SPRINGFIELD, Mo., November 6, 2026 – Drury University invites the public to a special screening of the documentary The Patterson House, an original project on the remarkable lives and global connections of a Springfield family, 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Lay Hall auditorium. The documentary was produced in its entirety by Drury students, who began working on the project in 2016.
An additional showing is scheduled for 3 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19 in Olin Library.
The documentary follows the story of the Patterson family and their historic home, located across the street from the Drury campus at 1225 N. Benton Ave. The home was placed on the register of Springfield Local Historic Sites and Landmarks in September of 1989.
“It’s remarkable to find this much history in one location,” Drury Instructor of Communication Brian Shipman said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime project for students and faculty.”
The Patterson House not only focuses on the Patterson family but on the Patterson children, who were Drury students a century ago. The documentary touches on several historic events as they impacted the house and its residents, including the Civil War, former President Harry S. Truman, World Wars I and II, the German Monarchy, the United States nuclear program, the Vatican, Lake Taneycomo, Table Rock Lake dam and more.
Patterson House was built in 1903 by the Robords family. Emily Robards married Orin Patterson in 1904, and the Patterson family owned the house until 2004. Patterson House is currently used as student housing at Drury.
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Media Contact: Cris Belvin, Director of University Communications & Media Relations | (417) 873-7392 | gbelvin@drury.edu