If your ancestors served in Arkansas during the Civil War, you are invited to come on down for the celebration.
Pivotal Role DeValls Bluff, Ar. played during the Civil War
When: Saturday, April 23, 2011
Where: DeValls Bluff, Arkansas
What: Event Schedule for “A Commemoration of the Pivotal Role DeValls Bluff Played During the Civil War”
9 a.m. Welcome and talk by local historians Bill Arnold and Judge James Rhodes. Mark Christ, Community Outreach Director for the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, State Senator Eddie Joe Williams, State Representative Tiffany Rogers, Vanessa McKuin, Executive Dir. Of The Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas, and Hank Browne, owner of Hank’s Fine Furniture will discuss the rich local Civil War history and assist in the dedication of five lovely Civil War markers to be permanently placed in the area.
9:45 a.m. A beautiful period chapel service led by Rick Meadows of the Central AR Civil War Heritage Trail and Grand Prairie Civil War Roundtable, accompanied by Pianist Sharon Arnold, Church of DeValls Bluff.
10:15 a.m. Miss Ellen Lewis, a professional historical reenactor, will present a program called “For Weal or Woe – Women's Influences on the War Between the States” which takes a deep look into the surprising roles women played during the war.
11:15 a.m. 1st Sgt. Lewis, a professional historical reenactor, takes center stage and presents “Flags of the Civil War”, which is a very interesting program that displays various flags and explains the confusion they caused during the war.
12:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided by The Bill and Sharon Arnold Family Foundation in the Harvest Room of Prairie County Community Center. *
1:00 p.m. Richard Spilman of The Lower White River Museum of Des Arc will be presenting the program: “Lifestyles of the Civil War Soldier”. The program will describe the life of a soldier, show the kind of equipment used, and discuss some of the local events that took place during the Civil War.
1:30 p.m. The Prairie Peacemakers Quilting Club will present an informative look at the connection between quilting and the Underground Railroad.
2:00 p.m. Barret’s Battery led by Roger Harvell will be doing an artillery display on the playground next to the center. Barret’s Battery was organized by Captain Overton Winston Barret of St Louis, part of the 10th Missouri Light Artillery (Confederate States of America).
*At lunch and after the artillery display there will be a period musket available for adults and children to fire with a signed permission slip*
For further information and to register for a free lunch for the first 200 people to respond, write to
Stacy at vesper7272@yahoo.com or call 870-659-5652.
Please come and feel free to be part of this historic event.
Families and the media are encouraged to be in attendance.
Respectfully submitted by Linda T. Acrey, Grand Prairie Civil War Roundtable, Lonoke, Ar. 72086