Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 22
A Tale
of Three
Brothers
Visitors welcomed
to a night of
history and food
at the Byrd House
by Jim McCarty | jmccarty@ruralmissouri.coop
T
he first time James and Rebecca Beil saw
the old stone house through a break in the
trees they knew it would be their family's
new home. It took some detective work to
find the owners and convince them to sell. But in
the end, the Beils became caretakers of a remarkable piece of Missouri history, with ties to the beginning of statehood.
Stumbling on the house located north of Jackson
was just the beginning of their adventure. It would
take them seven years of hard work to restore the
home to its former glory. Now the Citizens Electric
members are again ready to share the Byrd House
- and its storied history - with the public through
a series of dinner theaters, complete with storytellers and a period-correct dinner.
"After taking time out to grieve the loss of a
beloved family member and for Jimmy and me to
reflect on our life adventure together, which included the strenuous restoration of a 200-year-old
house, we still had the desire to share our unique
historical property with others and to tell what we
know about its history," Rebecca says.
"God started opening doors and we started stepping. As the plans began to unfold we became excited to have another opportunity to give pulse to the
original owners of the old stone house - a gutsy
pioneer family by the name of Byrd."
On weekends beginning Nov. 14 and continuing
until Dec. 14, the Byrd House will again welcome
visitors to step back in time 200 years and learn
the stories of a frontier family who left their mark
on Cape Girardeau County. Titled "A Tale of Three
Brothers," the event will cover a period of time from
1799 when Amos Byrd moved his family from Tennessee to Missouri until 1820 when Missouri was on
the verge of becoming a state. It will focus on three
of Amos Byrd's sons, Stephen, John and Abraham.
John operated a gristmill, a large trading post, a
cotton gin, blacksmith shop and a distillery. Abraham and Stephen trended toward politics. They
contributed much of their time to forming Cape
Girardeau County.
It was Stephen who built the house the Beils
restored. Abraham also built an impressive stone
house that still exists just a few miles from his
brother's land. It is undergoing restoration as well.
"A friend of ours has taken on the project,"
Rebecca says. "His interest in historic preservation
22
RURAL MISSOURI | NOVEMBER 2019
James Beil will be dressed in frontier attire when the Byrd House welcomes guests to a dinner theater experience. He is shown
here in the recreation of John Byrd's community gathering room where the dinner theater will start.
Following this, the guests will enjoy a savory dinhas resulted in his purchase of four of the oldest
houses in the area, all undergoing different phases ner in Stephen Byrd's old stone house where actors
of restoration. We have expressed to our friend that will continue to provide entertainment.
The intimate event includes two group sittings
we had always envisioned the brothers' stone housof 16 people per night on Thursdays, Fridays and
es being linked together for some events."
The Byrd's story begins with a tenacious man Saturdays. Cost is $75 per person, which includes
named Amos, patriarch of a large and influential taxes and gratuities. Advance ticket purchases are
family. After serving as a captain in the Revolution- required.
Had the Beil family not come along when they
ary War, his interest in exploring the frontier was
ignited. In 1799 the Byrds would be some of the first did, and had they not recognized the potential in
to venture west of the Mississippi River in search of the 3-foot-thick stone walls, there's little doubt the
new land. They settled near present-day Jackson in beautiful house would have passed into the pages
territory that then belonged to Spain. In time, Presi- of history. In fact, it was slated to be burned in a
dent Andrew Jackson's purchase of the Louisiana firefighter training exercise. Its carefully quarried
Territory would double the size of the nation and stones would have been bulldozed and the home
that Stephen Byrd built in the early 1800s would
bring the Byrds back into the fold.
"A lot was happening during this tumultuous have been just a memory.
Ignoring the advice of friends who thought they
time of early American settlement and this brave
frontier family would not only see and hear of revo- were a little crazy to take on the project, they carelutionizing events transpiring around them, they fully undid the damage caused by nearly 200 years
of weather and neglect. A fire had damaged
would participate," Rebecca says. "In
time, with true grit and perseverpart of the house. Rot had reduced its elegant
ance they would help shape the area
two-story porches to dangerous condition.
of what would become the southeast
Trash cluttered the floors knee deep. Only
one of its original doors remained. The
corner of Missouri into a place they
restoration required months of tearing
would call home."
out horsehair plaster and tuckpointThat included helping move Missouri
from a territory to a state on Aug. 10,
ing each one of the limestone blocks.
Jackson
Modern plumbing and wiring were
1821, with Stephen being one of the
added, but the original character of
people elected to help frame the new
the home was carefully preserved.
state constitution.
With Missouri's Bicentennial celGuests coming to the Byrd House
ebration coming soon, the Beils are
today will encounter changes that should
enhance the dinner experience. In 1807, John Byrd already looking ahead to the role the house will play
was issued a license to keep a "House of Entertain- in the historic milestone. The family's time in Missouri bridged the period between territory and state.
ment" on his property.
"So Jimmy and I decided to transform the area And with Abraham's home being restored with an
that was our Colonial Christmas Shop into a rec- eye on opening it to the public, the Beils hope somereation of the 1807 community gathering spot," day to link the two properties in some way.
There's talk of opening a bed and breakfast at
Rebecca says. "It is here in John Byrd's Tavern that
guests will begin the evening. We invite you to hang the Byrd House and other ideas. For now, Rebecca
says, "Stay tuned."
your hats and release your imaginations."
"No doubt this was supposed to be part of our
A professional storyteller will weave stories of
Amos Byrd's offspring into the background fabric journey," Rebecca says of the happy coincidence
of an emerging nation. The tale includes several that brought them to be the home's caretakers. "We
stand-alone stories designed to make the audience don't understand why we are part of it. But we have
faith in God's plan."
want to learn more.
"The storyteller will transport you back to a fasFor more information or to make reservations for
cinating time in history full of wrenching conflicts
and change as these bold frontiersmen are carving the dinner theater, call 573-243-3764 or visit www.
thebyrdhouse1820.com.
their place out of the wilderness," Rebecca says.
http://www.thebyrdhouse1820.com
Rural Missouri - November 2019
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Missouri - November 2019
Contents
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - Intro
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - Cover1
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - Cover2
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - Contents
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 4
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 5
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 6
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 7
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 8
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 9
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 10
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 11
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 12
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 13
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 14
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 15
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 16
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 17
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 18
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 19
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 20
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 21
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 22
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 23
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 24
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 25
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 26
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 27
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 28
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 29
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 30
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 31
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 32
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 33
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 34
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 35
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 36
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 37
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - 38
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - Cover3
Rural Missouri - November 2019 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201807
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201707
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201706
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201611
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201606
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201511
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201507
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201505
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/videotest
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/201010
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com