(WASHINGTON, Ark.) – Historic Washington State Park will host the 19th Annual Red River Heritage Symposium on Saturday, July 26, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s theme is “Trail of Tears in the Red River Region” and will focus on the removal period of the Choctaw tribe as they traveled from Mississippi into southeastern Oklahoma and the impact that had on the Great Bend Region of the Red River.
Specific topics and speakers will include:
- “Washington, Arkansas, and the Trail of Tears” by Josh Williams and Chris Adams of Historic Washington State Park.
- “Choctaw and Chickasaw Removal Stories through Southwest Arkansas” by Dr. Dan Littlefield of the Sequoyah National Research Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
- “Indigenous Experimental Archeology at Choctaw Nation” by Dr. Ian Thompson of the Choctaw Nation Archeological Survey.
- “Remembering Choctaw Removal Today” by a representative of the Choctaw Nation Cultural Center.
As part of the symposium, an all-day Friday and Saturday workshop for teachers and researchers will take place on July 25 and 26, 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 to sites in southwest Arkansas related to the Choctaw removal route, sponsored by the Arkansas State Archives.Workshop presenters will include staff from Historic Washington State Park, Arkansas State Archives, Sequoyah National Research Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Arkansas Trail of Tears Association, and Fort Towson Historic Site. Sessions will incorporate Washington, Arkansas, and 19th-century-related topics into curriculum standards for the classroom.
The cost of attendance at the symposium and symposium is as follows:
- Friday Teacher Workshop $25
- Saturday Bus Tour $15
- Saturday Symposium $20
- All Events $50
Check-in will begin at 8 a.m. at the 1874 Hempstead County Courthouse Visitor Center. Registration must be made by July 18; 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. 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 54,400 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, 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.
JOSH WILLIAMS
Curator