Liberty Cemetery Circa 1909

Liberty Cemetery rests among the trees south of Highway 96 on the eastern edge of Greenwood. At one time, Old Highway 96 (now the northernmost lane in the cemetery) formed its northern boundary.  It looked much different in 1909 (see photo). Gone is the garden gate and gone are the fences and walls that marked family plots.

Join us Sunday, October 14 at 2 PM at Liberty Cemetery as we step back in time and celebrate the lives of eight Greenwood citizens You'll learn about the cemetery's history, a family's Civil War mystery, a family's Civil War tragedy, the workings of a pottery, how the city's first Boy Scout Troop was established and much more. Admission by donation. Proceeds benefit the South Sebastian County Historical Society.

Thanks for a Wonderful Season

Thanks to our patrons, volunteers, Board Members and SSCHS members for a great 2010 Museum season. We'll reopen Thursday, May 5, 2011. In the interim, we'll be busy gussying up and putting together Civil War exhibits for next year.

Come see us at the Fall Fest next Saturday at Bell Park. We'll be glad to tell you about the Historical Society and the Museum Complex and will have Key magazines, tee shirts and books for sale.

When The Old School Bell Rings

With the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year, thoughts go to the early days of education in South Sebastian County. The Old Jail Museum's document room has an exhibit of early school records, photos and artifacts. The Redwine Pioneer Schoolhouse evokes memories of the days when children of all ages were educated in a single room. The Schoolhouse contains items used by teachers and students and many photos of old county schools.

The Greenwood School District's website has an interesting history of education in the city.


Copies of Mr. Redwine's book, "When the Old School Bell Rings" are available for purchase at the Old Jail Museum. Open Thursday-Satuday May 1- October 31, 11 AM- 3 PM.

Museum Featured in Online Encyclopedia

The brochure of the South Sebastian County Historical Society has been uploaded to the Arkansas Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Future articles on the Old Jail Museum and the Society are forthcoming.

The Search for Sarah: Author Nancy Dane Helps Sarah's Name Endure

There are many chapters of Civil War orphan Sarah Ann Campbell's life that we do not know- and may never know. But her name will live on thanks to author Nancy Dane. Nancy has been writing a novel about a six year old Fort Smith, Arkansas girl who was shipped north by steamboat when her parents were killed by bushwhackers. Nancy had called her Sarah. Now Nancy has given her a last name- Campbell.

We have shared photos of Sarah's uncle's family and the letters exchanged during the two decades that Uncle Samuel Pevehouse Campbell and Sarah's sister and husband searched for Sarah across Illinois. We hope the story of Greenwood's Sarah will be an inspiration to Nancy as she weaves this tale of Arkansas's Civil War days.

Nancy Dane is the author of three novels and one documentary about the Civil War in Arkansas. All of Nancy's books are being used as curriculum in Arkansas public schools. Read more about Nancy at www.nancydane.com .

Photo of unknown Civil War era mother and daughter from Library of Congress.

Walking the Talk

We suggested you put your own family stories on paper or into digital files of one type or another. We're practicing what we preach. The South Sebastian County Historical Society has begun collecting oral histories of South Sebastian County citizens. Residents are sharing their family stories and memories of South Sebastian County. Greenwood High School senior Erika Lindsay is shooting, editting and producing. Historian Glenda Wallace and Curator Donna Goldstein are interviewing. Our plan is to develop a library of digital family and community histories that will be available for viewing at the Old Jail Museum.

For more information, email curator.sschistoricalsociety@gmail.com

"Climate Change" at the Old Jail Museum

The South Sebastian Historical Society maintains historical documents in a library on the second floor of the Old Jail Museum. The twenty-four inch thick sandstone walls and flat roof of the jail have created a climate control challenge for the Society. Recently, a dehumidifier was installed. It has been effective in bringing the relative humidity within the library to the recommended 30-50% level. Many thanks to Rich McKinney and his assistant Joel Goldstein for their help in selecting and installing the equipment. In our next post, we'll discuss the documents available for research in the Old Jail's Document Room.

Greenwood...Scenes from the Past

The face of Greenwood has changed over the years. Today's photo shows one of the large homes that graced the city. As the caption says, this was the home of the Benjamin Dawson family. It was believed to be the Methodist parsonage at one time. The Dawsons added the rear portion of the structure. The home was struck by lightning and was razed in 1969.
This photo courtesy of
the Key Magazine (1971 edition), a publication of the South Sebastian County Historical Society. "Keys" can be purchased at the Old Jail Museum during operating hours.

Keep a Journal, Write a Letter

Much of what we know about our forebears we've learned from their writings- daybooks, log books, diaries, letters. We live in a world of electronic communication. It's doubtful that much of it will survive into the next century.
It's time to think about beginning a written record for your family. A daily journal is a good way to begin. If you have old letters, save them. If you have none, write some. Your words will be treasured one day.

We have two such items displayed at the Old Jail Museum in our Post Office display. One is a postcard from a young Jenny Lind woman to her sweetheart at the turn of the century. The other is a letter written to his parents from a local soldier serving in Germany during WWI. When elementary school children visited the Old Jail in May, many commented that they had never seen a letter.

Rain Didn't Dampen Spirits

>
The celebrants of Freedomfest 2010 were not deterred by a little rain. Brave folks with umbrellas ventured out and enjoyed the morning's festivities. By mid afternoon, the sun was shining and the Square was rocking to the sounds of “Mr. Cabbage Head and the Screaming Radishes”, “Common Thread”, “10 Spur” and “Fordamatic."

The Old Jail Museum had a steady stream of visitors. Many youngsters were guided by docents through the displays of artifacts from South Sebastian County's early days. They asked insightful questions. Here's hoping they left with a new interest in history!

Celebrate Our Freedom July 3

Free trolley rides with a tour guide will be one highlight of Greenwood's Fourth of July celebration- occuring this year on July 3. When the bell clangs and the trolley stops at the Old Jail, step off the trolley and into the 19th century. Our docents will be happy to show you around. Admission is by donation. Hours July 3, 9AM-6PM.

The City of Greenwood has an old-fashioned fun-filled day planned on the town square. See you there!

9:00 AM Turtle Race- BYOT (bring your own turtle)
Firecracker Walk (musical chairs)
Hubba Bubba Bubble Gum Contest
9:30 AM Watermelon Roll
Soap Bubble Buckets
10:00 AM Sack Races, Three Legged Races
10:30 AM Hoola Hoop Contest
Double Dutch Jump Rope Contest
11:00 AM Sponge Run
Uncle Sam Says (Simon Says)
11:30 AM Water Balloon Toss
Big Ball Balance Run
Noon Free lunch! (Hot dogs, chips, drinks, ice cream)
1:30 PM Free music events begin and run through 11 PM
9:15 PM Fireworks!

Make the Museum Part of Your Holiday Celebration

The Old Jail Museum Complex is extending its hours Saturday, July 3, from 9AM-6PM. Admission is by donation. Come see our exibits including WWI, WWII and Civil War artifacts, as you reflect upon and celebrate our liberty. Our 1848 Vineyard Log Cabin, Old Barn, and Redwine Old Schoolhouse remind us of the sacrifices and joys of pioneer life in rural America.

ESA Presents Gift to South Sebastian County Historical Society

Kay Voss and Martha Beshears of Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) presented a check in the amount of $2,100 to Ruth McConnell, Chairman of the South Sebastian County Historical Society at the group's June 21 meeting. The donation represented the proceeds from the first annual "Airing of the Quilts" show. Mrs. Voss and Chairman McConnell announced that the show will become an annual event, held in May. McConnell expressed the Society's appreciation for the generous donation and the group's enthusiasm about establishing this new tradition and friendship with the wonderful ladies of ESA.

"Barrington"

The museum is honored to receive the donation of an autographed edition of Edward Tatum Wallace's autobiographical novel "Barrington."

"Barrington" is said to be a tale of early day Greenwood. Set in "Seba County" on the banks of the Vache Grasse, it is hard to believe otherwise.

The author was born and reared in Greenwood. He authored three books and was a popular writer for New York City area newspapers during the 1940s and 1950s. He retired from the Daily News in 1975 and passed away in 1976.*

The book is available for research purposes in the document room at the Old Jail Museum.


* University of Arkansas Retrospective 2008 (Annual Report)

Airing of the Quilts: May 15, 2010

Scattered showers welcomed visitors to Greenwood's first annual "Airing of the Quilts," but a few raindrops didn't dampen their enthusiasm. Visitors from across the state, and as far away as Texas, California and New Mexico, enjoyed the artistry of quilters at four historic sites. Proceeds from the event, sponsored by Alpha Delta ESA, benefitted the South Sebastian County Historical Society.