Poems and plays written by Myrtle Bronson Sheppard of Cape Girardeau, MO. Sheppard was an African American school teacher who taught in rural Southeast Missouri from 1915 to 1933. Sheppard was also a regional author who published works related to her life experiences.

The Myrtle Bronson Sheppard Collection consists of newspaper clippings written about Sheppard, 5 loose poems, one book titled “Souvenirs and Other Selected Poems by Helen Welshimer,” and three booklets written by Sheppard “Fun Stories for the Small Fry,” “This ‘n’ That,” and “This ‘n’ That, - ‘n’ More.” The collection also includes a hand painted Barley Wedgwook plate gifted from Sheppard. The materials within the collection range in date from 1970 to 1979, with exception of Helen Welshiner’s book which is dated 1933.