Powhatan Ghost Walks Reveal Haunted History of Lawrence County
POWHATAN, ARK. – October 19th is the date for Powhatan Historic State Park’s annual Ghost Walks event. This family-friendly fall event features spooky and spine-tingling tales told by costumed storytellers in candlelit historic buildings. This event has become a fall tradition in Lawrence County and this year is sure to be the best yet.
“Every story is based on true events that happened in Lawrence County. They are all taken from the historic records at the Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives that were previously kept in the courthouse. Some are dramatized or exaggerated, while with others the historical record is bone chilling enough,” said Park Interpreter Mick Haven.
The event begins at 7 p.m. on October 19th at Powhatan Historic State Park in Powhatan, Arkansas. Adult admission is $3. Child admission is $2. After purchasing tickets, visitors will go to each of the five historic buildings and hear three different spooky and ghostly stories in each building. Refreshments and snacks will be available for purchase as well.
Powhatan Historic State Park is located at 4414 Highway 25, Powhatan, AR 72458. The park features five historic buildings, exhibits, guided tours and other programs. Visit ArkansasStateParks.com to learn more.
Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. She was born in downtown Batesville in the late ’60s, located in one of the eight counties she now enjoys encouraging people to visit.
Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000.
After Drew became director, she took the region to the next level by helping the tourism organization create a new website and moved it from the old newspaper paper tabloid publication to a color magazine format. She helped open a visitor center for the Ozark Gateway, allowing visitors to pick up information from the entire state 24/7. Over the years, Drew has helped the organization meet new marketing goals, such as in- and out-of-state marketing, assuring that all 100,000 copies of their magazines are distributed each year.
In 2016, she assisted in creating the first Ozark Gateway Region Golf Classic. The tournament continues to grow each year, allowing the organization to expand its co-op program and helping each county have dedicated promotion. Drew stays busy at Ozark Gateway as the ad sales manager, magazine editor, day-to-day office operations, trade show representative, and magazine distribution representative, all while ensuring that the region is represented all over Arkansas and southern Missouri.
Drew was featured in several local and statewide publications over the years, as well as the 1997 cover of the Ozark Gateway Region tabloid, along with her then 4-year-old son, Jon. She has received several awards, such as the Batesville Rotarian of the Year in 2010 and a three-time Paul Harris Fellow.
She also has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years. She now serves as their co-election coordinator, helping with behind-the-scenes management of voting equipment, day-to-day election deadlines, and poll worker training.
Drew is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs’ current membership chair.
In March of 2018, Drew was honored with induction into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame for her many years of dedicated service to the tourism industry.