Arkansas 250 Newsletter

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March 2026, Issue X

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

Monthly Meeting of Arkansas250 Commission

The Arkansas250 Commission held their monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10. Topics included an America250 update, the National State Fair initiative, the America250 time capsule, Arkansas250 flags, and Arkansas250 road signs.

Arkansas250 Commission participates in food bank delivery

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has teamed with America 250 and Justserve.org to deliver 250 truckloads of food to 250 food banks across the country this year. On Thursday, Feb. 5, one of the trucks delivered 40,000 pounds of food to the Arkansas Food Bank. Arkansas250 Commissioners Marty Ryall, Jan Zimmerman, Ebony Mitchell and Clinton Mayor Richard McCormac were on hand with Arkansas Food Bank CEO Brian Burton to participate in the ceremony.

Dedication of Historical Marker at Daisy Bates

On Tuesday, Feb. 17, the Arkansas250 Commission and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders honored Daisy Bates at the Daisy Bates National Historic Site with a new Arkansas250 historical marker. Speakers included Gov. Sanders, Charles King, Mary

Commissioners in attendance included ADPHT Secretary Shea Lewis, Heritage Division Director Marty Ryall, Ebony Kendrick, Judge Dale James, Arkansas State Archives director David Ware, Col. Joel Lynch, and Clinton Mayor Richard McCormac.

This marker is the second of 11 that will be placed by the commission this year across Arkansas to commemorate America’s semiquincentennial and highlight Arkansas’ lasting contributions to our nation’s history.

Buffalo River Historical Marker Dedication

On Monday, March 2, Arkansas250 Commissioners traveled to Gilbert to dedicated a historical marker for the Buffalo River.

The marker was placed at the Gilbert General Store, which was built in 1901 near the banks of the river. For over 125 years, the store has served the community and visitors to the area.

On March 1, 1972, the Buffalo River was established by Congress as our nation’s first national river. It is 135 miles long and is also one of the few undammed rivers left in the nation.

Historical Markers To Be Placed in March

At 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 6, a marker will be dedicated at Arkansas Post Museum State Park, 5530 Hwy 165 South. Arkansas Post was the first European establishment in the state and served as Territorial capital for two years. This will be the fourth out of 11 historical markers to be dedicated.

At 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday, March 18, a historical marker commemorating Hattie Caraway will be placed in Jonesboro in front of the V.C. Kays house,

2506 Aggie, Jonesboro, AR 72401.

Before Us, Beyond Us

This week, the Arkansas250 Commission and the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism opens a new exhibit at the Old State House Museum. The exhibit, “Before Us, Beyond Us” highlights various periods in Arkansas history and examines the state’s role on the national stage. The exhibit is unique because it’s a multi-agency effort worked on by curators across the Department and features artifacts from multiple Arkansas collections. The exhibit will be open through December 2026.