We started out by watching their video explaining the Civil War in the Ozark Mountains and then we toured the museum. The Battle of Carthage was the first full-scale land battle of the Civil War, as shown on this Civil War timeline, so this was an important battle.
The battle diorama
The battle involved not only Confederate and Union soldiers but many were guerrilla bushwhackers who sewed a reign of terror in the area. This resulted in the town being burned to the ground, so it had to be completely rebuilt.
We finished up in the museum and then walked south a block to the city square. There is the Jasper County Courthouse. It is 176 ft tall, built using local Carthage marble on the site of the original courthouse which was burned during the Civil War like most of the rest of the town. The new courthouse was built from 1894 - 1895. It is the second most photographed structure in Missouri after the St Louis arch. If you are through this area, probably on the historic Route 66, stop by here and take in the beauty of this magnificent building!
After walking the square we saddled up and drove a few miles back to the Precious Moments campus.
If you are unfamiliar with Precious Moments, they are collectable figurines typically featuring children with teardrop-shaped eyes. Precious Moments founding artist Samuel J. Butcher's artwork has always "been inspired by faith, family, and friends" and was first featured on popular greeting cards. I have been giving Doreen a Precious Moments figurine nearly every year at Christmas for as long as I can remember. These two examples are patriotic-themed, but they sell figurines based on various themes such as camping, holidays, weddings, graduations, etc.
The artist and founder Samuel J. Butcher was originally from Michigan but after returning from California where he attended art school, he stopped in Joplin/Carthage and purchased this 17-1/2 acres of land for his Precious Moments company. The way the story goes, the land had to have Rolling Foothills, A calming Creek, and A Serene Cave, and they are all here! The first Precious Moments figurine was released in 1978. 
So our visit today started in the gift shop which is a huge, multi-room building with a restaurant in addition to hundreds of Precious Moments on display and for sale. 
We then headed out of the gift shop building and walked the grounds to the awesome Precious Moments Chapel, which Mr. Butcher built in 1989 as a way to honor his faith. The chapel includes over 9,000 square feet of 84 hand-painted murals, 30 stained glass windows, 4 hand-carved wooden doors, all from Mr. Butcher's dream. 
We finished up and headed back to the campground. Later we shopped to replenish the pantry and fridge, stopped for fuel and then made preparations to depart in the morning to our next destination, Branson MO. We have some nasty weather moving in so we will be keeping a keen eye on that in the next few days.
A tribute to the children killed during the Oklahoma City Bombing
Entrance doors hand-carved from the Philippine's
Stained glass here features the 23rd Psalm
One side features the Old Testament. The other features the New Testament. All painted by Mr. Butcher.
Our tour guide explaining the intricate paintings
Mr. Butcher spent years sketching, painting, and finalizing the stories of the Bible that adorn the Chapel walls and ceiling. The ceiling paintings were inspired by the Sistine Chapel. As we departed the chapel we walked past the viewing area for the cave on the property.
Back at the gift shop, Doreen picked up a couple bargains to bring home and add to her collection!
We finished up and headed back to the campground. Later we shopped to replenish the pantry and fridge, stopped for fuel and then made preparations to depart in the morning to our next destination, Branson MO. We have some nasty weather moving in so we will be keeping a keen eye on that in the next few days.
Next report, Branson MO!
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