Arkansas Historic Preservation Program

AHPP 's new coloring books arrived at the warehouse today, and we're taking orders! They are free, so email [email protected] if you want some for your kiddos. 🖍️

The Searcy County Historical Society will meet at 7:00 pm on Friday, August 23 at the First Christian Church. Ralph S. Wilcox, National Register & Survey Coordinator and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer for the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, will give the program. He will talk about three things. First, an overview of the National Register of Historic Places program in Arkansas and what the process is for listing a property on the National Register. Second, talk briefly about two National Register nominations that are currently in process for properties in Searcy County. Third, talk about Truscon buildings, which are a brand of prefabricated building that were manufactured in Youngstown, Ohio, between the 1910s and 1930s. Marshall actually has the largest Truscon Building in the state, and he guesses that Truscon Buildings are not well known in Searcy County. All are invited to attend. Coffee and nibbles will be available. Arkansas Historic Preservation Program

The latest Arkansas Heritage historical marker was dedicated in Arkadelphia on Friday. It tells about the impact that Dr. W.D. and Ida Feaster had on the community, including the origins of Feaster Park. It was sponsored by the Peake High School Alumni Foundation and the Buffaloes Foundation.

The marker reads:

"Dr. W.D. and Ida Feaster were notable African American civic leaders and educators in Arkadelphia in the 20th century. Originally from South Carolina, they were educated at colleges and universities on the East Coast. In 1906 they moved to Arkansas, where Dr. Feaster, a minister and professor, served the Northern Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) by leading the West End church and superintending the affiliated Arkadelphia Presbyterian Academy, a co-ed elementary and secondary school for Black children. Mrs. Feaster became one of the teachers. They modernized the Academy, reforming its curriculum, expanding its facilities, growing its enrollment, and bringing the school acclaim within the denomination.

"Dr. Feaster died in 1926, and the Arkadelphia Presbyterian Academy left the city in 1933 to consolidate with its sister academy in Cotton Plant. Mrs. Feaster remained a part of the Arkadelphia community until her passing at age 98 in 1979. During segregation, a portion of her property served as a community park for African Americans to play baseball and softball, hold family reunions, and enjoy the company of friends. In 1976, the City of Arkadelphia purchased these 67.6 acres from Mrs. Feaster for $97,400 to establish an official city park, which was named for the Feasters."

Marker commemorates history of Arkadelphia's Feaster Park - The history of a popular Arkadelphia park and trail’s namesake is now on display for citizens who visit Feaster Park

Fostering a love for historic places can begin at an early age. For a decade, Arkansas’ young citizens have been discovering the state's historic sites through our coloring books, guided by Diana the butterfly, crayon in hand.

We’re excited to announce the fifth coloring book in the “Adventure in Historic Preservation” series from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. Designed for kids from pre-K through 6th grade, these coloring books are popular tools for teachers and a fantastic resource for parents.

In our latest edition, “Traveling Arkansas with Friends: Meet Izzy Bee,” Diana is joined by Izzy, an inquisitive honeybee. Together, they explore fascinating historic sites like an old steam locomotive in Fordyce, a miniature library in Norman, and a replica of the Statue of Liberty in Paragould. Kids can also color traditional buildings such as the Monroe County Courthouse and the Taylor Log House in Drew County.

Teachers, educators, and parents, we invite you to utilize this engaging tool. Request a free copy or a classroom set by emailing [email protected] or calling 501-324-9880. A printable PDF version is also available on https://www.arkansasheritage.com/educate/teacher-resources.

Let’s inspire young minds to preserve our history!

Happy ! 🖍️ AHPP is excited to introduce our newest coloring book, "Traveling Arkansas with Friends: Meet Izzy Bee"! 🐝 This is the 5th installment in the "Adventures in Historic Preservation" series, and your pre-K to 6th-grade kids will love it!

For a free copy or even a classroom set, email [email protected] or call 501-324-9880.

Download the PDF here: https://loom.ly/Rp2WWfY 🖨️

The August State Review Board meeting is going to be epic! Some of the properties being considered for historic designation are:
🏢 An iconic downtown Little Rock skyscraper
🚽 A 1930s outhouse
💜 A quirky heart-shaped concrete monument saying “Prepare to meet God”
🏫 A downtown historic district in Searcy (Searcy has no historic districts yet!)
and…
🆕 The very first Arkansas Heritage Site nominations, a newly created designation!

More info about the public meeting here: https://loom.ly/11LKnhM

The Root Cafe has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grant Program! This grant will help beautify and improve their historic building at 15th and Main Street in SoMa. Improvements include new windows, fresh paint, an updated patio, lighting repairs, and new signage.

We're excited to see these enhancements to a cornerstone of our community.

See more at: https://savingplaces.org/historicrestaurants

If you live in Arkadelphia, you've walked Feaster Trail or played in Feaster Park. But who were the Feasters?? A new historical marker telling their story will be unveiled next Friday, Aug. 2, at noon at the Community Family Enrichment Center, 301 N. 23rd St. You don't want to miss the ceremony and see the marker in all its finished glory!

Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum Walk-Through History The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program traveled to Piggott to walk in the steps of Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway was married to Pauline Pfeiffer and the co...

The newest Arkansas historical marker has been installed in Crawford County. It stands at the corner of Dripping Springs Road and Beverly Hills Drive (near Old Uniontown Road) and tells a Civil War story:

DRIPPING SPRINGS AND THE FEDERAL RAID ON VAN BUREN
"On December 27, 1862, Union columns totaling 8,000 troops and thirty pieces of artillery under the command of Generals James G. Blunt and F.J. Herron marched south from Cane Hill and Prairie Grove to conduct a raid on Rebel-held Van Buren. At dawn on the 28th at Dripping Springs, Kansas and Wisconsin cavalry, including a company of Kaw Indians, routed two regiments of Confederate Texas mounted troops guarding the Telegraph Road under Lt. Col. R.P. Crump. A Union cavalry charge supported by artillery fire swept the camp, interrupting the Rebels’ breakfast. The Confederates retreated toward Van Buren. Union forces captured forty wagons as well as several prisoners.

"From Dripping Springs, the Federal cavalry chased the Rebels all the way through the hamlet of Logtown and into Van Buren. Albert Greene, a trooper in the 9th Kansas recalled, “The citizens came out of their houses as we passed by, some to cheer, some to curse, and all the women to cry.” Col. William Cloud of the 2nd Kansas said, “I never saw bullets fly as thick as at Logtown.” Blunt and Herron’s troops forced the Confederate evacuation of Van Buren. Additionally, the forces sank six steamboats and the ferry and destroyed 20,000 bushels of corn. Approximately 1,000 slaves were freed and followed the victorious column north."

AHPP has awarded over $4 million in County Courthouse Restoration Grants and $975,900 in Historic Preservation Restoration Grants to a total of 56 recipients around the state.

"It’s an honor to award this money each year," says Arkansas Heritage Director Marty Ryall, "and rewarding to see the progress photos and reports that come into our office throughout the process. The real winners in all of this are the citizens of our state.”

Courthouse and Historic Preservation Restoration Grant DAH Blog

Nearly $5 million has been awarded for historic preservation projects in Arkansas via two AHPP grant programs.

"It’s an honor to award this money each year," says Arkansas Heritage Director Marty Ryall, "and rewarding to see the progress photos and reports that come into our office throughout the process. The real winners in all of this are the citizens of our state.”

Courthouse and Historic Preservation Restoration Grant DAH Blog

On your next drive in Northwest Arkansas, check out this new historical marker. It stands in Winslow near the museum and tells about the downtown historic district. Small town, big history!

(📷 courtesy of Ann Malkie, City of Winslow)

Introducing two more of the 2024 Preserve Our Past essay contest winners:
Ava Grace Henderson, homeschooled, won first place in the 5th/6th-grade division for her essay "A Day in Old Washington." She got to visit Historic Arkansas Museum this week and see the display of winning Preserve Our Past works.
Joah Smith, of Ozark Middle School, won second place in the 7th/8th-grade division for his essay "Mountain Crest Academy."

📣 FREE TOUR 📣 This Friday, come hear the history of this beautiful historic railroad depot, now home to the Clinton School of Public Service . More info at https://loom.ly/wmHlC7w. 🚂

Several historic properties in Arkansas have recently been listed on the National Register of Historic Places! Click to read about these 11 places, including a Fay Jones gazebo, four churches, urban historic districts, and campground and park properties. What a great way to wrap up ! https://loom.ly/uNij4ek

Little Rock Historic District Commission St. Anthony's Catholic Church North Little Rock Parks and Recreation Arkansas Department of Corrections Arkansas State University Centerville United Methodist Church National Register of Historic Places - NPS

New Arkansas additions to National Register of Historic Places DAH Blog

Washington County believes in historic preservation. County Judge Patrick Deakins celebrated with a proclamation. And you really should check out Washington County Historical Society's month-long campaign on their FB page. Lots of great historic sites to learn about!

Travis Ratermann, our Survey Historian, will be presenting at the Old State House, tomorrow at noon, on the the Space Fence.

People are saving historic places in Pike County! For example, volunteers have been restoring the Glenwood Depot to make a local museum. (It has progressed even more since these photos were taken!) Pike County Judge Eddie Howard has recognized this and other preservation efforts by proclaiming May to be .

Glenwood Chamber of Commerce

May is in Benton County, too--see County Judge Barry Moehring's proclamation. They take preservation seriously. It's so heartbreaking to see the destruction caused by the recent storms. But heartwarming to see the community pulling together to recover. Benton County is strong!

This month is National Historic Preservation Month! In Benton County, we're showing our support for the people who preserve and save our historic sites. Benton County Judge Barry Moehring signed a proclamation declaring it National Historic Preservation Month to recognize this effort. Thank you to Arkansas Historic Preservation Program for your work!

One of the 50 county judges in Arkansas making proclamations is St. Francis County Judge Craig Jones. The proclamation celebrates "the role of history in our lives and the contributions made by the dedicated individuals in helping to preserve the tangible aspects of the heritage that has shaped us as a people." We salute the folks in St. Francis County working to preserve historic places!

Thank you to Perry County Judge Larry Blackmon for signing a proclamation! Fifty county judges in Arkansas are making these proclamations, because they believe, like this document says, that "historic preservation is relevant for communities across the nation, both urban and rural, and for Americans of all ages, walks of life and all ethnic backgrounds."

For , we're happy to share one of the historic properties AHPP is helping to preserve. The Searcy County Courthouse in Marshall received a County Courthouse Restoration Grant to replace the main electrical service, the north façade door, and the landing. (These photos are from last month.)

Arkansas Historic Preservation Program offices are closed today in observance of Memorial Day.