March 21, 2025
Naomi Mohler Crouch (1903-1990) was a Kansas City Northlands community leader, farmer, and mother. She made Woodneath her home for fifty years. In celebration of Naomi Crouch’s legacy and Women’s History Month, Story Center staff created a display that features photographs, letters, awards, and other mementos from the archives of Naomi’s life. The display is on view in the glass display cases at Woodneath Library Center now through the end of March.
The Woodneath historic home—now home to The Story Center at Mid-Continent Public Library—came to the Crouch family in 1923, when William Anderson Crouch, Jr., and his wife, Ross Riley Crouch, acquired it. William and Ross’s son, Edwin, purchased the home and the 232-acre farm from his parents in 1940. Naomi Mohler joined the Crouch family in 1926 when she married Edwin.
In addition to supporting the farm, Naomi raised five children: Sarah Ross, Marie Lousie, William Mohler, Edwin Riley, and John Judson. Naomi also devoted 25 years of her life to 4-H work, serving as a Missouri 4-H Foundation Trustee and Chair and a Clay County 4-H volunteer. 1970, the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture recognized her in its centennial commemoration. She was the only woman in her five-county district to receive a gold medallion. In 1990, the Missouri 4-H Foundation established the Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award to recognize volunteers and organizations who have significantly contributed to 4-H, just like Naomi. The award has been given every year since 1990.
The Woodneath historic home is on the National Register of Historic Places thanks to Naomi and her recognition of the importance of preservation. She completed the application process for the home to be on the Register, and Woodneath was added in 1978, laying the groundwork for the home to become the welcoming public space it is today. Naomi can also be credited with helping to create the Earnest Shepherd Memorial Youth Center in Liberty, Missouri, where she was a board member in the early 1960s. The Earnest Shepherd Youth Center is now in its 63rd year of operation.
Naomi often said, “What you get, you give back.” As evidenced by the photos and letters on display at the Woodneath Library Center, Naomi gave much to her family and community. If you’d like to learn more about Naomi Crouch, come see the display and see local storyteller Mary L. Schmidt perform as Naomi at The Story Center program “At Home with Naomi Crouch” in the Woodneath historic home on Wednesday, March 26, at 6:30 p.m.
Melanie Pierce, Story Center Program Manager
Simaran Singh, Story Center Associate
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