Tue, July 14, 2026 at 9:23 PM UTC
WASHINGTON, Ark. (KTAL/KMSS) – The 20th Annual Red River Heritage Symposium in honor of America’s 250th anniversary is being held at <a href="https://absafricatv.com/diego-give-us-a-hand-argentina-v-england-revives-historic-tensions/” title=”‘Diego, give us a hand’: Argentina v England revives historic tensions”>Historic Washington State Park (HWSP).
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This year’s theme is “Threads Along the Red River: 250 Years at One of America’s Crossroads,” with a focus on the significant American events that occurred in the Great Bend Region of the Red River in the 19th century.
Topics and speakers will include:
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“Hunter and Dunbar Expedition and Exploration in southwest Arkansas” by Pam Beasley of HWSP.
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“Documenting Trammel’s Trace” by local historian and author Gary Pinkerton of Houston, Texas.
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“Methodist Influence and Circuit Riders” by local historian Keenan Williams of Hope, Arkansas.
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“Civil War Battle of Prairie D’Ane Archaeology” by Dr. Carl Drexler of the Arkansas Archeological Survey.
Teachers and researchers will have the opportunity to participate in an all-day workshop on Friday and Saturday, July 24 and 25, at 9 a.m. Lunch will be included each day, and teachers can earn a total of 12 credit hours by attending both days.
Saturday’s workshop includes a bus tour of sites in southwest Arkansas and northeast Texas along the route of Trammel’s Trace. Sessions will incorporate Washington, Arkansas, and 19th-century topics into classroom curriculum standards.
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How to document veterans of the American Revolution
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Free African-American communities in antebellum southwest Arkansas
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Arkansas “America 250” resources
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African-American highlights of southwest Arkansas
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Understanding and deciphering 19th-century handwriting
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Law and order in the courtroom of 19th-century southwest Arkansas
The cost of attendance at the workshop and symposium is as follows:
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Friday Research Workshop – $25
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Saturday Morning Bus Tour – $15
The Symposium will take place on Saturday, July 25, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Check-in will begin at 8 a.m. at the 1874 Hempstead County Courthouse Visitor Center. Registration must be completed by July 22 by calling 870-983-2684.
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