Jim's Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center

06/05/2026

Crossed an ocean-we made it to Paris, France.

06/03/2026

Our French journalist concluded their visit with me last evening, it was a truly enriching experience. I believe the three days they spent here provided them with a genuine understanding of Hannibal. I am confident that I achieved my objectives, which included highlighting the contributions of Daniel Quarles, his family, and descendants. I also had the opportunity to shed light on the significant contributions and accomplishments of the Black community and its ancestors. We spent our final evening at Old Baptist Cemetery, where many former slaves and enslavers are laid to rest together, equal at last.

Their souvenirs included "Straight Out of Hannibal" t-shirts.

06/03/2026

06/02/2026

You can see here how much fun we were having getting to know each other. This international exposure is awesome as we expose a brand new audience to the contributions and accomplishments of small town America. I'm amazed daily as new accomplishments are learned and shared.

06/02/2026

Shelley Fishkin just a nod to you and your work, you are an awesome historian and writer. Your writing makes me want to keep reading. And your support of Jim's Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center from day one will not be forgotten, I'm sure your support has opened us up to international exposure - thank you.

06/02/2026

Donna Black-Blackman, thought about your meadow.

Calling wildflowers and native plants “weeds” often says more about human habits than the plants themselves.

Many of these plants are not useless or unwanted. They feed bees, butterflies, birds, and other pollinators. They help protect soil, support local insects, hold water, and keep ecosystems healthy. Long before manicured lawns became a symbol of beauty, native plants were already doing the work that keeps the land alive.

When you pull them out without knowing what they are, you may remove food, shelter, and medicine from the environment around you. A flower that looks ordinary to one person may be a lifeline for a pollinator. A plant growing at the edge of a yard may help restore balance to the soil.

Native plants evolved with the animals, insects, and seasons around them. That connection matters. They belong to the place in a way many imported lawn grasses and ornamental plants do not.

So maybe the question is not why wildflowers grow where they do. Maybe the question is why we were taught to see life as a problem when it does not fit a neat lawn.

06/01/2026

I am thrilled to share that Jim's Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center will be featured in a documentary about Twain’s Huckleberry Finn and the novel JAMES by Percival Everett. Remi, a French documentary producer, contacted us to be a feature in the film. He had also interviewed Percival Everett, prominent Twain experts Shelley Fishkin and David Bradley, and award-winning author Jesmyn Ward. The entire experience has been profoundly humbling. Jim's Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center Shelley Fishkin

As it happened, two travelers noticed our door open and became part of the narrative -Jane and Dan. Jane describes our little museum as "Hannibal’s hidden treasure".

06/01/2026

A wonderful friend returned with her sisters, one is a recent transplant from Florida. "Florida is getting too expensive". A great visit as she is introduced to local "treasures".

05/31/2026

Two recent visitors, Joe just happens to be a guy who loves history. We spent an hour learning from each other. He mentioned his connection to a monastery in Dubuque, IA, his hometown.

Then, Dotun showed up, a super talented writer with ESPN. He truly appreciated our story, took lots of photos. He is a friend of Percival Everett's wife, promised to share our "little trove of information buried in Hannibal’s story".