FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                    Contact: Angela Gibbs

February 10, 2023                                                                                    870-523-2143 | angela.gibbs@arkansas.gov

Jacksonport State Park to host opening of ‘Personalities of the Past’ exhibit

Event to feature guest speakers from the Arkansas State Archives

(JACKSONPORT, Ark.) – Jacksonport State Park will host a grand opening event for its new exhibit “Personalities of the Past” on Saturday, March 4, from 10 a.m. to noon at the park’s Courthouse Museum. The exhibit highlights the rich history of the people of Jackson County. Guest speakers from the Arkansas State Archives will share information about the agency’s vast resources and how visitors can research their own family stories.

“Personalities of the Past” draws on varied resources such as census records, newspapers and archival materials to tell the story of the people of Jackson County. The exhibit touches on the area’s “great and good” and “famous and the infamous,” while revealing surprising connections between them all.

Refreshments will be served at the event.

Jacksonport State Park

Jacksonport was an important trade center in early Arkansas due to its location near the confluence of the Black and White rivers. During the Civil War, Confederate and Union forces occupied the town due to its strategic location. Jacksonport became the county seat in 1852, and the restored courthouse now stands as a museum.

Arkansas State Parks

Arkansas State Parks is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. Arkansas state parks and museums cover 55,006 acres of forest, wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation facilities, and unique historic and cultural resources. Established in 1923, Arkansas State Parks preserve special places for future generations, provide quality recreation and education opportunities, enhance the state’s economy through tourism and provide leadership in resource conservation. Connect with ASP on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and visit ArkansasStateParks.com and ArkansasStateParks.com/media to learn more.

Arkansas State Archives

The Arkansas State Archives is an agency of Arkansas Heritage charged with collecting material bearing on the history of Arkansas from the earliest times; copying and editing official records and other historical material; and encouraging historical work and research by the public. Arkansas Heritage is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. 

Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism

The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism protects and promotes our state’s natural, cultural and historic assets, contributing to a thriving economy and high quality of life. It is made up of three divisions: Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Heritage and Arkansas Tourism. Mike Mills serves as the cabinet secretary for the department.