Visiting the Walter Cronkite Memorial. St. Joseph MO

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“And that’s the way it is” CBS anchor Walter Cronkite remains the most famous and respected of all TV news personalities. “The most respected man in America” was born in St. Joseph and he left a collection to Missouri Western State University. The Walter Cronkite Memorial is a permanent free exhibit inside Spratt Hall Atrium. You cannot miss it on campus with the banners and memorial plaque outside. The first thing you see upon entering is a replica hanging above of a combat glider Cronkite rode in as a radio reporter covering World War II action. There are photos galore of Cronkite through the years at work and in the field and with presidents. A pictorial timeline relates Cronkite’s life from birth and tracing his rise through the journalistic ranks. Plenty of interactive playing Cronkite videos. There are a number of display cases containing personal memorabilia including his eight Emmy Awards. The best exhibit contains Cronkite’s desk laid out with his pipes, razor, Italian leather briefcase and some of his books. His wife of 65 years Betty receives a display. The 1960s CBS Studios news set is recreated and visitors can have a photo op moment of sitting in Cronkite’s chair and looking into the camera. The memorial is an interesting stop and the price is right.