Past, present of Springfield documented in Greene County archivist's new photobook

Greta Cross, Springfield News-Leader
·3 min read

Through a 96-page photobook, local author and archivist Connie Yen portrays the past and present of Springfield architecture.

The book, titled "Springfield," was released on Monday, after a year of conducting research and collecting photographs. The book includes about 160 then-and-now photos of businesses and houses in Springfield. Each set of photos is accompanied by research conducted by Yen.

Yen is the archives coordinator at the Greene County Archives. She said she's always had a passion for reading and writing about history. When Arcadia Publishing, a publisher of local and regional U.S. history, asked her to write about Springfield for its "Then and Now" series, Yen was excited by the opportunity to explore more of her city.

Arcadia Publishing's "Then and Now" series is made up of more than 250 photobooks documenting towns throughout the country. Other Missouri "Then and Now" photobooks include St. Charles and St. Louis.

Yen said the majority of the photos in the book were captured by her husband Jimmy Yen. The two spent several weekend mornings driving through Springfield, taking photos. Elizabeth Yen, owner of EJB Photography in Ozark, also contributed. As for the historical photos, the majority of them came from the Springfield-Greene County Library District.

The book's first photograph is of Park Central Square — the oldest known photo, dated between 1865-1870. While many of the then-and-now collections depict black and white photos of a historic building beside a modern, color version of the same building, not all do. Some of the historical buildings featured in the book are now parking lots, which Yen said she finds sad.

Yen described the book as a historical tour through Springfield. She encouraged folks who purchase it to drive around with the book to see for themselves how much has changed.

"These old buildings tell the story of our city and how it's changed over time," Yen said.

More:A black woman won her freedom in court. Then Springfield’s founders beat her in a street.

Where can I buy 'Springfield'?

Yen is hosting a book signing at Barnes & Noble on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"Springfield" is Yen's third published book. She is also the author of "A Postcard History of Springfield," a photobook of historical postcards, and "Sinner and Savior: Emma Molloy and the Graham Murder." This true story focuses on the 1886 murder in Greene County, popularly known as "The Graham Tragedy."

Last year, Yen was awarded the Center for Missouri Studies Fellowship from The State Historical Society of Missouri. The fellowship is awarded to two scholars each year. Each fellow receives a $5,000 stipend to complete a written project between 6,000-8,000 words on one of the year's chosen topics. Last year's topics were "Women's history in Missouri" and "Post-World War II immigration to Missouri."

Yen is writing about the Women's Christian Temperance Union and its role in advocating for female police matrons. The WCTU was one of the first international organizations devoted to social reform by connecting folks of both religious and secular sectors.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: 'Springfield' photobook portrays past, present of city's architecture