Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives at Powhatan..NOT HAPPENING

AStanaland — 27 Mar 2008 11:14:31 GMT

There is no money funded for the long-promised Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives at Powhatan State Park. That is what I learned today when I called Powhatan State Historic Park. "We" genealogists were told back in 2005 that by 2008, we would have a facility to house and make available for research some very old, original records for Lawrence County ...which in the early AR history covered a large area ...many other counties today. It hasn't happened and few of us will ever get to see these records it seems ...unless you are very young right now, or unless the political wheels turn a little faster. Here's the story.

Back about 2003, 2004 and into 2005, there were many discussions here and on the Lawrence County Rootsweb mailing list, regarding the old, original records that used to be housed in a vault at Powhatan ..in the old courthouse, now the Powhatan State Historic Park. The vault, it was said, was no longer useful for housing the records, and the Lawrence County Historical Society was no longer to be 'in charge' of the records (there was an archivist from the society at that time ..and she was retiring as I recall.)

Take a look at the Couchweb for Lawrence County Arkansas genealogy and note the 3 'announcements' in the upper left-hand of the opening page. After we genealogists climbed the poliltical ladder to request ...please ...that the old, original non-transcribed, non-microfilmed records be properly perserved and made available to us for reference.

The records have been housed now for years in Jonesboro in the AR State Univ ...virtually unavailable to anyone, unless someone at Lawrence County Historical Society can help us to have limited access.

I'm still waiting ...and I hope that in my useful lifetime, we will have a facility. The 3rd announcement (posted in 2005 on Couchweb for Lawrence County)is as follows:

QUOTE
Archives Facility to be Built at Powhatan

The Lawrence County Historical Society has announced that a historical and genealogical research facility will be constructed at the Powhatan Courthouse State Park. Plans for the facility are the result of a memorandum of agreement executed by the Arkansas History Commission, the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and the LCHS.

The facility, to be called the Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives (NARA), will be housed in the former Church of Christ building now owned by the Powhatan Park. A state of the art, vaulted, storage facility is to be constructed adjacent to the church. It will house the thousands of records, journals, artifacts and books now being temporarily held at the Arkansas State University library archives and by the society.

The facility should be available for public use in early 2008, according to Lloyd Clark, LCHS president.

The LCHS has long been the caretaker of the thousands of records, some dating back to the early 1800's, which were previously held in the vaults of the Powhatan Courthouse.

"When the Parks Department decided to remodel the courthouse and build new displays in 2003 they asked the LCHS to find a new place to keep the records, which had been safely ensconced in the courthouse for decades," Clark said. "After a public outcry, and intense negotiations with them, the Parks Department has decided to build this new facility to house the Lawrence County records and potentially those of other Northeast Arkansas Counties."

The NARA will operate similar to the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives (SARA) at Washington, Ark., in Hempstead County. The History Commission will provide a certified archivist to insure the documents are properly handled and a librarian to assist the public in their research. The LCHS will provide volunteer docents and provide other historical artifacts for display in the NARA.

The society will also assist the ASU archives department in obtaining grants to provide researchers to inventory, repair and properly store the records now held in boxes at ASU.

Clark said they are hopeful that a complete catalogued listing of all the records will be prepared and entered onto the ASU library system so that researchers can find and locate the records they need.

"The NARA, when completed, will be one of the finest historical and genealogical facilities in this part of the nation and will house records that date back to the Louisiana Purchase and early territorial Arkansas," Clark said. UNQUOTE

Well, it is 2008 ...and I am told that the State has not funded the money to even start the project. I think we genealogist did not keep holding 'their' feet to the fire. As soon as we quit asking about the records ..just waiting for the facility to happen ...those we had 'bothered' about the situation breathed a sigh and hung up their hats. Nothing has happened it seems. I have been patiently waiting, expectantly, for 5 years to be able to get to Powhatan and see the records. I am now not a happy camper.

Audrey in TN

Gov. Moultrie Confiscated Lands

Lois Olmstead — 25 May 2005 5:38:29 GMT

Does anyone have a copy of this 324-page document which I found in the Index from the South Carolina Archives online? I would love to know what it says about William Downing. http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/search/details.asp?index=423...
Thank you.

TN State Archives

maryfoulk — 6 Feb 2006 11:34:11 GMT

Sorry some of you are having problems getting your information from our archives. Tennessee is not the "LONE RANGER". VA, NC and KY are in the same boat. It is expensive and takes a long time to get your requests. For many years NC has asked that you complete a form, they in turn search, then send you a notice as to the cost. You mail your check and then you get your info. Recently I contacted the KY Historical Society (have been a member for many years) about a search and I was told to get the form from the internet(or they would send one)and send $12.00 along with the form. Canadian research is about the same. Also, some years ago, we traveled up to Frankfort KY to the archives and we were only allowed to take a pad and pencil into the research room. There were cameras in the research room and a guard was stationed at a desk in the foyer watching monitors. Here in Knoxville, we have one of the best research libaries in the southeast and they have had to take similar measures. Pad and pencil and when you leave your materials will be checked by one of the workers. This has been brought about by people stealing materials and books. I cannot imagine why someone would actually take something for themselves out of the libary. The collection of historical materials and books are there for all to use and I believe we should all try to take care of it rather that abuse.

State Archives - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives at Powhatan..NOT HAPPENING

Gov. Moultrie Confiscated Lands

TN State Archives