“Bass Reeves and Fort Smith’s African-American History”
- Ongoing: until Sunday, March 28, 2010
- Sunday: 1:00pm
- Tuesday: 10:00am
- Wednesday: 10:00am
- Thursday: 10:00am
- Friday: 10:00am
- Saturday: 10:00am
- Where: Fort Smith Museum of History, Fort Smith
- Cost: Free - $5
- Age limit: Not available
“Bass Reeves and Fort Smith’s African-American History,” Jan. 12 – March 28. As well as honoring legendary U. S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves, the museum’s annual Black History Month exhibit traces black history in Fort Smith from the establishment of the first fort in 1817 to present day. Through the exhibit, meet prominent families and everyday people who had an impact on the history of the area. The exhibit includes a lecture and book signing with Chicago based author Art Burton accompanied by T. Baridi Nkokheli, director of the Department of Sanitation, City of Fort Smith, who portrays Bass Reeves. This event is sponsored by the “Lincoln Echo,” “Entertainment Fort Smith” and the Bass Reeves Legacy Initiative.
The museum was founded by some of the city’s leading ladies, whose original intent was to save the commissary that was part of the fort. Up to that point, the commissary had been used for supplies, by explorers and soldiers, played a role in two wars, and served as an office for Federal Judge Isaac Parker.
“It is the oldest building still standing in Fort Smith. If it hadn’t been saved by the ladies, it would have been torn down,” Gramlich said. “They began collecting artifacts relevant to the history of Fort Smith at that same time. Through the years they collected a great number of artifacts. I remember as a child the building was just stuffed full.”
Originally known as the Old Commissary Museum, it eventually became the Museum of Fort Smith History and moved to its current location in 1979. “We were able to purchase the building at the time,” Gramlich added. “So we’re not only preserving Fort Smith history, but also a building that is part of the history of Fort Smith.”
The museum is housed in the former Atkinson-Williams Building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 101-year-old structure contains two large floors of exhibits and two floors devoted to preserving artifacts. The gift shop sells unique, locally produced pottery, crafts and prints of historic Fort Smith. Ice cream floats, sodas, and sundaes are popular in the 1920s replica pharmacy with its working soda fountain.
Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5.00 for adults, $2 for children 6-15, and free for children under 6. Admission is free to the lobby, where visitors can access the gift shop, pharmacy and soda fountain. It is fully handicapped-accessible using an elevator and ramps for easy access to all the exhibits. An entrance ramp is located at the South 4th Street entrance. The facility is available for group tours and for after-hours events by special arrangement. Visit the museum at 320 Rogers Ave. or phone 479-783-7841 for more information.
Nearby attractions include the Fort Smith National Historic Site, located a block away, and the Fort Smith Trolley. The historic site embraces the remains of two frontier forts and the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas. It also commemorates a significant phase of America's westward expansion, and today stands as a reminder of 80 turbulent years in the history of Federal Indian policy.
Tokens for trolley rides are available at the museum’s reception desk. The trolley runs through the downtown amid neighboring attractions and historic places of interest. The cost is $2 per adult and $1 per child.
This event was posted Feb. 14, 2010 and last updated March 10, 2010
