Correction: Union Station is home to the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Historical Museum. This article misidentified the name of the building, which is listed incorrectly on the museum's website.
PINE BLUFF -- Officials with the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Historical Museum are searching for a new leader after the facility's director abruptly resigned.
Kristi Alexander had led the museum since February 2011 and didn't give any specific reason for leaving in her letter of resignation Dec. 1. The museum remained closed for several days after her departure but has since reopened part time, County Judge Dutch King said Friday.
Jefferson County budgets more than $25,000 annually to fund the museum, which opened in 1980 in a single room inside the Jefferson County Courthouse. In 1991, the museum moved to the 1906 Union Pacific Depot, a building on the National Register of Historic Places.
"This facility is very important to us because so much of our history resides inside," King said of the museum. "You can go back to our earliest beginnings with artifacts, leading up to the history of football programs throughout our county. It's a really neat place to see if you have never been."
One of the most notable displays tells the life story of Willie K. Hocker, the Wabbaseka teacher who is credited with designing the Arkansas flag in the 1920s. Museum visitors can view photos of Hocker along with her original designs for the flag.
There are also many Civil War artifacts at the museum.
Bob Purvis, vice president of the museum's board of commissioners, said the board has begun a search to replace Alexander and is refining the requirements for the position.
The board will meet Thursday to finalize those plans. In addition, Purvis said the board will likely authorize the immediate hiring of a part-time employee who can be at the museum at least three days a week.
"We only have one hired position, and that's the director," Purvis said.
"We work strictly with volunteers, and a lot of times it's difficult to coordinate schedules and things. Our main goal is to make sure the museum is open for the public to come see the history of our area."
Jenny Bradford of White Hall was disappointed last week when she found the museum closed on Monday afternoon. She had taken her young son there so he could see the Civil War artifacts.
"He is a history buff already, at age 7," Bradford said. "I sure hope they can figure out a way to open this place full time. It is so full of great things, and it's important for our children to see them."
State Desk on 12/15/2014