University Libraries Host Civil War Exhibit

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Banners from the Arkansas History Commission exhibit commemorating the Civil War in Arkansas.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University Libraries are hosting Fought in earnest: Civil War Arkansas in the southwest hallway of Mullins Library through the end of April. This is a traveling exhibit from the Arkansas History Commission chronicling major historical events in Arkansas between 1861 and 1865.

Fought in earnest contains 15 free-standing banners that showcase images from the Arkansas History Commission’s holdings. Original documents, photographs, maps, drawings, paintings and artifacts illustrate the story of the Civil War in Arkansas. These primary source materials offer a first-hand look at the lives of Confederate and Union soldiers, government officials and civilians from 1861 to 1865.

“We wanted to develop several types of materials to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Civil War in Arkansas,” said Lisa Speer, state historian and the History Commission’s director. “I am very pleased that the University of Arkansas Libraries is sharing this intimate glimpse into Arkansas’ role in the Civil War with their visitors and community.”

During its 107-year existence, the State Archives has actively collected materials from this crucial era in our nation and our state. The primary source materials referenced in the exhibit tell the story of the Civil War from an Arkansas perspective: diaries written by soldiers and citizens; letters to mothers, fathers, wives, sweethearts, brothers, and sisters; military orders, newspaper accounts, photographs, broadsides, and party invitations recount the day-to-day lives during the most significant event in 19th century America. The variety of items represents the breadth of the Commission’s Civil War resources, while thousands more documents are available to researchers.

The University Libraries’ Special Collections also has numerous collections documenting Arkansas’ role in the Civil War, and researchers are encouraged to visit to view these unique items. An exhibit showcasing some of the department’s holdings has been installed in the commons area of Mullins Library to complement the Fought in earnest exhibit. Researchers are encouraged to visit special collections for additional information. The special collections department continually seeks materials that document the state’s physical, social and cultural history, especially materials documenting human rights movements in Arkansas. Readers should contact Tim Nutt, department head, if they have materials they wish to donate. For more information, contact special collections at 479-575-5577 or specoll@uark.edu.