Visit Us at Fall Fest

Greenwood's annual Fall Fest takes place Sunday afternoon from 1-5 PM at Bell Park. Hope you'll visit our booth. We'd love to visit with you.

We'll be selling our 50th anniversary cookbook "Receipts to Recipes," which is full of recipes and photos from generations of Greenwood cooks, the 2011 Key Magazine, Christmas postcards featuring a snow-covered Redwine Pioneer Schoolhouse, and baked goods (pumpkin bread, banana bread, cookies and cakes by the slice).

Enjoy a hayride, pumpkin stacking, all those great festival foods, and lots of crafts.
See you there!

Living in the Past

The second annual Burie Treasure event was a fun-filled day for all. Many thanks to our presenters, our guides and our guests. And thanks, too, for your generous donations toward restoration of Greenwood's old Norwood Cemetery. As the event wrapped up we were surprised - and delighted- to receive an unexpected visit from members of the Norwood family. More about that later!

Looking forward to our next Buried Treasure event. Aiming for May!

Rain, Rain Go Away

Saturday's wet weather didn't deter members of the South Sebastian County Historical Society from rehearsing for their upcoming "Buried Treasure" event at Liberty Cemetery. The family-friendly Tales of the Crypt type event will go on rain or shine, Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2 PM at the cemetery, located at the intersection of Greenwood's Highway 96 and Ware Road. Actors will present biographies at the gravesites of eight  personalities who helped make Greenwood what it is today. Admission is by donation. Proceeds benefit the Historical Society.

While we're hoping for a sunny day, rain won't stop the show. In the event of bad weather, we will gather under the large brick pavilion on the west side of the cemetery. Parking will be on cemetery drive behind the pavilion on the west side of Ware Road.

Hope you can join us while we honor the memories of these citizens of yesterday.

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.

Trip to Devil's Backbone Mountain Ridge Battle Site

Isaac's clouds cleared just in time for Saturday's tour of the battlefield on Devil's Backbone Mountain Ridge. Larry Puckett, in a woolen Federal uniform on this warm late summer day, was our guide. Beginning the tour adjacent to Stroud Cemetery on Stroud Road in south Sebastian County, he showed participants where the old Waldron Road passed through the valley and began its ascent into the mountains. It was over this military road that troops and wagons passed on that fateful September 1 so many years ago.

The battlefield is accessed via Boone Road or Nickeltown Road, but is located on private property. Heavily wooded and rock and boulder covered, it is a rugged site. One can imagine the challenge of drawing a wagon or riding a horse or mule over the terrain. It is said some families earned their livelihoods rescueing travelers and repairing their vehicles throughout the history of the road. (It was used as recently as 1930.) As Larry recounts the story of the battle, we can envision Rebels hidden behind every boulder.

We think about the men who were conscripted, who, having little choice in the matter, fired upon men who were at times their neighbors, relatives or friends. We think about those who fell. And we think about those women and children who were left behind. And as we ponder, a tabby kitten clambered across the rocks, chasing a butterfly.

Two Sources of Inspiration

They say "it takes a village." It sure took a village to replace the museum's old split rail fence last spring. A team of Society members provided the muscle. Bobby Mizell provided the know-how. Under Bobby's direction, the group purchased split cedar rails, hand cut, made the old-fashioned way, the ones Bobby said were "just right."
With Bobby at the helm, the guys stacked the rails, stopping often to reposition the ones that Bobby said "needed fixing." It was a great exercise in teamwork with the guidance of an inspiring leader. In the background, as they worked,we could see the coal car that Bobby and wife Martha donated to the Society during the construction of the Coal Miner's Memorial. We lost Bobby last week. He will be remembered for many things, among them his determination, perseverance and drive to make sure everything was done "just right." Bobby's can-do attitude inspired us all. Thank you, Bobby.

 Bobby, far right, in red cap.

Bobby in red cap.

Inspiration of a different sort springs from the enthusiasm of Becky and Robert Walker and Marion Mathis of Mansfield's Dixie Theatre Restoration project. They shared their successes and challenges with the Historical Society last night. They have the lofty goal of restoring the old theatre and are moving full steam ahead. Find them on Facebook and read about their upcoming fundraiser. Hats off to this group for saving this beloved old building.

Saying Goodbye to a Dear Friend

Chances are you've seen our bronze coal miner statue at the Memorial on the Museum grounds. Someone had to pose for the sculptor. Our model was George "Bud" Lewis. Bud was former owner and CEO of the Quality Excelsior Coal Mine in Greenwood and board member of the National Coal Association, which made him a natural as our model. Bud was a "model" in many ways: in kindness, gentleness of spirit, friendliness and compassion. The Society lost a dear friend and colleague when he passed away August 3.

Bud was the husband of past president Sue Cravens Lewis and an active member of the Historical Society. He will be deeply missed.