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About Us
The Desha County Historical Society was formed in
January of 1969 when a group of concerned citizens
met with the common goal to preserve and promote the
history and artifacts of Desha County, AR. Mr.
C. C. Stuart, Mrs. J. H. Stroud, Mrs. R. C. Tutt,
and Mrs. Pat Sherland held the first meeting at the
Desha County Court Room in McGehee. On May
29th, 1973, a certificate of incorporation was
issued to the Desha County Historical Society by the
office of the Secretary of State. These early
county historians were about to embark on an uphill
journey.
All early documents stored at the county seat of
Desha County were moved to Texas with some being
destroyed during the Civil War. The constant
erosion of the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers'
boundaries, along with the destruction caused by the
1927 Flood, had altered or completely removed
physical remains of early settlements, towns,
markers, and cemeteries. With this background
the charter members of the Historical Society began
the daunting task of reconstructing and maintaining
Desha County history and lineage.
Through the years following the formation of the
Historical Society, dedicated members and county
citizens have researched, salvaged, lectured, and
published papers and photographs pertaining to Desha
County; its history, its families, and the
surrounding area. Some of the papers and
photographs of the history to date have been filed
and catalogued in the Desha County Branch Library in
McGehee, while others have been reposed in the
"Special Libraries" of the University of Arkansas at
Fayetteville and Little Rock, and the University of
Central Arkansas.
The conscientious members of the Desha County
Historical Society, those that have passed before
and those still involved, strive to protect and
share the colorful history of Desha County with its
citizens and the world. We invite you to be a
part of the sharing of this history by attending
lectures, purchasing publications, and becoming a
member.
Membership
Membership in the Desha County Historical Society is
open to anyone interested in the history of Desha
County. Membership is for one calendar year as
follows:
$25.00 -
Individual or Family
Membership also includes a copy of the current
Society Quarterly and an open invitation to the
informative lectures that are held throughout the
year in various locations of the county.
Click
for a printable form to mail in!
Email inquiries
may be addressed to
azf.gibbsferguson@att.net |
