The Butler Banner Newsletter of the Butler Center for Studies Volume 16 Number 4 Fall 2014 Butler Center Events Art Exhibitions Nov. 14, 2014–Feb. 28, 2015 Serving Arkansas, Of the Soil: Photographs by Geoff Winningham Butler Center Loft Gallery A collection of photographs Preserving Its History highlighting Arkansas’s n its archives, vernacular architecture the Butler Center Jan. 9–April 24, 2015 Reflections on Line and Mass Iholds the papers Butler Center West Gallery of governors, the Paintings and sculptures by noted handwritten wartime Arkansas artist Robyn Horn journals of soldiers Exhibitions open during each month’s Second Friday Art Night (2FAN), 5–8 on American soil and p.m. in the ASI building. overseas, works of Arkansas Sounds art by the famous and Fri., Nov. 21, 7:00 p.m. the lesser known, and Big Piph & Tomorrow Maybe countless other items CALS Ron Robinson Theater gathered over the Hip hop music with a full backing years by those who band—$15 care enough about Fri., Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. Meshugga Klezmer Band and the past to preserve Dave Rosen Sextet its artifacts and mate- CALS Ron Robinson Theater rials and give them a Non-denominational, inclusive YMCA building, built in 1905, at Capitol and Scott. holiday concert—Free safe home. This kind Fri., Jan. 9, 7:30 p.m. of care is also taken Velvet Kente Arkestra by those who donate records from nonprofit that contain minutes and reports of the Board of CALS Ron Robinson Theater organizations, as people who serve tireless- Directors of the Little Rock YMCA, mostly cov- Funk, soul, and rock fusion—$10 ly for the sake of many important missions ering the years from 1910 to 1990. Visit www.arkansassounds.org for more information. in the state also care deeply about preserv- The YMCA was founded in London, Eng- ing the history of their efforts. The Butler land, in 1844 to provide a refuge for Bible study Legacies & Lunch Center has already made available to re- and prayer for young men seeking escape from Noon – 1 p.m. searchers many collections from nonprofits, Wed., Nov. 5 the hazards of life on the streets. The organiza- Troy Poteete—A talk by director including the records of the Quapaw Quar- tion aimed to meet social needs in the city and of the National Trail of Tears ter, Poets’ Roundtable of Arkansas, Panel of to cross social-class barriers. The first YMCA Association and Cherokee Nation American Women, National Conference for in the United States opened in Boston in 1851, Supreme Court justice (co-hosted by the Clinton School of Public Community and Justice, and Fiction Writers and the Little Rock YMCA was established in Service); CALS Ron Robinson of Central Arkansas. The Butler Center will 1885. Included in the Butler Center’s collec- Theater also receive the records of the Arkansas Red tion are copies of the Constitution of the Little Wed., Dec. 3 Deb Crow & Jim Ross—The history Cross. Rock YMCA as it was written in 1901, as well of the Arkansas State Fair; Main Two collections in this same tradition as revised bylaws approved by the Little Rock Library’s Darragh Center have just been opened to researchers: the YMCA in the 1970s. The official documents of Wed., Jan. 7 Little Rock YMCA Records and the Central the board reflect the social history of Little Rock Ed Bethune—“Arkansas Autobiography” by the former Arkansas Chapter, National Audubon Soci- during two world wars, the Great Depression, U.S. congressman; Main Library’s ety Records. desegregation, and many other major events of Darragh Center the twentieth century. Finding Family Facts YMCA The Little Rock YMCA Records also contain A free genealogy course The collection of documents from documents that describe the efforts to place the Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12 the Young Men’s Christian Association YMCA building at the corner of 6th Street and 3:30 – 5 p.m.; ASI Room 204, (YMCA) of Little Rock comprises twenty- Broadway Avenue on the National Register of 401 President Clinton Ave. nine bound volumes and some loose papers Cont. on page 2 Cont. from Preserving History, p. 1 around 1987 to negotiate with Arkan- Historic Places, a goal reached in 1979, sas’s fish farmers regarding government as well as the further history of that build- agencies’ limits on the killing of water- ing. The YMCA originally met on the birds (such as egrets and herons); the second floor of a building at 4th and Main waterbirds were causing problems for the Streets. It then had a building (completed farmers by feasting on the young farmed by the firm of Charles L. Thompson in fish. The chapter also raised money in the 1905) at Capitol and Scott Streets. The 1980s to provide a reward for informa- “new” building (completed by the firm tion leading to the arrest and conviction of George Mann and Eugene John Stern of Arkansas residents who were maiming in 1928) became a Little Rock landmark. and killing wild birds. Like all the Butler Center’s manuscript The facility was closed in 1996, with the The Pulaski Snipe newsletter; circa collections, both the Central Arkansas space eventually converted to commer- 1970s. cial use. Work has been done, however, Chapter, National Audubon Society Re- to preserve and restore the historical detailed is a “crash bird course” that cords and the Little Rock YMCA Re- character of the building. helps spotters identify the roughly 350 cords can be accessed by the public in the species of birds that can be seen in Ar- Research Room of the Arkansas Studies Audubon Society . The records include official min- Institute (ASI) building. The Audubon Society of Central Ar- utes and reports from chapter meetings, kansas, a chapter of the National Audu- correspondence with other chapters and Continuing Efforts bon Society, was founded in 1952 as with the national organization, and re- According to Butler Center manager the Pulaski County Audubon Society. It cords of involvement in other local orga- David Stricklin, “Our research room in changed its name in 1981 to reflect the nizations, including the Little Rock Zoo, the ASI building has become one of the larger regional interest of the group. the Meadowcreek Project, the Arkansas best places in Arkansas to study the ef- Named for naturalist John James Audu- Nature Conservancy, and the Arkansas forts and benefits of nonprofits in Arkan- bon (who visited the Arkansas Territory Wildlife Federation. Correspondence sas. When you figure in the collections in 1820 and 1822, describing and depict- with government agencies, such as the held by the UALR Center for Arkan- ing the birds of the territory), the Nation- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission sas History and Culture with the Butler al Audubon Society focuses attention on and the state’s Department of Parks and Center’s total collections, there are more conservation of natural resources, with a Tourism, is also included. than sixty collections from nonprofits in particular emphasis on the wild birds of The chapter publishes a quarterly news- Arkansas available to researchers at the America. letter—originally called The Pulaski ASI. We’re very pleased to add these The Central Arkansas Chapter, Na- Snipe and since 1981 The Snipe—and the great materials to a large and vibrant tional Audubon Society Records include collection contains every copy from 1967 body of research resources.” The Butler many documents that illustrate the work through 1997. One of the more notable Center encourages other nonprofits to of the local chapter, such as field trips, subjects covered in the letters and other donate their records to preserve their im- films, programs, and workshops. Also documents is the efforts of the chapter portant work. n

Page 2 The Butler Banner The Butler Banner A Word from the Center is the quarterly newsletter of the David Stricklin, Manager of the Butler Center Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, aving been obsessed with ideas conference featured Billie Fogarty, who a department of the Central of time and place for many de- taught people about land records and Arkansas Library System cades, I’m always fascinated by tombstones, among other things, and H Mailing address the changing of the seasons and the way what they have to tell about the people 100 Rock St. those changes affect the landscape. At the who came to places, put their stamp on Little Rock, AR 72201 Butler Center, we have a lot of recurring those places, and then were put within events that drive on the very ground of Physical address into the future, irre- those places. It was Arkansas Studies Institute spective of seasonal a powerful event 401 President Clinton Ave. cues such as weath- that spread under- Little Rock, AR 72201 er, leaves on or off standing and skill. 501.320.5700 • [email protected] www.butlercenter.org the trees, or what That summarizes a kinds of gear people lot of what we try Printed and distributed with private funds. feel led to put on to do. Ali Welky: Editor their heads. Our events are Mike Keckhaver: Design Much of our time important to us. is spent planning, They connect the promoting, and Butler Center with carrying out our people who want events. The flag- David Stricklin (right) with country to know things. musician Suzy Bogguss, who was fea- ship of our monthly Sometimes, peo- Volume 16, Number 4 events is Legacies tured in our September Arkansas Sounds ple at these events & Lunch. We also concert, along with Arkansas Sounds communicate to us the reasons so many organizations have have genealogy coordinator John Miller. what they want to stopped doing it. Help us keep doing it— training events every month, and now know more about. Events, then, spawn or at least do it more efficiently—by let- we have a full-scale monthly concert. We other events or initiatives, or they inspire ting us know if you still wish to receive also offer dozens of presentations, work- us to create new resources. your copy by U.S. Mail or if you would shops, tours, and all kinds of other events I hope you will be able to attend one of like to help us save some money by re- throughout the year during which we tell our events soon. There are a lot of them, ceiving it by email. Send an email to our as you can tell from this newsletter (see outreach coordinator Kate Chagnon at the sidebar on page 1). Come see us and [email protected] so we can confirm ur events are find out what all the fuss is about! or amend your preference. Or, you can Oimportant to us. Speaking of newsletters and fuss, we drop me a note (and maybe include a do- are surely one of the last organizations nation...) at 100 Rock St., Little Rock, They connect the Butler with a paper newsletter. It is a very ex- 72201, to declare your allegiance to the Center with people who pensive thing to produce, which is one of paper version. n want to know things. people about Arkansas history and what Echoes of the Ancestors: Native American Objects from we are doing to preserve, interpret, and the share it with you. Then there are the annual events with great sweep and power to influence and guide those who want to know about the state’s past or improve their ability to get at it. For many years now, one of those Concordia Hall Gallery through March 15 events has been our summer genealogy An artistic display of objects created by Native Americans conference. That event has been guided in ceramics, wood, grass, cane, and shell materials. by our great colleague Rhonda Stewart, Butler Center Galleries are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. whose skill in genealogical research and Monday through Saturday and admission is free. passion for sharing her knowledge have been keystones of our success since she joined our staff in 2005. This year’s

The Butler Banner Page 3 Arkansas Vietnam War Project he Butler Center is proud family members of veterans, to announce a new ini- and civilians wanting to share Ttiative to document and memories of the war. We hope preserve the role of Arkansans to preserve photographs, letters, in the Vietnam War. This project diaries, and other documents to follows the award-winning on- help future generations under- line collection FORGOTTEN: stand the human side of this con- The Arkansas Korean War Proj- flict. ect and demonstrates the Butler Additionally, the Arkansas Center’s continued commitment Vietnam War Project will in- to collecting and disseminating clude an oral history component, the state’s military history. allowing veterans, family mem- More than 58,000 Americans bers, and civilians to share their were killed in the Vietnam War, personal memories of the war. including 592 Arkansans. The Highlights from the collection Vietnam War was complicated materials, as well as additional and often controversial, with information and questionnaires, guerrilla and chemical warfare, will be available online for easy intense bombing campaigns, access. atrocities, and political maneu- For more information or to fill vering—coupled with an un- out a questionnaire, visit www. popular draft and widespread butlercenter.org/arkansas-viet- protests. The war affected the nam-war-project. If you have United States in ways still felt questions or would like a ques- today. tionnaire mailed to you, contact The Butler Center wants to Brian Robertson, project direc- make contact with Arkansans tor, at [email protected] or (501) who served during the conflict, 320-5723. n Arkansas Vietnam War veteran Larry Weaver. Give the gift of Arkansas art! Paintings Sculpture Pottery Cards Jewelry and More

Butler Center Galleries 401 President Clinton Ave. Little Rock (501) 320-5790 Mon.–Sat., 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Page 4 The Butler Banner flash... Butler Center Events in the Spotlight

September’s Legacies & Lunch featured Marvin Schwartz discussing his new book We Wanna Boogie: The Rockabilly For October’s Legacies & Lunch, Roots of Sonny Burgess and the Nancy Hendricks talked about the For August’s Legacies & Lunch, Pacers (Butler Center Books, life of U.S. Senator Hattie Caraway. Frank Sata spoke about how 2014). his experiences as a child in an internment camp in Arkansas during World War II shaped the future for himself and his family. This lecture was held in the Ron Robinson Theater in partnership with the Clinton School of Public Service.

Dave Rosen Big Band—Arkansas Sounds concert series, July

Suzy Bogguss—Arkansas Sounds concert series, September

On September 16, the Butler Center hosted a Ben Nichols—Arkansas delegation of Russian archivists from the Boris Sounds concert series, Yeltsin Presidential Center who learned about August the various ways we manage our collections Editor Guy Lancaster and illustrator and connect with the community. They are Ron Wolfe at the signing table for the pictured here with Archival Assistant and AV/ September launch of Arkansas in Ink: AR Specialist Anna Lancaster. Gunslingers, Ghosts, and Other Graphic Tales (Butler Center Books, 2014).

The Butler Banner Page 5 Butler Center Books Make Great For the music lover on your The inside history of rock and Gifts! list—a photo-filled reference on roll pioneers and their origin in Arkansas music, past and present the river town of Newport

Encyclopedia of Arkansas entries paired with witty cartoons bring to life the wacky but true stories of Arkansas history.

In 1920, a sophisticated A German immigrant soldier California woman moves with marches through scorching her husband to an Arkansas summers and brutal winters cotton farm and weaves a to fight in savage Civil War keenly observant narrative in combat—and captures it all her letters home. in his journal.

Butler Center Books are available at River Market Books & Gifts on the Main Library campus in Little Rock and other local bookstores, through the University of Arkansas Press (via University of Press) at (800) 621-2736, Inspired by a 1937 map and travelogue, an author journeys and from online retailers. To see a complete list, through the unique cities of the South. please visit www.butlercenter.org/publication.

Page 6 The Butler Banner the encyclopedia of Arkansas history & culture WANTED: Authors and Media We need entries, photographs, documents, videos, maps, and audio clips to help make the EOA the most comprehensive and engaging resource on Arkansas history. Entries Needing Media (photographs, etc.): James Byron Reed Arkadelphia Presbyterian Academy Benjamin Franklin Rice Osro Cobb Yancopin (Desha County) Carl Richey “Cotton” Cordell Yellowhammer Corinth (Howard County) If you have pictures or other media, please contact Mike Cotton Plant Academy Keckhaver at [email protected] Incoming Kingdom Missionary Unit Indian Bay (Monroe County) Entries Needing Authors: Mitchellville (Desha County) Evangeline K. Brown Monticello Academy Diphtheria Montrose (Ashley County) Kathryn Hall-Trujillo Clarence Bloomfield Moore Gladys McFadden & the Loving Sisters Charlotte Moorman Office of the Surgeon General John Pruitt Whooping Cough Rabbits Foot Lodge If you would like to write one of these entries, Raggio (Lee County) please contact Guy Lancaster at Reed (Desha County) [email protected]

Encyclopedia of Arkansas: Of Mussels and Men the realm of “proper” history, the expan- for both Arkansas and the world at large. By Guy Lancaster, EOA editor sion of the science and nature compo- And last year, the never smooth surface o you know what a “derecho” nents of the EOA helps to illuminate and of Arkansas politics was further roiled is? You will soon, because reveal human history as well, because by the possibility that the federal govern- the Encyclopedia of Arkansas people, as the Catalan writer Ignasi Ribó ment would designate forty percent of D(EOA) has an entry in progress on the explains, “are embodied beings, embed- the state as critical habitat for two endan- subject—in this case, a particular weath- ded in a natural and a cultural environ- gered mussel species. er phenomenon. In fact, the EOA is cur- ment, members of a human community There is no easy division between na- rently working to expand its offerings in but also of a biological community.” Ar- ture and history, and making the EOA the categories of science and nature, with kansas’s history has been shaped dramat- more useful to a wider circle of read- numerous entries in development cover- ically by microscopic organisms, from ers means tackling the stuff most of us ing various classes of plants and animals, the Plasmodium protozoan that causes last confronted in a biology textbook. If specific endemic species, and important malaria to the influenza virus that dis- you’d like to join the fun, click on the scientific and agricultural research cen- rupted Arkansas life and politics in 1918. “Get Involved” tab on the EOA home- ters in the state. Plant-parasitic nematodes remain one page (www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net) to Far from being an excursion away from of the most pernicious agricultural pests find the list of entries we are seeking. n BUTLER CENTER DONORS

Material Donations Ed Gray Eugene Porter Arkansas Humanities Council, in support of Anes Abraham Ray Hanley Charley Sandage Arkansas Sounds Bill Adams Immanuel Lutheran Church Frank Sata, Pasadena, CA Arkansas Humanities Council, in support of the Robert Bailey Robert Johnston Nathania Sawyer teacher education seminar Louisa Barker, Chevy Chase, MD Ken King Betty Sellers, Southaven, MS Bruce Family Endowment, Arkansas W. Chris Barrier Edith Lancaster David Stricklin & Sally Browder Community Foundation, in honor of Stephen Mary Day Milbank Bodenstein David Margolick Kay Suber, Bellevue, WA Schafer & William Lindsey Beth Brickell, Beverly Hills, CA Michael McCallum Sue R. Webb Trust Cazort-Garner Memorial Association, in honor Delia Burchfield, Bayard, NE Lamar McMillin, Vicksburg, MS Mr. & Mrs. Larry Taylor of Butler Center Manuscripts Dept. Marcia Camp Park & Betty Jean Moore Joan Wakelyn Department of Arkansas Heritage, in support of Donald Campbell Sue Moore Amelia Walters Arkansas Sounds Martha Robertson Carvill Glenn Mosenthin Ali Welky Elder Mediation, Inc. (EMI) by Sidney David O. Dodd Extension Wendy Nichols Ann Wiley McCollum, in support of Arkansas Sounds Homemakers Club Freddie Nixon Charles Witsell Friday, Eldridge & Clark, Attorneys at Law, in Thomas Eans Howard Norton support of Arkansas Sounds Jon Evans Lorene Patterson Monetary Donations Ray Hanley, in support of Butler Center Books Charles Feild Mike Polston Arkansas Art Educators, in honor of Colin W. Jan Schick, in honor of Tom Dillard Thompson

The Butler Banner Page 7 Images from Our Collection

Buxton Brickyard in Nashville, Arkansas; circa late 1800s. The brickyard was started by Fred M. Buxton in 1884. He later sold the

land and opened a second brickyard in 1897. From the Lucille and Parker Westbrook Collection.

Little Rock, AR 72201 AR Rock, Little

100 S. Rock Street Rock S. 100

Central Arkansas Library System Library Arkansas Central

PERMIT #183 PERMIT

LITTLE ROCK, AR ROCK, LITTLE

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