First Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Marker Dedicated
| Article follows photos. |
Department of Arkansas Heritage Director Cathie Matthews (from left), ACWSC Chairman Tom Dupree and MacArthur Museum Director Stephan McAteer unveil marker. |
The Arsenal Crisis Marker |
2/10/2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – FEBRUARY 10, 2010
FOR STATEWIDE RELEASE
FIRST ARKANSAS CIVIL WAR SESQUICENTENNIAL HISTORICAL MARKER DEDICATED IN LITTLE ROCK
LITTLE ROCK—The Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission and the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History has dedicated the first Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Historical Marker, ACWSC Chairman Tom Dupree announced today.
“This is the first of many markers that will be placed around the state to tell the stories of how the Civil War impacted local communities,” Dupree said. “The Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission hopes to have at least one marker in every county in the state.”
The 1861 arsenal crisis is the subject of the new marker, which reads: “The Civil War could have begun at this U.S. Arsenal. As other states seceded, rumors that reinforcements were heading for the Arsenal led around 1,000 militia from south and east Arkansas to demand the surrender of the garrison. On Feb. 12, 1861, Capt. James Totten, with no orders from his superiors, abandoned the Arsenal ‘to avoid the cause of Civil War.’ Little Rock’s ladies gave him a sword to show their appreciation of his action. Two months later, Ft. Sumter was attacked.”
The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, which operates under the City of Little Rock’s Parks and Recreation Department, is located in the 1840 building that housed the U.S. Arsenal in 1861.
Through the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Historical Marker program, which received initial funding from the National Park Service’s Preserve America program, the ACWSC will contribute up to $1,000 toward the creation of historical markers. Commission historians will work with the local sponsors to ensure that all of the information on the markers is accurate.
Application forms are available by writing Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Historical Marker Program, 1500 Tower Building, 323 Center Street, Little Rock, AR 72201 or sending an e-mail message to acwsc@arkansasheritage.org. They also can be downloaded at http://www.arkansascivilwar150.com/historical-markers/.
For more information on sesquicentennial plans, visit www.arkansascivilwar150.com or e-mail acwsc@arkansasheritage.org.
The Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission is housed within the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. The AHPP is the Department of Arkansas Heritage agency responsible for identifying, evaluating, registering and preserving the state’s cultural resources. Other agencies are the Arkansas Arts Council, the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, the Old State House Museum, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and the Historic Arkansas Museum.
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