Historical Museum starts attendance contest

The Bella Vista Historical Museum has a contest going on among its docents to see who can bring in the most walk-in visitors on the day they are serving at the museum.

The winner will be announced at the end of June with the prize of a dinner for two.

“If you have a friend or neighbor who is a docent at the museum, please find out from them what day they will be at the museum and make plans to visit them that day to increase their visitor numbers and help them win the contest,” said docent and contest organizer Xyta Lucas. “Or just stop in any afternoon Wednesday through Sunday between noon and 4 p.m. and help the docent of the day increase their chances of winning the prize.”

The museum has exhibits representing 100 years of Bella Vista history, with new exhibits often added. The latest exhibit features the hydraulic ram water system that the Linebargers installed in 1917 to provide water to the lodges and cottages at the Bella Vista Summer Resort they opened in June of that year. Rotating temporary exhibits are also available for viewing, with one on railroad history in place through the end of April, and a new one going up for May and June on the Linebarger family and the 100th anniversary of the opening of the resort.

The museum is located at the corner of U.S. Highway 71 and Kingsland Road, next door to the American Legion. Admission is free. For more information, see www.bellavistamuseum.org or check out the museum’s Facebook page.