Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission

Arkansas took its first step toward observing the 150th anniversary of the Civil War as Act 635 of the 86th Arkansas General Assembly created the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission.

Under the legislation, the purpose of the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission is to:

1. promote a suitable statewide observance of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War;
2. cooperate and assist national, state and local organizations with programs and activities suitable for the sesquicentennial observance;
3. assist in ensuring that any observance of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War is inclusive and appropriately recognizes the experiences and points of view of all people affected by the Civil War; and
4. provide assistance for the development of programs, projects, and activities on the Civil War that have lasting educational value.

The Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission has the following duties:

1. plan, develop, and carry out programs and activities appropriate to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Civil War era and encourage the development of programs that ensure the commemoration results in a positive legacy and has long-term public benefits;
2. encourage interdisciplinary examination of the Civil War;
3. facilitate Civil War related activities throughout the State;
4. encourage civic, historical, educational, economic, and other organizations across the State to organize and participate in activities to expand the understanding and appreciation of the significance of the Civil War;
5. coordinate and facilitate the public distribution of scholarly research, publications, and interpretation of the Civil War; and
6. provide technical assistance to local organizations and nonprofit organizations to further the commemoration of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War.

Click here to read the legislation that created the ACWSC.

Click here to read the minutes of the ACWSC's meetings.

Click here to read a timeline of the Civil War in Arkansas.

Click here to read a selected bibliography of the Civil War in Arkansas.

The following members, or their designees, were appointed to the commission through Act 635 of 2007:

• Carolyn Ashcraft, director of the Arkansas State Library
• Bill Gatewood, director of the Old State House Museum
• Richard Davies, director of the Department of Parks and Tourism
• Mark Christ of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, Department of Arkansas
• Dr. Tom DeBlack, president of the Arkansas Historical Association
• Jerelyn Duncan, interim chairman of the Martin Luther King Commission
• Dr. Wendy Richter, director of the Arkansas History Commission
• W. Danny Honnoll, president of the Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trails Foundation.
• Don Hamilton of Little Rock, appointed by Governor Mike Beebe
• Tom Dupree of Jacksonville, appointed by Governor Mike Beebe
• Ernest Cunningham of Helena-West Helena, appointed by Governor Mike Beebe
• Dr. Jamie Brandon of Magnolia, appointed by Governor Mike Beebe
• Jim Branson of Stuttgart, appointed by House Speaker Benny Petrus
• Bill Stanley of Jonesboro, appointed by House Speaker Benny Petrus
• Dr. George Lankford of Batesville, appointed by Senate Pro Tem Jack Critcher
• Ellen DiMaggio of Little Rock, appointed by Senate Pro Tem Jack Critcher

Act 635 also designated the following to serve in an advisory capacity to the commission:

• Charles Durnett, president of the Arkansas chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans
• Dora Kate Lee, president of the Arkansas chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy
• John C. Scott, superintendent of Pea Ridge National Military Park.