Scholars will discuss the Brooks-Baxter War, which was an armed conflict between the supporters of two rivals for Arkansas governorship,during the special event, "Anarchy in Arkansas, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the Old State House Museum in Little Rock. 

Registration is $10 per person and includes lunch. 

The Division of Arkansas Heritage invites the public to the event commemorating the gubernatorial battle between Joseph Brooks and Elisha Baxter.

Join the Old State House Museum, the Arkansas State Archives and Historic Arkansas Museum as they present “Anarchy in Arkansas,” an interpretation and commemoration of the Brooks-Baxter War on Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Old State House Museum. The museum is located at 300 W. Markham St. in Little Rock.

The Brooks-Baxter War was an armed conflict between the respective supporters of Joseph Brooks and Elisha Baxter for Arkansas governorship. The month-long war was resolved by intervention from the federal government after roughly 200 casualties. Elisha Baxter’s win brought an end to Republican rule in the state, marking the end of Arkansas’ Reconstruction era.

Historians will present the various aspects of the Brooks-Baxter War, such as why the conflict happened and what the short- and long-term outcomes were. Local historians and performers, including Mark Christ, Tom DeBlack, Kelly Houston Jones and Charley Sandage, will present on these topics, offer readings taken from contemporary journalism and correspondence, and tell the story of “Arkansas’s very own Civil War” in the words of those who were there.

For more information, contact Georganne Sisco at 501-324-8641, or [email protected].