Yellow Fever exhibit at Washington

By submitted, 02/9/22 3:16 PM

WASHINGTON – “The Great Yellow Fever Scourge” Exhibit, will be displayed at Historic Washington State Park in Washington, Arkansas from       February 8 – September 5 from 8am—5pm daily at the 1874 Courthouse Visitor Center, except Mondays when the park is closed.

Throughout history, every generation has battled different diseases that have plagued their daily lives. In nineteenth-century America, one disease became a regular concern every summer-fall season along the Gulf Coast and Mississippi Valley. It was called the “Yellow Fever”.

In nineteenth-century Washington, Arkansas, residents of the community and area would regularly hear about the ravages of Yellow Fever in the local newspaper, “The Washington Telegraph.”  River towns such as Memphis, Shreveport, Vicksburg, and New Orleans were regular locations that Yellow Fever would impact. This would cause great concern about the spread of the disease to communities like Washington that received many of their material goods from these river towns. Three major epidemics in 1853, 1873, and 1878 impacted the area and its residents. Learn more about how these epidemics of the nineteenth century impacted the region through this exhibit.

About Historic Washington State Park

Historic Washington State Park, located in Washington, Ark., is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Mondays. The park is a restoration village interpreting the historic Arkansas town in the 19th century. Daily tours are provided to over 15 historic sites and museums, such as the B.W. Edwards Weapons Museum and Blacksmith Shop.

Relax and enjoy your stay at the Historic Washington Jailhouse Bed & Breakfast and enjoy a Southern cooked meal for lunch at Williams’ Tavern Restaurant. Also available on-site is the 1914 Schoolhouse bunkroom for group rentals, and the historic 1860 Brunson House and 1940 WPA Gymnasium for weddings and meeting space for groups of all sizes.

To learn more about upcoming historic tours, events, rent a facility, or book a room in the Jailhouse Bed & Breakfast, visit HistoricWashingtonStatePark.com or call 870-983-2684.  The park is located on US 278 Highway, nine miles north of Hope and can be reached by taking Exit 30 off Interstate 30.