About

The Historic River District works to keep the buildings on Ozark's square standing and the businesses inside them open.

The Ozark Historic River District works to keep the historic square and the blocks around it healthy and open for business. Much of that work happens one building at a time.

We help property owners understand what their buildings need, connect them with preservation resources, and pursue funding to reduce the cost of repairs. We work alongside the local businesses that give people a reason to spend time downtown, helping them stay visible and connected to one another. Throughout the year, we host events like Sunset on the Square on second Fridays in the summer, the Historic Haunted Walking Tour each October, and Friday Night Lights in December. And because so much of Ozark's history lives in these buildings and in the memories of people who have known them for decades, we're building a digital record of that history so future owners, residents, and visitors better understand what came before them.

HRD is an affiliate program of Missouri Main Street Connection. Our work is guided by a volunteer board and four committees (Promotion, Design, Economic Vitality, and Organization) and supported by the City of Ozark, our members, local sponsors, and grant funding.

What we do

How we work

The Main Street framework features four pillars and that’s how we arrange our work. All of these are open and you don't have to be a member to join us for a meeting.

The Organization Committee builds the leadership, volunteer base, and funding that the rest of HRD's work depends on. The committee recruits and coordinates volunteers, manages our membership program, plans fundraising efforts, and keeps our finances and records in order. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, but the other committees rely on it to keep their own work moving.
The Promotion Committee gives people reasons to come downtown and spend time in the district. The committee plans and runs our annual events, including Sunset on the Square on second Fridays in the summer, the Historical Haunted Walking Tour each October, and Friday Night Lights in December. The committee also manages HRD's website and social media and leads our outreach, making sure residents and visitors know what's happening in the district. People who enjoy planning events, taking photos, writing, or sharing stories about Ozark would be a great fit here.
The Design Committee looks after how the district looks and how it works for the people who use it. The committee helps property owners plan facade improvements and building repairs, and it works on the shared elements that shape the experience of being here, including lighting, seating, signage, and public spaces. Volunteers with a background in construction, architecture, or design would be a great fit, as would anyone with an interest in historic buildings and how to care for them.
The Economic Vitality Committee focuses on the business side of the district. The committee tracks which buildings and storefronts are occupied and which are vacant, supports existing businesses so they can stay open and grow, recruits new businesses to fill empty spaces, and connects property owners with grant funding. This work also produces the reinvestment data HRD reports to Missouri Main Street Connection, which shows how much private and public investment is flowing into the district over time. Volunteers with a background in business, real estate, finance, or economic development would be an ideal fit here.

Leading the work

HRD is guided by a volunteer board and four committee chairs who give their time to plan events, support local businesses, care for historic buildings, and keep the organization running. The board sets direction and oversees our finances, and each committee chair leads a group of volunteers focused on one part of that work. Our part-time Executive Director supports the board and committees and leads our work on grants, and reporting.

Ashleigh Hawkins, President

The Board

Jillian Johnson, Vice President

Misty Willinger, Treasurer

Renee Rousell, Secretary

Alta Bivens

Amber Bryant

Jeremy Burns

Suzan Collins

Committee Chairs

Promotion - Ashleigh Hawkins

Organization - Misty Willinger

Design - Suzan Collins

Economic Vitality - Alta Bivens

Part-Time Staff

Josh Klein, Executive Director

Adria Leesman, Social Media Manager

Summaries are posted after the board approves each month's minutes. If you would like a copy of the full minutes or have something you'd like the board to consider, reach out to us through the contact page.