(WASHINGTON, Ark.) – Historic Washington State Park will host the 17th Annual Red River Heritage Symposium on Saturday, July 22, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the park, 100 SW Morrsion St., Washington. This year’s theme is “Business and Trade” and will focus on the impact of different types of commerce and trade in the Great Bend Region of the Red River.

Specific topics and speakers will include:

• “Trade with the Caddo Culture in Northwest Louisiana, 1806” by Dr. Jeff Girard, archeologist at Northwestern Louisiana University at Natchitoches

• “Excavation and Understanding of Trade through the Steamboat ‘Heroine’” by Nina Chick of Texas A&M University at College Station

• “Money and Banking in the Red River Region” by Chris Adams of Historic Washington State Park

• “Henry Merrell: Industrial Missionary to the South” by Josh Williams of Historic Washington State Park

As part of the symposium, an all-day Friday and Saturday workshop for teachers and researchers will take place on July 21 and 22 beginning at 9 a.m. Lunch is included 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, sponsored by the Arkansas State Archives, to the antebellum cotton factory owned by Grandison Royston near Murfreesboro.  Cost for attending the workshop is $40. Workshop presenters will include staff from Historic Washington State Park, Arkansas State Archives and the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. Sessions will incorporate business and trade topics into curriculum standards for the classroom.

Cost for attendance to 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.