I'll be in southwest Missouri for two weeks (visiting family) starting this weekend. I'm taking a day to finally do the pilgrimage to Butler - something I wanted to do in 2007 during the Centennial but ultimately didn't have the time. Has anyone been there lately? Does the RAH birthplace still have the sign? I assume this and the Heinlein "wing" of the Butler library are the only two holy sites.

The house is no longer labeled but easy to find if you have the address... which I don't, right at hand. The library is the other stop. There's also the Butler County History/Historical Museum, which is the one that participated in whipsawing us over Heinlein's desk etc. at the Centennial; I guess the statute of limitations has expired and you can go visit.

But that's it. Not much to Butler. (Although it proved to be a good preview of the towns where we're living now.)

Thanks, Jim.

Does anyone have the address for the birthplace house in Butler? For bonus points, is anyone aware of the address(es) where the Heinleins lived in Kansas City, and whether those residences still exist? We're going to KC to get some 'que and hang out.

I promise to post lots of pictures for those interested.

805 North Fulton Street (per http://www.libertarianism.org/people/robert-heinlein)

Thanks, Peter!

I made the pilgrimage to Butler on Friday. I was both elated and disappointed. There are three sites of interest in this small Missouri town; the birthplace, the Butler library, and the Bates County Museum. Here are some pictures from each site.

Entering Butler and the library:



















Next, the Heinlein birthplace. The sign is still there, but it's not longer hung on a post - it's propped up against the side of the house.











And finally, the rather minimal exhibit at the Bates County Museum:











After Butler, we drove to Kansas City and had some great BBQ:

Great pictures, Jack, Thanks for posting!

Welcome, Peter.

Yes, thanks for some nice refresher memories. I'm pleased to see that the library has the centennial banner hung up for viewing. (That's the one that was behind the podium in the main room.)

Yes. And thanks for reminding me to kick myself in the tail for the umpteenth time for not managing to make it to the RAH Centennial goings on. Arrrrrggggghhhhh. [Don't mind the sour grapes. Once I get over the sore tail, I'm sure I'll love the pics. ]

An account of another recent visit to Butler by Steve Fahnestalk. Surprised we didn't bump into one another.
Some different pictures and much more narrative.

http://amazingstoriesmag.com/2013/07/a- ... -heinlein/

I neglected to post the link to the short video my niece Allie made of the road trip.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=407045729410503

Neat. The Centennial banner makes another appearance. That's a heck of a courthouse for 4200 people, BTW.

Nice piece by Steve Fahnestalk. The video by your niece Allie was interesting to say the least, albeit a tad confusing to someone not of your family.

Thanks for both.