Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism

🛶Exciting News from Conway County!🚵♂️ The Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce and Conway County Economic Development Corporation has announced the launch of the Outdoor Recreation Entrepreneur Program! This groundbreaking initiative is designed to help new outdoor recreation businesses succeed. As the first program of its kind at the local level in Arkansas, we’re confident it will be a game-changer for entrepreneurs in Morrilton and the Petit Jean River Valley. In 2023, Petit Jean State Park and the surrounding area were designated as a Natural State Initiative Economic Opportunity Zone by the State of Arkansas. Managed by the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation, this designation offers special sales tax and income tax benefits to qualifying businesses within the zone, creating even more incentives for growth and success. This is a fantastic opportunity for the outdoor recreation industry! #Arkansas #OutdoorRecreation #NaturalStateInitiative  #ArkansasStateParks

Happy Juneteenth! The significance of Juneteenth centers on June 19, 1865, the day federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people were free. This announcement came two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. In 2021, Juneteenth was made a federal holiday. In Arkansas, the end of the Civil War brought significant changes. On September 10, 1863, Union forces captured the state capital, Little Rock, marking a pivotal moment in the state's Civil War history. However, many enslaved people in Arkansas did not learn of their freedom until later, similar to the delay experienced in Texas. The state played a crucial role during Reconstruction, with significant strides in education, civil rights, and political representation for African Americans. Juneteenth not only marks a day of freedom but also reminds us of Arkansas' journey through the Civil War and its aftermath, reflecting on the resilience and contributions of African Americans in our state's history.

Voting for the winner of the People's Choice category for the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame is NOW open! Show your support and vote for your favorite culinary gem at the link below! Let's celebrate the flavors that make Arkansas truly special! Vote here: https://lnkd.in/gTyW9umn #ArkansasFoodHallOfFame #PeoplesChoice #CulinaryExcellence

Join us for Arkansas State Parks Night at the @ARTravs game! 📅Date: May 17 📍Location: Dickey Stephens Park, North Little Rock ⌚Time: Gates open at 6:05 p.m. ⚾First Pitch: 7:05 p.m. Enjoy a fun-filled night with family and friends while supporting your favorite state parks! From thrilling baseball action to fantastic giveaways, it's an event you won't want to miss! 🎟️Get your tickets now and let's make memories together! See you there! #ARStateParks #ArkansasTravelers

Congratulations Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders! #NaturalStateInitiative

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders highlights the importance of the EXPLORE Act in her recent op-ed.

We hope to see you this weekend at Historic Arkansas Museum!

A delightful blend of history and appreciation unfolded as Arkansas Heritage Director Marty Ryall journeyed to the charming City of Fort Smith, Arkansas. In a ceremonious moment, Director Ryall presented a Small Museum Grant to the guardians of history at the FORT SMITH HERITAGE FOUNDATION INC. President Kelly Wilson graciously accepted the grant, a testament to their steadfast dedication in preserving the storied Clayton House, The visit unfurled into a historical tour, graciously led by Mila Masur, the Executive Director of The Clayton House. This grand abode, once the residence of William Henry Harrison Clayton, echoes tales of justice and valor. Known as the formidable federal prosecutor of “Hanging Judge” Isaac C. Parker’s court, Clayton was an unparalleled figure in American legal history. 🏛️ The Clayton House: A Chronicle of American Justice - Erected in the 1850s, the Clayton House became the esteemed prosecutor’s residence from 1882-1897 after he expanded its foundations. - Clayton’s legal mastery saw him at the helm of over 10,000 cases across a vast 74,000 square miles of territory. - His record of 80 murder convictions remains unmatched, a legacy marked by the prosecution of the notorious “Bandit Queen” Belle Starr and the defense of Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves. - A familial connection to power, Clayton's brother, Powell Clayton, rose as Governor of Arkansas in 1868 and ascended to the U.S. Senate in 1871. Today, the Clayton House stands as a museum, a beacon of our heritage, inviting the public to step into a slice of our nation's narrative. Join us in reflecting on the lives that shaped our laws and society. 📅 Visiting Hours: - Tuesday to Saturday: 12 PM - 4 PM - Sunday: 1 PM - 4 PM Join us at The Clayton House, where every corner tells a story, every room echoes a piece of history. Experience the resonance of Arkansas's heritage with us.

There are many ways to love State Parks: doing recreational activities in them is certainly a major one—whether you choose to hike, camp, fish, bike, birdwatch or just relax. But, another way to show your love is to volunteer. To celebrate the Centennial year of Arkansas State Parks, we hosted a self-guided program called 100 Hours of Service, where the public could log their volunteer hours for the year 2023! Those who submitted 100 hours of service by January 15, 2024 were entered into a drawing for a grand prize! We are proud to announce the winner of the 100 hours of Centennial Service: