Arkansas Historic Preservation Program

05/15/2026

Exciting news: "I am pleased that the City of Harrison is now a part of our Certified Local Government program," said AHPP Director Scott Kaufman. "This program has a proven record of fostering historic preservation and economic development for municipalities not only in Arkansas but also nationally. I know that the City of Harrison will greatly benefit from this exclusive program, and I look forward to following their successes."

HARRISON, Ark.- The City of Harrison is now Arkansas’s 22nd Certified Local Government (CLG) community, according to the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. State officials announced May …

05/14/2026

We can't resist sharing more photos from last weekend's cemetery preservation workshop at Historic Cane Hill. Thank you to everyone who came to learn, clean, and reset historic gravestones! 🪦

We're sad to mention that this workshop was the last one that will be coordinated by our historian Holly Hope, as she plans to ride off into the sunset of retirement in the coming months. Holly has coordinated 50-60 (or more?) of these workshops over the years and has taught countless people about the best methods of gravestone care. Thank you, Holly, for the good work you've done equipping people to protect Arkansas' historic cemeteries! 🧡

05/14/2026

Want to soak up some Arkansas history this weekend? It's Pioneer Days in Norfork tomorrow and Saturday, May 14-15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Jacob Wolf House grounds will come alive again with early nineteenth-century activity. Experience living history among the frontier camps of period reenactors—meet a French fur trader, explore traditional crafts, and connect with an ancestral way of life. See an old-fashioned keelboat up close and imagine how travelers used to arrive at the Wolf House via the White River. The Early Arkansaw Reenactors Association and the Trans-Mississippi Pioneers will be your guides to the living past.

Make sure to tour the historic Jacob Wolf House. Built in the 1820s as a county courthouse and later used as a home, this log cabin is the last remaining two-story dogtrot public structure in the United States. The house was also a witness to Indian Removal and is part of the National Park Service’s Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.

Pioneer Days weekend will be full of activities for the whole family. In addition to the Jacob Wolf House, other venues in town will host a parade, music, food, contests, and more.

It's that time of year again! The city of Norfork is hosting its annual Pioneer Days festival on May 15 - 16 and the Jacob Wolf House is joining in on the fun.

Stop by for a guided tour, meet historical reenactors, and experience what life was like in frontier Arkansas. You can even explore a keel boat and learn about early river commerce.

Come step back in time with us!

05/11/2026

We love helping people learn how to care for the historic cemeteries in their communities! It was a pleasure to serve people in Northwest Arkansas this past weekend.

05/07/2026

The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program is excited to team up with the Arkansas Department of Education to release a brand‑new Arkansas250 coloring book: “Happy 250th, America!”

Designed for students in grades K–4, this special semiquincentennial edition introduces young learners to nationally significant historic places right here in Arkansas—Arkansas Post, the Louisiana Purchase Survey Initial Point, Crater of Diamonds State Park, the Buffalo National River, and more.

Diana the Butterfly returns as our trusty guide, and this time she’s joined by Semi and Quinn, ADE’s Labrador retriever mascots from the “Journey Across Arkansas” curriculum, to help kids explore the state’s history in a fun, colorful way.

📬 Want a printed copy?
Request one from the AHPP office at [email protected] or 501-324-9150.

🎨 Prefer to download it?
Click here to get your copy! https://www.arkansasheritage.com/arkansas-preservation/programs/youth-education/teaching-materials

04/24/2026

Judging entries in a student art contest is fun, but not easy! The art is all so good! 🎨🖌️

This was the 35th annual Preserve Our Past art and essay contest, where Arkansas students use their creative talents to depict their favorite historic places in our state. And just like every year, we were very impressed! 🧑‍🎨

This morning, personnel at the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism had the pleasure of viewing the artworks and voting for the best ones. Winners will be announced in the coming weeks. 🏆

Thank you, students, for your amazing work! Keep letting historic places spark your imagination!

04/23/2026

AHPP staff were proud to share about our work at the Preserving the Natural State event at Hot Springs National Park this past weekend. Jessica Cogburn and Megan Willmes greeted visitors with warm smiles on a chilly day, handed out maps and brochures, and did creative activities with kids.

During this year of America's 250th birthday, Hot Springs is marking 194 years (as of this week!) of being the oldest federally protected natural resource. To celebrate, they brought together agencies and organizations involved in protecting Arkansas' landscapes and stories to meet people and let them see what we do. AHPP was one of at least 15 organizations represented at this event that reached nearly 700 people from Arkansas and beyond.

03/31/2026

It's time for the Preserve Our Past art and essay contest! We're inviting students in 5th through 8th grades to send us original artwork or essays about historic sites in Arkansas. The deadline for submissions is April 15.

Winning works will be professionally framed and hung at Historic Arkansas Museum throughout the summer. The students whose works are selected also receive a trophy.

But the best thing about this contest? Spending creative energy engaging with Arkansas history is a fun reward of its own!

Contest details and entry form here: https://www.arkansasheritage.com/teacher-resources/preserve-our-past

03/06/2026

The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program is hosting this month’s Sandwiching in History tour at the Arkansas Post Museum State Park. on Friday, March 6, at noon!
Founded in 1686, Arkansas Post was the first European settlement in Arkansas and played a major role in our state’s early history—from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War.
This special tour is also an Arkansas250 event celebrating the U.S. Semiquincentennial 🇺🇸. A dedication ceremony for a new Arkansas250 historical marker will take place that morning.
📍 Come explore where Arkansas history began.

01/23/2026

The City of Fayetteville made a strong investment in historic preservation this week with the creation of the Oak Grove Historic District, a local ordinance district that was initiated by neighborhood property owners.

The Oak Grove Historic District has preserved unique homes designed by Noah Fields Drake as well as other craftsman homes in the heart of the city. The success of this historic district proposal shows the power of grassroots neighborhood organizing. AHPP is honored to be part of the process and work alongside the community to protect a special place.

Unlike National Register historic districts, which are honorary, local ordinance districts provide for regulatory oversight and are a prerequisite for cities that want to participate in our CLG program. CLGs, or Certified Local Governments, are communities that have made a commitment to preserve their cultural and architectural history through the creation of local ordinances, which are extensions of federal and state preservation programs. As partners with state and federal preservation offices, CLGs have exclusive access to annual grants passed down from the federal government to the states. Arkansas currently has 21 CLGs, and there are more than 2,000 CLG communities across America.

Congratulations to Fayetteville for their visionary work to protect their historic treasures!

https://loom.ly/5RvfVec

Oak Grove will become the city's first residential historic preservation district.