Christopher Bond wasn’t having it. Bond was then the governor of Missouri and didn’t want to see such a significant collection of works by the 19th century painter sometimes called “The Missouri Artist” sold off (likely out of state).
Bond died on Tuesday in St. Louis. He was 86. He represented Missouri in the Senate as a Republican for 24 years after two separate stints as governor.
When the Bingham collection was at risk, Gov. Bond encouraged schoolchildren throughout the state to raise money toward purchasing the art. Schools that raised at least $250 would receive a Bingham print.
Children at more than 300 schools answered the call. Mainly by collecting spare change, they managed to raise about $40,000. Their success inspired legislators, businesses and private individuals to kick in more serious funds, eventually funding the purchase of the collection for more than $2 million.
After I learned about Bond’s intervention, at a Bingham exhibition a decade ago, it became a habit for me to ask governors and former governors if they had ever done something similar — something that wasn’t part of their larger political agenda but something that had an impact they could talk about with their grandchildren.
None have yet given me a satisfactory answer. So kudos to Kit Bond, as he was known, for using his bully pulpit in this particular way.
