Fay Jones Exhibit
Our Fay Jones exhibit, loaned from the Old Statehouse Museum in Little Rock, continues to attract numerous visitors. Jones, a native of Arkansas and resident of Fayetteville at the time of his death in 2004, was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. The exhibit consists of three panels which provide information and numerous pictures of Jones' work, including the Cooper Chapel in Bella Vista. Volunteer Jack Kellogg has downloaded several videos about Jones and compiled them on one DVD which is now available for viewing at the museum, including an interview in which Jones talks about his career.
Log Cabin project
More progress has been made on the log cabin that is being donated to the museum. Nick Kendus worked over the past few weeks cutting off the many vines that had grown up on its sides, creating a path for access to the cabin, taking off the old porches, sorting out the reusable lumber and performing other related tasks, while his wife (and museum docent) Melissa Kendus went through the materials inside the cabin that the cabin owner no longer wanted, sorting them into piles of what was salvageable for donation to charity and what needed to be thrown out. Several volunteers, including Linda Lloyd, John Flynn, Chuck Pribbernow, Xyta Lucas, Dustie Meads and Eddie Meads, then hauled off loads for disposal. Donations for this project are still very much welcome, either through the gofundme/cabin fever account online or through payments left at or mailed to the museum. Our mailing address is 1885 Bella Vista Way, Bella Vista AR 72714. All donors of $100 or more will be recognized with a plaque inside the cabin.
Gift shop merchandise
Don't forget to stop by the museum's gift shop any time you are looking for souvenirs of Bella Vista or presents for any special occasion. We stock everything from old Bella Vista postcards to new Bella Vista Christmas ornaments. Our most popular items continue to be the jigsaw puzzles featuring Bella Vista scenes, but we have a variety of other merchandise.
Open house donations
In planning ahead for our annual open house this fall, museum volunteers will be contacting local businesses to solicit door prizes. If your business is interested in donating a door prize or supporting the museum in other ways, please leave a message at 479-855-2335.
Longtime residents of Bella Vista
The museum staff would like to find the residents who have lived in Bella Vista the longest and recognize them at a future event. We appreciate those who have contacted us and have added their names to our list. If you know someone who has lived in Bella Vista for 30-40 years or more, please contact the museum at 479-855-2335 and leave your contact information.
Private tours available
Private tours of the museum are available outside of normal open hours for church groups, students, civic clubs, businesses, etc. To arrange for a tour, leave a message at the museum, 479-855-2335, or contact Xyta Lucas at 479-876-6118.
Hours of operation
The Historical Museum is located at the corner of Highway 71 and Kingsland, next door to the American Legion, and is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. The phone number is 479-855-2335, and the website is www.bellavista.museum.org.
General News on 07/11/2018