The Heritage Trail: One Route, Three Histories of Arkansas

First of many programs with OLLI/UA (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) for our 2011 Anniversary Celebration, the program will feature The Heritage Trail: One Route, Three Histories of Arkansas.

The first in a series of lectures based on the history of this region will feature Marilyn Heifner, Executive Director of the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission; John McLarty, President, Arkansas Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association; and Susan Young, Outreach Coordinator, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History.

The course highlights three important trails that figured significantly in the history of northwest Arkansas. The first trail is one that most people know: The Trail of Tears and the forced removal of the American Indian from the east, accompanied by thirteen detachments to what would later become Oklahoma.

The battles of Pea Ridge and Prairies Grove significantly altered the course of the Civil War as well as the impact on the local population here.

The Butterfield Overland Mail Route was the longest running stage coach in history, running 2,812 miles from Tipton, Missouri to San Francisco from 1858-1961.

Date: March 8, 15
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Place: Peel Mansion, Bentonville

The series is free to OLLI members with 20% of available seats for volunteers and donors of The Peel Compton Foundation. Please go to our website, www.peelcompton.org and ensure you hear the fascinating details of the “Three Trails.”