Davidsonville Historic State Park Upcoming Legacy Week and September Events
Ranger in the Campground
Friday, August 30, 2019- 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Meeting Place: Campground Fire Ring
Come gather ’round the fire and make yourself at home while you enjoy this evening program. We’ll learn a little, and while away an hour with laughter and fellowship in the historical tradition. Meet Park Interpreter Geoffrey at the campground fire ring for a program about Davidsonville and an interesting lesson on the park’s historical or natural features.
Historic Crafting for Kids
Saturday, August 31, 2019- 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Meeting Place: Education Center
Cost: $5 per person
Join park staff at Davidsonville and get creative with art supplies as we go historical. We’ll make flatboats like the Davidsonville Settlers would have used, play with yarn to create kids’ toys, and connect the past to the present while having fun. Crafts require use of glue and paint, so dress appropriately and get ready to make a little mess. Space for each session is limited and early registration is recommended. This program is perfect for families, kids of all ages, and those who are still kids at heart.
Nature Craft Afternoon
Saturday, August 31, 2019- 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Meeting Place: Education Center
Cost: $5 per person
Join park staff at Davidsonville and get creative with the art supplies that nature provides. We’ll use twigs, leaves, twine, grasses, and more to create unique trinkets to showcase whatever you might like. Crafts require use of glue and paints, so dress appropriately and get ready to make a little mess. Space for each session is limited and early registration is recommended. This program is perfect for families, kids of all ages, and those who are still kids at heart.
Historic Games and Outside Fun
Sunday, September 01, 2019- 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Meeting Place: Visitor Center Porch
Come when you can and bring the whole family out for a fun morning at Davidsonville to learn how kids of all ages kept themselves entertained two hundred years ago. Relay races, the game of graces, toys, and other activities will provide opportunities to face off against family, friends, and fellow park visitors. This program is great for parents who need some quiet “coffee” time before packing up the camper to head home from the weekend.
All About Explosions
Monday, September 02, 2019- 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Meeting Place: Historic Townsite
Join Park Interpreter Geoffrey for an explosive hour of history and weapons demonstrations. More than just an artillery demonstration, this talk will dress participants up and put them in the driver’s seat of an artillery drill from the 1800s. Discover how a cannon fragment became an artifact in the park’s visitor center and become part of an artillery crew for an afternoon. Parental safety note, all kids are welcome. Live firing of the piece will only be conducted with parental permission by those 12 and older.
Historic Baking Workshop
Saturday, September 21, 2019- 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Meeting Place: Visitor Center Porch
Cost: $10 per person
Join park staff for an afternoon of delectably historic baking. We’ll prepare and bake several treats and discuss how to build and use an earthen oven. Early sign-ups are required for the program and space is limited.
Davidsonville Historic State Park
7953 Hwy 166 South
Pocahontas, AR 72455
Phone: (870) 892-4708
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 serves on the Arkansas Travel Council Board of Directors, is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs’ current publicity 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.