HISTORICAL MUSEUM NEWS
Tyrone Power and Henry Fonda
These two well-known actors partied in Bella Vista in 1938 while they were in Pineville, Mo., making the movie, “Jesse James.” The movie was released in 1939 and, on the 75th anniversary of its release, Tyrone Power Jr. visited the Bella Vista Historical Museum to see the autographs we have from his dad and Henry Fonda. That is when the museum found out that he had never met his dad, who died on location of a heart attack while making a movie in Spain when his mom was six months pregnant. And that is why he so quickly accepted our invitation for a visit; he wanted to see his dad’s autograph. You are welcome to stop by, see those autographs and the pictures we have on display of his 2014 visit to our museum.
Fay Jones exhibit
The Fay Jones exhibit, loaned from the Old Statehouse Museum in Little Rock, continues to draw visitors. Jones, a native of Arkansas and resident of Fayetteville at the time of his death in 2004, was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. The exhibit consists of three panels which provide information and numerous pictures of Jones’ work, including the Cooper Chapel in Bella Vista. Volunteer Jack Kellogg has downloaded several videos about Jones and compiled them on one DVD which is now available for viewing at the museum, including an interview in which Jones talks about his career.
Log Cabin project
Our next step with the log cabin, donated earlier this year, is to get the foundation built on the museum grounds, which we expect to have done this fall. Then comes the actual move. Donations for this project are still very much welcome, either through the gofundme/cabin fever account online or through payments left at or mailed to the museum. The mailing address is 1885 Bella Vista Way, Bella Vista AR 72714. All donors of $100 or more will be recognized with a plaque inside the cabin.
Hours of operation
The Historical Museum is located at the corner of U.S. Highway 71 and Kingsland Road, next door to the American Legion, and is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. The phone number is 479-855-2335, and the website is www.bellavista.museum.org.