HISTORICAL MUSEUM NEWS

Open house

The museum’s annual open house will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25. Visitors are welcome to drop by to tour the latest exhibits and sample our delicious refreshments. Volunteer Jill Werner will be offering a taste of pawpaw (a native fruit) in exchange for a donation to the museum. And don’t miss out on drawings for the great selection of door prizes obtained by our volunteer Bob Fuller from Bella Vista businesses.

Former MLB player to speak at Museum

Albie Pearson, former Major League Baseball player and new resident of Bella Vista, will speak at the Bella Vista Historical Museum at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, about his playing days. Pearson played center field with the Washington Senators, the Baltimore Orioles and the LA/California Angels in the 1950s and 1960s. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1958 and All-Star in 1963. All baseball fans are invited to attend, admission is free. Early arrival is recommended due to limited seating.

Fay Jones Exhibit

It’s just a few more weeks before the exhibit on architect Fay Jones leaves our museum, so if you haven’t already checked it out, now is the time to do so before you get busy with the upcoming holiday season. Fay Jones’ mentor was Frank Lloyd Wright, and the exhibit reflects his influence on Jones. The exhibit is on loan from the Old Statehouse Museum in Little Rock through the end of December. After seeing our exhibit, Bella Vista resident Barb Templin loaned us her amazing work of art featuring the Country Club. She spent more than 450 hours creating it in an art form called quilling. Quilling involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, shaped and glued together to create decorative designs.

2019 memberships now available

We are now accepting memberships in the Bella Vista Historical Society, which operates our Historical Museum, for the calendar year 2019. If you are already a member, please remember to renew your membership by Jan. 1. Dues are $15/year for individuals, $25/year for families, and $50/year for corporate sponsorships. Payment may be made in person, by mail, or online at www.bellavista museum.org. Our mailing address is 1885 Bella Vista Way, Bella Vista AR 72714. We are a 501(c)3 organization, so your dues and donations are eligible for tax deductions.

Hours of operation

The Historical Museum is located at the corner of Highway 71 and Kingsland, next door to the American Legion, and is open 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. The phone number is 479-855-2335. The website is www.bellavista. museum.org.