The Jacksonville Historical Museum is set to reopen in March.
Local volunteers led by Lida Feller have been working to reopen the museum, which will be located in the Chopsticks International Events Center at 201 W. Main St.
“As a child, I was never interested in history,” Feller said. “It wasn’t until I was in my 40s, when I started researching my own family history, that everything changed. That experience showed me where I fit into a much bigger story, and my interest in history began to grow. From there, I started learning more about the history of Jacksonville — the town my father chose to retire in after serving in the Air Force and where he decided to raise his family. Everyone has a story about how they ended up in Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Historical Museum can help people discover those stories and connect their family history to the history of our community.”
Kris Allen.
Also showcased will be items connected to prominent Jacksonville natives including 2009 American Idol winner Kris Allen and AY Media Group president and publisher Heather Baker, who assisted in the reorganization of the museum. Also included will be artwork from Marvin Lindley, a retired Jacksonville High School art teacher and well-known Arkansas artist.
AY Media Group president and publisher Heather Baker.
Feller said her vision is to preserve any and all historical items related to Jacksonville and to help create a historical district in the city, which would run from Mulberry Street to South First and from First to Second streets. She said this area was the original downtown. Feller also wants to create a replica of the city’s old train depot, where people “can sit and enjoy beverages and watch trains go by.” Inside the depot would be a visitor’s center.
Feller said this reopening is “just the beginning” for the museum. She credited Baker, Jerry Sanders and other volunteers for their help in bringing the museum back to life.
