Arkansas historic courthouses are special treasures of Arkansas history. Here at Jacksonport State Park, the restoration of Jacksonport courthouse provided us with stories of families, towns and local events which are similar to family stories and events we experience today. Courthouses became important to the local residents by providing a source of commerce for local businesses and drama through court trials. Experience the thrills and drama of Jacksonport Courthouse by attending the history event, “Jacksonport Courthouse; History Made Here”, Thursday, May 2nd through Saturday, May 4th at the courthouse.
Jacksonport State Park is presenting a history event on the Jacksonport Courthouse. . Visit with the costumed court clerk and participate in the voting of raising a local tax for a new county jail then pay your taxes with gold coins. Take a tour of the original town site with costume tour guide and experience old Jacksonport during its peak. Tour the courthouse with a park interpreter and hear the stories of discovery during the two restorations. Meet with the park curator to see and experience the restoration of historic artifacts. Tour the steamboat landing and experience the excitement of the steamboat industry and learn to card cotton. These are some of the activities family and friends can experience at this historical event on Thursday, May 2nd and Friday, May 3rd.
Saturday, May 4th, starts at 10: 00 a.m. with Jane Thompson a guest speaker from Arkansas History Commission. Her presentation covers the how to on restoring damaged family heirlooms, photographs to books, from floods. At 11:00 a.m., Angela Gibbs, our park curator, demonstrates the proper care and use of your family treasures. In the afternoon, take a tour of the courthouse on the restoration at 1:00 p.m. with park interpreter and also visit with the court clerk. At 2:00 p.m. tour the original town site with a costume tour guide.
School groups plan to attend the event on Thursday, May 2nd and Friday, May 3rd from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. is for all visitors. All three days of the event are free of charge. There is limited accessibility for visitors with disabilities.
The event is sponsored by the Jackson County Historical Society and this program was made possible in part by a grant from the Department of Arkansas Heritage funded by your 1/8 cent conservation tax, Amendment 75.
For further information on this special event, contact Park Interpreter Donna Bentley, Jacksonport State Park, 205 Avenue Street, Newport, AR 72112. Phone: (870) 523-2143, E-mail: donna.bentley@arkansas.gov.
