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A Mysterious Trunk We received a phone call out of the blue almost a month ago from a small museum in Texarkana explaining they were cleaning their inventory area and discovered a large trunk with our return address on it. Would we like it back? We inquired to the contents and were told it contained … Continue reading »

The Smithsonian is Here! For the past six months, Old Independence Regional Museum has been working arduously to present our patrons with an outstanding exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street we are calling “A Taste of Community”. This exhibit’s focus is on food and how it defines us, shows our individuality, but, … Continue reading »

Poor Farm Cemetery In 1851, an Arkansas law for “indoor relief” for the poor was enacted. This was the basis for the Poor Farm in Independence County. With access to 120 acres of land purchased by Independence County along with an 18’ x 20’ log cabin constructed for $143.75, the idea became a reality and … Continue reading »

Bowling for Food Gay King arrived last week with several mementos from her father’s, Mr. C. T. Bennet’s, collection. From his earliest childhood christening gown to his foot locker filled with dress uniforms, Mr. Bennet’s life is spelled out in his clothing. This particular artifact is a bowling shirt made of fine Egyptian cotton. The … Continue reading »

The Rise and Fall of Arkansas’s Pearling Industry Old Independence Regional Museum is giving many of its exhibits new life. The Depression-Era Back Porch exhibit is currently being transformed into a Fishing Shack. We have oral and written histories on fishing, shelling, pearling, and button manufacturing along with a collection of artifacts to showcase in … Continue reading »