The Bella Vista Historical Museum had its fourth annual open house last Thursday, bringing in 90 attendees.
"We find that people who normally wouldn't take the time to stop in have incentive when they know it's an event," said Xyta Lucas, co-president of the Bella Vista Historical Society. "It's a great way to expose more people to the museum."
By offering refreshments and door prizes, she said, the museum can bring in additional guests.
It's also great, she said, for the volunteers to see more people come in and appreciate their work.
"We've just got a tremendous group of volunteers," Lucas said.
She was also appreciative, she said, of the sponsors that donated door prizes, including Allen's Grocery, Dairy Queen, Papa Mike's, Arvest bank and the Bank of the Ozarks -- though the museum put together some prize bundles of its own.
One attendee, Marilyn Lyons, said she's been a Bella Vista resident for 20 years, and she was excited to see what's changed with the museum recently.
"It's beautiful," she said. "It's so much lighter and brighter than I remember the last time I was here."
She was especially fond, she said, of the exhibits on Wonderland Cave, and the dance hall that used to be inside it.
Additionally, she said, she found the prospect of an island in Lake Bella Vista, as evidenced by older photographs of the lake, fascinating.
At its core, the event was a fundraiser for the museum.
Jill Werner, who cans goods somewhat as a hobby, had a series of fruit butters and jams for sale, and every dollar she made went to the museum.
Werner said she has a habit of making more food than she and her husband can eat, and while she normally gives the extra out to friends, she decided to use that surplus as a fundraiser this year.
She also discussed the prospect of improving the museum's gift shop, with a focus on selling Bella Vista souvenirs, something she said the city lacks.
"It not only benefits the museum," Werner said, "but it's a niche that's not being filled right now."
General News on 11/23/2016