September 2019 Events – Fort Smith Museum of History

Fort Smith Museum of History

Ice Cream Social

Sunday, September 1st 2:00-4:00 pm

It’s that time again! Join us for our end-of-summer tradition!! Our Ice Cream Social will be held on Sunday, September 1st from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Come build your own personal ice cream sundae with a variety of tasty toppings in the museum’s authentic, old-fashioned ice cream parlor. Tickets are 5.00 per person and include museum admission for that afternoon.

Come see the new additions and updates happening at the Fort Smith Museum of History and enjoy a taste of Yarnell’s Ice Cream–a treat made in Arkansas since 1932!

Tickets for this event are purchased at the door.
All proceeds benefit the Fort Smith Musuem of History


Thursday September 5th

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Fort Smith Museum of History

320 Rogers Ave

479-783-7841

Book signing and program with retired circuit Judge Jim Spears. Program begins at 6:00 p.m.

Judge Jim Spears will give a presentation, Q&A portion, and book singing at the end of the evening. Books are for sale in the gift shop for 15.00 (16.46 retail) (16.50 tax included night of book signing)

Cost: Adults (16 and up), $7.00, Children 6-15, $2.00 children, under 6 are free. Free to UAFS Students and members of the Fort Smith Museum of History.

His book, “Yearning to Breathe Free: A Judicial History of the Cuban Relocation Project Fort Chaffee, Arkansas 1980-‘82”, chronicles his experience as an adjunct Federal Public Defender for the Cuban Relocation Project at Fort Chaffee Arkansas, from September 1980 through February 1982.

The below if further info:

Bio: Jim D. Spears is a retired circuit judge who served the 12th Judicial District comprised of Sebastian County for 24 years. He previously served for 10 years as an administrative law judge for the Arkansas Workers Compensation Commission. In addition to private practice he was also an adjunct Federal Public Defender for the Cuban Relocation Project at Fort Chaffee Arkansas, from September 1980 through February 1982. He is a graduate of Westark Junior College (A.A. 1966); Arkansas Tech University (BA Hist/Pol.Sci 1968) and the University of Arkansas School of Law (JD 1973). He has had a life-long love of history and politics. He is married to the former Dixie Bean a native of Rogers, AR and they have two children and four grandchildren.

Blurbs for the book:

Jim Spears, (Attorney, Public Defender and former Judge), assembles his case, gathers overwhelming evidence, and consults a long line of witnesses to set the record straight on the Cuban Refugees at Fort Chaffee, a forgotten and misunderstood story that cast Fort Smith in the national spotlight, involved the Ku Klux Klan, almost cost William Jefferson Clinton his political career, and contributed to President Carter’s defeat by Ronald Reagan.

Tom Wing, Professor of History, UAFS

Blurbs for the book: 

Yearning to Breathe reads like a novel, but this story really happened. Jim Spears’ research is impeccable, and the compelling stories he tells are enriched with first person quotes. The photographs are poignant, breathing empathy into this largely forgotten chapter in our history. Stories like this should not be lost, and Judge Spears has done yeoman’s work in making sure we remember a time when anxiety was high and fear of an onslaught of mostly unwelcome immigrants, was acute.

Larry Foley, Chair


Boston Store Tea Room and Vintage Style Show Benefit Slated for the Fort Smith Museum of History Fundraiser

Hardscrabble Country Club

Boston Store Tea Room

Saturday, September 14, 2019

11am-1pm

Many Fort Smith ladies fondly remember the Boston Store, the fabulous department store once located on Garrison Avenue.  Especially popular was the Boston Store Tea Room, where delectable sandwiches and desserts were served in an elegant atmosphere.  The Fort Smith Museum of History will present a recreation of this fond memory at Hardscrabble Country Club on Saturday, September 14th from 11:00 a.m.-1:00p.m. A trip down memory lane will include a fabulous Tea Room inspired buffet, a fashion show of vintage clothing once purchased at the Boston Store, as well as accessories and memorabilia on display. View wonderful dresses, suits, coats, furs, and accessories modeled by museum supporters. A $50.00 reservation includes Tea Room favorites such as three-ring circus, castle sandwiches, quiche lorraine, crepes, baked fudge, blondies and many other delectable treats reminiscent of the original menu.

Originally doing business as Baer Brothers beginning in 1879, the fine store offered shoppers quality merchandise not previously associated with Western Arkansas.  The tradition of offering fine goods continued with the Boston Store on Garrison Avenue. Owner Rudolph Ney quickly developed a reputation for “doing something extra” for customers.  The store continued to provide fine goods at the Garrison Avenue location until 1972, when it moved into the newly opened Central Mall. In 1984, the Boston Store closed its doors for good, ending a long tradition in Fort Smith.

Join the Fort Smith Museum of History to celebrate and remember the tradition of the beloved Boston Store in Fort Smith.  For reservations, please visit fortsmithmuseum.org, come by the museum at 320 Rogers Avenue in Fort Smith, or call 479-783-7841 to pay by phone.


Saturday September 21st

 

Fort Smith Museum of History

320 Rogers Ave

Fort Smith, AR

479-783-7841

 

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Free Admission to Fort Smith Museum of History with Smithsonian Museum Day ticket

Museum Day is an annual celebration of boundless curiosity hosted by Smithsonian magazine. Participating museums and cultural institutions across the country provide free entry to anyone presenting a Museum Day ticket. The Museum Day ticket provides free admission for two people on Saturday, September 21, 2019.

Tickets will be available to download on  August 15, 2019.

Tickets may be presented as paper copy or as a download from your mobile device.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/search/?q=

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/search/?q=&states=US::AR&cities=Fort%20Smith&


 

Saturday September 28th 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Fall Festival in partnership with the Fort Smith National Historic Site

Parker Presentation at 11:00 a.m. @ Fort Smith Museum of History

In partnership with the Fort Smith Trolley Museum, Judgment Town, Fort Smith Museum of History, and others, the Fort Smith National Historic Site will be hosting the 2nd Annual Fort Smith Fall Festival. This is the largest ‘historical themed’ event in Fort Smith and all members of the public will find something to interest them. Events at the National Historic Site will be taking place from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, September 28th.

At 11:00 a.m. on Saturday September 28th, at the Fort Smith Museum of History, re-enactors Floyd and Sue Robinson, who portray Judge and Mrs. Parker, will present a program about the family of Judge Isaac C. Parker. Artifacts of the Parker family will be on display.

Self-guided tours will be available on the 28th at the Fort Smith Museum of History from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. for regular admission prices.

Cost: Adults (16 and up), $7.00; Children 6-15, $2.00; children under 6 are free. Free to UAFS Students and members of the Fort Smith Museum of History.

 

 

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