HISTORICAL MUSEUM NEWS

Sally and Me

We would like to thank Constance Waddell for her delightful talk about the history of Bella Vista at the Shiloh Museum in Springdale on Jan. 15. Having grown up in Bella Vista, she has many memories of what it was like here in the 1930s and 1940s, which she has captured in her book, Sally and Me, now available in our museum gift shop. We really appreciate Constance’s donation of these books as a fundraiser for our museum. Please stop by to see all of our merchandise.

Bella Vista Civil War Roundtable

Our Roundtable continues to meet the first Thursday evening of each month at 7 p.m. at the museum. The speaker for the next meeting, on Thursday, Feb. 6, will be Greg Mayfield, who will be talking about his ancestors who owned the general store in Leetown near Pea Ridge and over 300 acres of surrounding land. After the war, they filed a claim for damages against the federal government, which they unsuccessfully pursued for 30 years.

The records from that case contain depositions from locals which are full of information about the lead-up to the Pea Ridge battle and the aftermath.

Fisher-Price Toy Exhibit

Our current Fisher-Price toy exhibit, on loan from Bella Vista resident Bruce Fox, has been extended for viewing through the end of February. Come for your own memories of these delightful toys, or bring your children or grandchildren to see these original vintage wooden toys from the 1930s onward. Admission is free.