In November, 2020, the Augusta (Missouri) History Museum received an unusual master woodworking gift of two 6-foot benches from the Heritage Adventurers Chapter #1478 of the Missouri State Questers. A Quester is a person dedicated to the preservation, restoration and conservation of historic buildings, sites and antiquities. The Missouri State Questers support numerous historic sites throughout the state.

The two beautifully crafted benches were made out of white oak and designed to meet 1880 period specifications, which were researched by one of the Questers, Barry Bingham. The project took about six months and was completed by volunteer woodworkers Sharon Bell, Barry Bingham, Mary Ann Bingham, Ken Vogel, and Sam Houston.

The Heritage Adventurers Chapter #1478 is based in Lake St. Louis, Missouri and has supported the Augusta History Museum with other projects as well, including building the museum’s mannequin case and a case that houses the military uniforms.

One of the last requests made by Dr. Anita Mallinckrodt – author, teacher, and historian for the Town of Augusta – was that the Augusta History Museum obtain seating for visitors who attend the many programs presented there. This project satisfies that request and provides a wonderful addition to the museum.

The Friends of Historic Augusta, which maintains the museum, is extremely grateful to the Questers for their support.

 L-R: Barry and Mary Ann Bingham, and Sam Houston
who delivered the benches to the museum.

Volunteer woodworkers who built the benches were
Sharon Bell, Barry Bingham, Mary Ann Bingham, Ken Vogel, and Sam Houston.

The completed benches.

Each bench bears in inscription from the donors.