SSCHS Compiles Photo Record of Civil War Graves

The South Sebastian County Historical Society is compiling photo documentation of Civil War gravestones in South Sebastian County. The records will be housed in the Old Jail Museum and will be available to persons researching family history or the Civil War. To submit photos of family members' graves, please mail 4 x 6 photo labeled on the back with soldier's name, name of cemetery and unit, if known, to SSCHS, Attention: Curator, P.O. Box 523, Greenwood AR 72936.

Wilkinson Loans Enfield Rifle to Museum

Greenwood businessman and former legislator Ed Wilkinson has loaned an 1863 Enfield Rifle-Musket to the Old Jail Museum for display during the 2011 season. The rifle was the second most common rifle of the Civil War. It was obtained by the Confederate Army through the British until it became apparent that the Confederates were going to lose the war.

The 2011 season's theme is "Struggle and Strife: South Sebastian County Families in the Civil War Era." The museum opens May 5.

Meryl Ware Presents "Encyclopedia of Arkansas"

A large and enthusiastic crowd of members and guests enjoyed Meryl Ware's presentation on the "Encyclopedia of Arkansas" Monday evening at the SSCHS monthly meeting. Meryl, a media specialist with Greenwood Schools, discussed the content and navigation of the site. It is a treasure trove of information and contains several articles regarding South Sebastian County events, places and people. Meryl discussed the need for the addition of an article on the 1968 Greenwood tornado.

In other news, the 2010 issue of The Key is at the printer and is expected to be received and distributed soon! Many thanks to editor Carrah Efurd for her hard work on this issue.

SSCHS Meets Monday, February 21

The South Sebastian County Historical Society meets Monday evening at 7 PM at the VFW on the Square in Greenwood. Our presenter will be Meryl Ware, Media Specialist with the Greenwood Schools. Meryl will lead members and visitors on a virtual tour of the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, an online resource.

Please join us. Refreshments and fellowship follow the meeting.

In the meantime, we're dusting, cataloging and preparing exhibits for our May opening. Always an exciting time for us!

Twenty-Five Family Cemeteries Lie Within Fort Chaffee

We frequently receive requests for information regarding the many family cemeteries that lie within Fort/Camp Chaffee. The myth is that the cemeteries can only be visited on Decoration Day. The fact is that they can be visited virtually any day of the year, but advance arrangements are required. The facility is now known as Fort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center and is used primarily as a training facility by regional National Guard and Army Reserve units as well as active military units from other installations.

Because military training maneuvers may be occurring at any time, it is necessary for potential visitors to contact the Fort and obtain permission to visit. You will be required to sign in, state the nature of your visit and participate in a short briefing. You will also be required to sign out. While that may sound daunting, don't be discouraged. You will find the personnel friendly and helpful. They may even guide you to the cemetery.

Because Decoration Day is a popular day for visits, we are posting last year's schedule here. It is anticipated that the 2011 schedule will remain similar. Please be advised that you must call the phone numbers below to arrange your visit during these times or to discuss sites not included in the document.

Cemetery/ Gate/ Access Route/ Decoration Date

White/Shelby/ 1 / Hwy 22/ First weekend in May
Coleman/ 30/ Hwy 10 Burnsville/ First weekend in May
Center Valley/ 47 / Hwy 22 Bloomer/ First weekend in May
Speegle/ 47/ Hwy 22 Bloomer/ First weekend in May
Lone Star/ 30/ Hwy 10 Burnsville/ Second weekend in May
White/Shelby/ 1/ Hwy 22/ Second weekend in May
Jones/ 26/ Hwy 96/ Second weekend in May
Spencer/ NA/ Rattlesnake Rd/ Second weekend in May
McConnell/ 12/ Hwy 96/ Second weekend in May
Ward/ 47/ Hwy 22 Bloomer/ Third weekend in May
Oak Valley/ NA/ Hwy 96/ Third weekend in May
Pleasant Ridge/ NA/ Rattlesnake Rd/ Third weekend in May


To arrange your visit, please call the Range Control Fire Desk at 1-479-484-2362 or Mike Whitson at 1-479-484-3136.

Won't You Join Us?

Vice president Glenda Wallace has been busy booking presenters for our 2011 meetings. We'll be posting the dates and topics/speakers soon. The topics, in observance to the Sesquicentennial, are Civil War related. Won't you consider joining us?

The South Sebastian County Historical Society meets the third Monday of each month. This month's meeting will be February 21 at 7:00 PM at the VFW on the Square in Greenwood. The presentation will be a virtual tour of internet resources for county history. As always, refreshments will be served following the meeting.

We encourage you to become a member. Dues are $15 for individuals and $25 for families. Other options include Supporting Memberships ($50), Contributing Memberships ($100) and Liftime Memberships ($250). Your dues entitle you to a copy of the Society's annual publication, The Key. Dues can be mailed to SSCHS, P. O. Box 523, Greenwood AR 72936.

"Index Arkansas" Link Added

Today we've added a link to Index Arkansas. Index Arkansas is a project of the Special Collections Department of the University of Arkansas. It is an index of journals, bulletins and historical resources of Arkansas county history. We hope this will be of interest to those of you researching Sebastian County history.