It turns out that Arkansas' history as a state roughly coincides with the age of an old house on an acre of ground in Van Buren, Ark.
There were a lot fewer Arkansans back when the old house was still new, for it's believed to have been built around 1837, which would make it the second-oldest home in that storied city. But its exact age is yet to be determined. This much is clear: The old house, like Arkansas itself, is well worth preserving. Which is just what the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith is planning to do.
Happily, Tom Wing--an assistant history professor at the university--has devoted himself to determining just how old this old house is, and he sounds optimistic about dating this historic treasure: "When you put tree-ring information with the archaeology, with the history," says the professor, "then you get a really good picture of what happened and what was going on."
His findings will surely be fascinating. As for those who can't wait for the result of his research, patience is advised.
Having waited this long for history to catch up with it, this old Arkansas home can surely wait a little longer.
Editorial on 06/20/2017