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The Fort Smith Museum of History, in partnership with University of Arkansas–Fort Smith, invites the public to the opening program for Arkansas Arkansaw: A State and Its Reputation on Tuesday, June 9, at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available through fortsmithmuseum.org. Admission is free for FSMH members.The evening will feature special guest speaker Tom Wing, Assistant Professor of History at UAFS and Director of the Drennen-Scott House. A museum professional, historian, and award-winning preservationist with nearly three decades of experience, Wing is widely recognized for his work in public history, interpretation, and historic preservation. He has appeared on the Discovery Channel, History Channel, Smithsonian Channel, and PBS, and has spent more than 20 years teaching history at UAFS.
Developed by the Old State House Museum as part of the Arkansas Heritage traveling exhibit program, Arkansas Arkansaw: A State and Its Reputation is inspired by the acclaimed book by Brooks Blevins. The exhibition explores the myths, humor, folklore, and popular culture that shaped Arkansas’s national image as a rugged, isolated, and often misunderstood place.
Through literature, music, tourism, media portrayals, and storytelling traditions such as “The Arkansas Traveler” and “The Big Bear of Arkansas,” the exhibit examines how Arkansas became associated with hillbillies, moonshiners, frontier life, and backwoods folklore. It also challenges visitors to look beyond stereotype and consider the complex cultural identity of the state and the role popular culture plays in shaping regional reputation.
Featuring artifacts, imagery, music, and interpretive materials, the exhibit offers visitors an engaging and thought-provoking look at how Arkansas has been viewed—both by outsiders and by Arkansans--or Arkansawyers, themselves.
Light refreshments will be available.
For additional information or tickets, visit fortsmithmuseum.org
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Event Venue
320 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith, AR, United States, Arkansas 72901
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