Nevada County Depot Museum hosts Territorial Arkansas exhibit

PRESCOTT – Territorial Arkansas: The Wild Western Frontier, a traveling exhibit that tells the story of Arkansas Territory, will be displayed at the Nevada County Depot Museum, 403 W. 1st Street S., now until December 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The traveling exhibit consists of 15 panels that explore the history of Arkansas Territory though the collections of the Arkansas State Archives and their branch archives, the Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives in Powhatan, and the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives in Washington.

On March 2, 1819, President James Monroe signed a congressional act that established Arkansas Territory from the southern portion of Missouri Territory. The new territory was a wild frontier on the western edge of the United States, where politicians settled debates by deadly duels. Formerly a colony of France and Spain, the land had only become part of the United States 16 years prior as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. After its creation, Arkansas Territory had an influx of settlers who established small communities and isolated homesteads. Territorial and county governments were set up, businesses opened, and workers of various trades moved to the territory to help it flourish. After 17 years as a territory, Arkansas was admitted to the Union on June 15, 1836, as the 25th state.

“I am very pleased that the Depot Museum is sharing Territorial Arkansas: The Wild Western Frontier with their visitors and community,” stated Dr. David Ware, the Arkansas State Archives’ Director. He continued, “Created to commemorate the Bicentennial of Arkansas Territory, this exhibit allows us to bring the incredible Arkansas Territory resources of the Arkansas State Archives to local communities throughout the state.”

The Arkansas State Archives offers several traveling exhibits that are displayed at museums, libraries, archives, schools, historical societies, and educational or cultural institutions around the state at no cost.

For more information about this or other programs at the Nevada County Depot Museum, call 870-887-5821, email TheDepotMuseum@gmail.com or visit TheDepotMuseum.org. The Nevada County Depot Museum is a 501 (c)3 non-profit humanities organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Prescott and Nevada County, Arkansas. The museum is located in the historic 1912 Missouri Pacific Depot and is open to the public Thursdays – Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed major holidays.