PRESS RELEASE
by Curator Josh Williams
(WASHINGTON, Ark.) -- Historic Washington State Park announces the annual summer concert series Music in the Park with the theme “Music that Binds us Together.” An additional free concert will be held in the afternoon on Saturday, August 20 in addition to the evening performance outside the 1874 Courthouse.
At 3pm, Dr. Kristin Stephenson will perform piano pieces of nineteenth century parlors at the Washington Presbyterian Church. Music performed will include compositions from Mozart and Beethoven. Dr. Stephenson is a graduate of The Julliard School in New York and has performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. More information may be found online at www.kristinstephensonpiano.com.
At 7:30pm, Clark Buehling will perform period banjo pieces on the lawn of the 1874 Courthouse. Clarke Buehlingis widely recognized for his interpretations of late 19th Century finger-style banjo. Clarke is also in the forefront of the recent resurgence of interest in the Ante-bellum minstrel banjo style and songs. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/clarke.buehling.
Music has been a favorite pastime that bind families and communities together. Residents of Washington in the 19th century enjoyed performing and listening to all types of music as a form of entertainment and fellowship with each other. Come and enjoy evenings of great music that bring us together as a community at Historic Washington State Park.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. The gift shop will be open for refreshments, and Williams’ Tavern Restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for dining.
The Music in the Park series is sponsored by: Tyson Foods, Farmers Bank and Trust, McDonalds of Hope, Lagrone Williams Hardware of Hope, Washington Grace Cottage, and the Pioneer Washington Restoration Foundation.
About Historic Washington State Park
Historic Washington State Park, located in Washington, Ark., 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.
Relax and enjoy your stay at the Historic Washington Jailhouse Bed & Breakfast and enjoy a Southern cooked meal for lunch at Williams’ Tavern Restaurant. Also available on-site is the 1914 Schoolhouse bunkroom for group rentals, and the historic 1860 Brunson House and 1940 WPA Gymnasium for weddings and meeting space for groups of all sizes.
To learn more about upcoming historic tours, events, rent a facility, or book a room in the Jailhouse Bed & Breakfast, visit HistoricWashingtonStatePark.com or call 870-983-2684. The park is located on US 278 Highway, nine miles north of Hope and can be reached by taking Exit 30 off Interstate 30.
About 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. The system includes 1,100 buildings (including 183 historic structures), six National Historic Landmarks, a National Natural Landmark, 16 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, and War Memorial Stadium.
The state parks have 1,800 campsites, 1,050 picnic sites, 208 cabins, five lodges, and 415 miles of trails. Eight million visitors annually come from all regions of the country. Park staffs provide over 42,000 education programs, activities, and special events to more than 700,000 participants each year.
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 us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and visit ArkansasStateParks.com and ArkansasStateParks.com/media to learn more about everything we have to offer.