Archeological Investigations of the late-19th and 20th Century African American Community at Arkansas Post National Memorial

July 27, 2022

A recent ethnographic overview highlighted a series of African American resources at the Memorial Unit. This project will test connections in the archeological record by attempting to locate historic structures in order to protect and preserve them within the park.

This work will involve conducting field survey to locate a series of historic structures that include the former site of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and the Rena Bass, Emma Battles, and Richard Stovall homesteads. Little is known about the appearance of the homesteads.

It is hoped that this work will involve local community leaders, educators, and local stakeholders in these investigations. Lesson plans and distance learning modules will result, and the park will incorporate results of the overall project into museum exhibits that speak to the African American experience at ARPO in the late-19th and early 20th centuries.

If you would like to be involved in the project or learn more, we would welcome you to join us for a planning meeting prior to the beginning of the survey that will be held in the theater of the park’s visitor center on August 9th at 9:30 AM. Contact Kirby_McCallie@nps.gov for questions at 870-548-2207 ext. 304.



Thompson Ad
Thompson Ad
Thompson Ad