(WASHINGTON, Ark.) – Historic Washington State Park will host the 18th Annual Red River Heritage Symposium on Saturday, July 27, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the park, 100 SW Morrsion St., Washington. This year’s theme is “Washington, Arkansas: 200 Years of History” and will focus on the impact of the community of Washington, Arkansas, since its founding in 1824, on the Great Bend Region of the Red River.

Specific topics and speakers will include:

• “Who are Americans: Democracy in America by Alexander de Tocqueville” by Dr. John Wilsey, professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
• “Washington, Arkansas and America’s Story over 200 Years” by Josh Williams of Historic Washington State Park.
• “Act No. 247 of 1929: The War Time Capitol Memorial Commission and the Birth of the Preservation Movement in Arkansas” by Melissa Nesbitt of the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives.
• “Archeological Preservation: How Historic Archeology has developed Historic Washington” by Dr. Carl Drexler of the Arkansas Archeological Survey. 
• “Panel Discussion on the Impact of Washington and its Future” with selected panelists from Washington, Arkansas.

As part of the symposium, an all-day Friday and Saturday workshop for teachers and researchers will take place on July 26 and 27, beginning at 9 a.m. Lunch is included on both days. Teachers can earn a total of 12 credit hours by attending both days of the workshop and symposium. Saturday morning of the workshop will include a bus tour along the path of the “Southwest Trail” that led to the formation of Washington, sponsored by the Arkansas State Archives. The cost of attending the workshop is $40. Workshop presenters will include staff from Historic Washington State Park, Arkansas State Archives and the Arkansas History Day program. Sessions will incorporate Washington, Arkansas, and 19th-century-related topics into curriculum standards for the classroom.

The cost of attendance at the symposium is $20. A discount price of $50 will be offered to those who wish to attend both the workshop and symposium. Check-in will begin at 8 a.m. at the 1874 Hempstead County Courthouse Visitor Center. Registration must be made by July 19; contact 870-983-2684 to register.

Historic Washington State Park

Historic Washington State Park, located in Washington, Arkansas, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Mondays. The park is a restoration village interpreting the historic Arkansas town in the 19th century. Daily tours are provided to over 15 historic sites and museums, such as the B.W. Edwards Weapons Museum and Blacksmith Shop. To learn more, visit HistoricWashingtonStatePark.com or call 870-983-2684.  

Arkansas State Parks

Arkansas State Parks is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. Arkansas state parks and museums cover 55,006 acres of forest, wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation facilities, and unique historic and cultural resources. Established in 1923, Arkansas State Parks preserve special places for future generations, provide quality recreation and education opportunities, enhance the state’s economy through tourism and provide leadership in resource conservation. Connect with ASP on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and visit ArkansasStateParks.com and ArkansasStateParks.com/media to learn more.

Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism

The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism protects and promotes our state’s natural, cultural and historic assets, contributing to a thriving economy and high quality of life. It is made up of three divisions: Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Heritage and Arkansas Tourism.