Territorial Arkansas: The Wild Western Frontier, a traveling exhibit that tells the story of Arkansas Territory, will be displayed at the Baxter County Library from October 9 through November 4. The traveling exhibit consists of 15 panels that explore the history of Arkansas Territory though the collections of the Arkansas State Archives and their branch archives, the Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives in Powhatan and the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives in Washington.
On Wednesday, October 21 at 2pm, Dr. David Ware, current Director of the Arkansas State Archives, will present a live lecture via Zoom in conjuncture with the exhibit detailing the history of Territorial Arkansas. The lecture is open and available to the public, and you can join by using the Zoom link on the calendar at baxlib.org.
On March 2, 1819, President James Monroe signed a congressional act that established Arkansas Territory from the southern portion of Missouri Territory. The new territory was a wild frontier on the western edge of the United States, where politicians settled debates by deadly duels. Formerly a colony of France and Spain, the land had only become part of the United States 16 years prior as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. After its creation, Arkansas Territory had an influx of settlers who established small communities and isolated homesteads. Territorial and county governments were set up, businesses opened, and workers of various trades moved to the territory to help it flourish. Initially Arkansas Territory included what is now Oklahoma, but through changes in boundary lines and the relocation of Native Americans further and further west, the territory’s land was reduced to its present size in 1828. After 17 years as a territory, Arkansas was admitted to the Union on June 15, 1836, as the 25th state.
“I am very pleased that The Baxter County Library is sharing Territorial Arkansas: The Wild Western Frontier with their visitors and community,” stated Dr. Wendy Richter, previous Arkansas State Archives’ Director. “Created to commemorate the Bicentennial of Arkansas Territory, this exhibit allows us to bring the incredible Arkansas Territory resources of the Arkansas State Archives to local communities throughout the state.”
For more information about the exhibit, visit baxlib.org. To learn more about the Arkansas State Archives and its collections visit http://archives.arkansas.gov.
This exhibit was produced in part by a grant from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council, funded by the Arkansas Real Estate Transfer Tax.
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