Arkansas 250 Newsletter

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November 2025, Issue VI

On July 4, 2026, America celebrates its semiquincentennial, the commemoration of the 250-year anniversary since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This anniversary encourages Arkansans to reflect on our role in the creation of our nation: as individuals, as communities, and as a state. Over the next year, events across The Natural State will highlight the people, places and history that have helped shape our state and nation.

Learn more

America250 Airstream Visits Arkansas

On Monday, Oct. 6, America250's "Our American Story" Airstream stopped at the Old State House Museum in Little Rock to record some Arkansans’ unique stories. While in the state, they also stopped at Bentonville. Arkansas250 Commissioners Shea Lewis and Marty Ryall welcomed them to Little Rock. Among those sharing their stories was Lance Gasaway, Arkansas farmer and owner of the 2024 Kentucky Derby winner, Mystic Dan.

The America250 Airstream is traveling to all 50 states to collect stories from Americans from all walks of life. The trip started on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in July and will continue through July 2026. The collected stories will be shared on social media. The Library of Congress will preserve the entire collection.

For more information about the initiative, visit:

Our American Story

Visit to Searcy

On Monday, Oct. 6, Arkansas250 Commissioners Judge Dale James and Jan Zimmerman traveled to Searcy to speak with city leaders there about their plans for the semiquincentennial.

Visit to Mountain Home

On Oct. 8, Arkansas250 Commissioners Judge Dale James, Jan Zimmerman, Col. Joel Lynch, Col. Travis Beeson, Marty Ryall, and Clinton Mayor Richard McCormac visited with local leaders in Mountain Home to discuss their semiquincentennial plans.

Presentation to Arkansas Society of Professional Lobbyists

Arkansas250 commissioner Marty Ryall gave a presentation on Oct. 28 to the Arkansas Society of Professional Lobbyists in Little Rock. He talked about the America250 initiative, the role Arkansas has played in national history, and the current initiatives the Arkansas250 commission is working on, including the installation of historic markers and the commissioning of a piece of Arkansas250 artwork.

Marty also spoke with the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District on Oct. 23.

Monthly Commission Meeting

On Tuesday, Oct. 14, the Arkansas250 Commission held their monthly meeting at the headquarters of Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. The group discussed America250 initiatives, the upcoming historical marker dedication in Bauxite, the commissioned artwork initiative, visits made to different parts of the state by the outreach committee, and they received updates from the Arkansas Department of Education. The Commission also discussed a new initiative - America’s Potluck.

Installation of Historic Marker

On Veterans Day (Nov. 11), the Arkansas250 Commission and the Saline County 250 Commission will install a historic marker on the grounds of Bauxite Museum. Featured speaker, Col. Dwayne Paige, Ret., will give remarks about Veterans Day. The Daughters of the American Revolution will present two quilts to local veterans. Bryant High School’s choir and Bauxite High School’s band will perform, and Benton High School’s ROTC will present colors.

This will be the first of 11 Arkansas250 historical markers installed across the state. Each marker will commemorate events that occurred at historically significant locations. Bauxite played an important role in World War II by providing 95% of the aluminum used to build aircrafts.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. A reception will be held at the end of the event. For more information on the Arkansas250 historic marker initiative, visit:

Arkansas250 Marker Initiative