Coinciding with the 2006 Year of the Museum, a public relations campaign by the American Association of Museums to raise public awareness of museums in their communities, is the celebration that marked the 75th anniversary of the Joplin Museum Complex. A large number of community leaders and interested citizens assembled at the museum in Schifferdecker Park to listen to proclamations, witness a ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by representatives of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, and eat cake. Mayor Jon Tupper, at left, commends museum director Brad Belk, at right, and the museum for their contributions to the culture of the Joplin community. (Photo by Vince Rosati)