Gravette Museum expansion project nearing completion

Grand opening planned for Gravette Days 2011.

— Editor’s Note:Work continues on an addition to Gravette Historical Museum. The following article is submitted by Steven Mitchael, a member of the Museum Commission.

Progress continues on the expansion at the Gravette Historical Museum as the exterior nears completion. The building was designed to resemble an outbuilding that would have been typical during the turn of the century and is meant to complement the adjacent Historic Kindley Home which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also protected by a Preservation Easement.

The interior is scheduled for completion in the spring. The Museum Commission announced that a grand opening celebration will be held on Gravette Days 2011.

The expansion incorporates the former 480 square feet into a facility just under 2,300 square feet. The new structure will house both permanent and temporary exhibits and will provide meeting space. The expansion allows the museum to continue to grow and properly care for its many exhibits.

The expansion will also allow the museum to furnish the Historic Kindley House as a period home typical of the early 1900s, which is during the period when Field Kindley (a highly decorated World War I pilot credited with 12 confirmed aerial victories) lived there. The exhibits in many of the rooms are nearing completion and will be able to be finalized once the static exhibits move to the new building.

The museum’s entrance will be adjacent to the historic Kindley House. The museum is located at 503 Charlotte Street S.E.

The museum was established in 1995 with just a few pieces of Gravette’s history. Today it has grown to a collection of more than 4,000 individual pieces of Gravette’s history. A few of the more prominent displays include Johnny’s Barbershop, Senior Class photos, a train layout of Gravette in 1920 and a Field Kindley display which depicts his life story. The museum has maintained an average yearly visitation of more than 400 persons.

A grant from the Arkansas Department of Rural Services General Improvement Fund has funded approximately half of the new project with the balance coming from private and corporate giving. No public or city funding has been used for this project.

Private funding is important to the museum and provides for sustained growth. This growth provides the community an opportunity to have a continued learning experience about Gravette’s rich culture and history. Gifts to the museum can be made at the City Administration Building or by contacting a Commission member.

Become part of Gravette’s history - visit your museum today!

News, Pages 1 on 12/29/2010