A medieval-themed national crossbow tournament was staged in Madison County beginning in the late 1950s. A troupe of costumed teenage girls, known as the Crossbowettes performed daring precision drills and tricks. Shiloh Museum of Ozark history is commemorating the crossbow tournament and hosting a reunion Nov. 15 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Shiloh Museum to Host Medieval Crossbowette Reunion
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Crossbowettes take aim, Huntsville, 1961. From left: Susie McDonald, Linda Owens, Shirley Duncan, Diane McKinney, & Juanita Thompson.
Courtesy Shiloh Museum of Ozark History / Carolyn Reno Collection
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Les Mercenaires (The Mercenaries) painting by George Stevens, featuring crossbow tournament queen Doris Ann Coger, circa 1960.
Courtesy Doris Ann Coger Kisor
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Crossbowette mock-up by George Stevens, early 1960s. The final image was used for tournament programs and publicity.
Courtesy Shiloh Museum of Ozark History / Patsy Laird Vaughan Collection
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Lancer painting by George Stevens, founder of Huntsville's Crossbow Tournament, 1960s.
Courtesy Shiloh Museum of Ozark History / Patsy Laird Vaughan Collection
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Former Crossbowette Diane McKinney Johnson stands with Marie Dermoukas by exhibition case filled with tournament artifacts.
Jacqueline Froelich
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Diane McKinney Johnson demonstrates modern crossbow shooting in Shiloh Museum's farmyard.
Jacqueline Froelich
