Gravette in photos acquired by Gravette Historical Museum

GRAVETTE -- The Gravette Museum Commission received a new acquisition last month, a unique book that documents the city of Gravette in photographs. Titled "Gravette, The Heart of Hometown America," the volume was written by an Englishman with family ties to the city's founder.

Author Chris Gravett said he discovered the city of Gravette by accident while Googling. After doing some research, he discovered that Ellis Tillman Gravett's family line and his met in the early 16th century in Steying, Sussex, England. He communicated with people in Gravette and decided to visit here, planning to make a documentary on the community.

Gravett decided to make a "coffee table" photobook and use it as the project for his bachelor's degree in photography. He was completing the degree as a student at the University of Westminster in London. He visited Gravette in November, 2014, and again in March, 2015, meeting some of the people, learning about the culture and trying to understand the community. He said he was overwhelmed by the warmth and friendliness of the people and "amazed by the fantastic high school."

Gravett's first visit was six days long. He said he was quite emotional when he arrived for his second 10-day visit.

"I felt attached to the community," he said. "It was a great experience. I felt I bonded deeply with many people. I felt privileged to have made such a bond with this small Arkansas community."

The author describes the book as a photographic documentary of his perceptions of Gravette.

"It is not a tourist book. It is not to promote Gravette in any particular light. It is a visual statement made by an Englishman, a foreigner, with a tenuous family link and, hopefully, an open mind."

Gravett said he hoped to give readers of his book an opportunity to form their own impressions from his images. There is little writing, just the photos with brief captions on each. The photos are divided into separate categories, such as businesses, churches and people.

The book at the Gravette Historical Museum is one of only three that were printed, but Gravett hopes to secure funding for publishing a larger quantity. He plans to exhibit his work in London later this year and in the U.S. in the future.

In the letter Gravett sent with the book, he wrote: "Thank you to the community of Gravette who welcomed and befriended me so warmly. I will surely return one day. 'Gravette, the Heart of Hometown America' has and will always have a special place in my heart."