
Join us to explore imagination and collaboration with guest lego master, Cody Wells! We will build exciting structures, objects, and have endless fun with legos at this incredible event!
Registration opens Monday, June 1 2026 at 9:00am
C3BRIX LEGO DAY - with Cody Wells
Mon, Jun 08, 10:30am - 11:30am
Main Branch - Theater
Join us to explore imagination and collaboration with guest lego master, Cody Wells! We will build exciting structures, objects, and have endless fun with legos at this incredible event!
Registration opens Monday, June 1 2026 at 9:00am
Storytime - Here We Go Digging For Dinosaur Bones
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Main Branch - Theater
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Creativity Corner — Graphic Novels - Teen Event
Tue, Jun 09, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Main Branch - Theater
Come on down to Creativity Corner at Poplar Bluff Library, where art inspires art. Dive into the history of Graphic Novels, and then create your own comic strip!
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Main Branch - Sensory Garden
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Chess Club
Thu, Jun 11, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Main Branch
Join us every Thursday at the Main Branch from 4:30-6:30pm for Chess Club! All ages and skill levels welcome. Chessboards will be provided.
Music on the Lawn - with Trey Clevenger
Fri, Jun 12, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Branch - Sensory Garden
Unwind in the Sensory Garden during a relaxing evening of Music on the Lawn, featuring live music by Trey Clevenger. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic basket!
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Sat, Jun 13, 11:30am - 12:30pm
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Animalogy - with Parks & Recreation "Animals From Around the World"
Sat, Jun 13, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Main Branch
Get WILD at this incredible event full of amazing animals from around the world! Learn how animals use their senses, the roles some animals play in pollination, and many other exciting topics!
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Main Branch - Theater
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Stars and Stripes Exhibit - Exhibit Dates: May 1 - June 30
Mon, Jun 15, All day
Main Branch
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by delving into the Civil War era through this exhibit from the Stars and Stripes Museum.
Storytime - Water Safety with Parks & Recreation
Tue, Jun 16, 10:30am - 11:30am
Main Branch - Theater
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Creativity Corner — Memoir - Teen Event
Tue, Jun 16, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Main Branch - Theater
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Family Storytime - Water Safety with Parks & Recreation
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Main Branch - Theater
Splish Splash, water safety is knowledge that lasts! Dive in with our local lifeguards to learn how to keep yourself safe around bodies of water and some important tips that could help others, too!
Nature Explorers - Soil Science & Composting with Poplar Bluff Garden Club
Thu, Jun 18, 10:30am - 11:30am
Main Branch - Sensory Garden
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Chess Club
Thu, Jun 18, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Main Branch
Join us every Thursday at the Main Branch from 4:30-6:30pm for Chess Club! All ages and skill levels welcome. Chessboards will be provided.
Stars and Stripes Exhibit - Exhibit Dates: May 1 - June 30
Mon, Jun 22, All day
Main Branch
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by delving into the Civil War era through this exhibit from the Stars and Stripes Museum.
Memory Cafe at the Library - For individuals with memory challenges and their caregivers.
Tue, Jun 23, 10:00am - 11:00am
Main Branch - Wolpers Board Room
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Tue, Jun 23, 10:30am - 11:30am
Main Branch - Theater
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Tue, Jun 23, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Main Branch - Theater
Come on down to Creativity Corner at Poplar Bluff Library, where art inspires art. Dive into the history of Classic Literature, and then create your own miniature version of a Classic book!
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Thu, Jun 25, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Branch - Wolpers Board Room
This course explores creating safe passwords, recognizing spam and phishing attempts, secure online shopping, and safe use of social media.
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Chess Club
Thu, Jun 25, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Main Branch
Join us every Thursday at the Main Branch from 4:30-6:30pm for Chess Club! All ages and skill levels welcome. Chessboards will be provided.
America 250 - with Dr. Mark Neels, Guest Speaker
Fri, Jun 26, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Branch
Join us at the library for Son of Virginia, Father of Missouri: The Political Battles of Edward Bates, Lincoln’s Attorney General, a fascinating talk with historian Dr. Mark Neels.
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Main Branch - Theater
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National Yoga Day! - Chair Yoga with Active Kat Yoga and Parks and Recreation
Sat, Jun 27, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Main Branch - Theater
If you can sit, you can do yoga! Grab a seat and learn how using a chair during yoga can increase flexibility, build strength, improve posture, and calm the mind, no matter your age or fitness level.
Stars and Stripes Exhibit - Exhibit Dates: May 1 - June 30
Mon, Jun 29, All day
Main Branch
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by delving into the Civil War era through this exhibit from the Stars and Stripes Museum.
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Main Branch - Theater
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Creativity Corner — Contemporary Fiction - Teen Event
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Main Branch - Theater
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