Fall 2018 Facts and Fiddlings Published

Facts and Fiddlings journal, Faulkner County Historical Society

The Fall 2018 edition of Faulkner Facts and Fiddlings, the journal of the Faulkner County Historical Society, is now available. This new issue features articles about the Pine Street School, the Conway High School “pods” and the recent archaeological discoveries at Camp Halsey in northern Faulkner County.

Over the past year, the Pine Street CommUnity Project committee, led by Anthony Hoskins, has been gathering memorabilia, artifacts and interviews for a museum to be housed at 601 Spruce Street. In addition to several historical articles that have been reprinted about Pine Street School, there is an article about the museum project as well as pictures of some of the new exhibits.

It was in the fall of 1968 that the new Conway High School opened on Highway 60 on the western outskirts of Conway. The hexagonal pod-type complex and the new “packet” curriculum were unique, to say the least. Many Conway students attended this school until it was razed in 2012. The article includes pictures of the complex when it opened 50 years ago.

This past summer, UCA students under the direction of Dr. Duncan P. McKinnon and Faulkner County Museum Director Lynita Langley-Ware conducted archaeological field studies at Camp Halsey, one mile east of Woolly Hollow State Park. In 1934, the U.S. Army constructed Camp Halsey as the first Soil Conservation Camp in Arkansas and it also served as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp from 1937-39. Langley-Ware shares their discoveries in this report.

Another article updates readers on the Faulkner County Museum’s Yearbook Project—collecting old yearbooks from local colleges and high schools. Check their list to see if there are any of these old yearbooks buried in closets and donate them to the museum. They will be displayed in a new exhibit coming to the museum.

Museum Director Langley-Ware gives an update on recent renovations taking place at the museum as well as new exhibits and acquisitions. There is also an “In Memoriam” article about Dr. George Thompson, the museum’s first director, who passed away October 20.

The issue is available for $4 at the Faulkner County Museum and the Faulkner County Library. Members of the Faulkner County Historical Society receive a copy as part of their membership benefits.