History Alive!: Her Story.

Fort Smith Museum of History presents:

History Alive!: Her Story.

Saturday March 9 at 1:00 PM

The event will conclude with a Tea, program time is approximately 1:00-3:00 pm

a: 320 Rogers Avenue

p: 479-783-7841

e: info@fortsmithmuseum.com

w: fortsmithmusuem.org

In honor of Women’s History Month (March 2024) the Fort Smith Museum of History will present History Alive!: Her Story. This special live reenactment event will honor women in Fort Smith whose contributions throughout the city’s history have significantly affected women’s causes, organizations, communities, or their personal lives. Guides will lead attendees from station to station throughout the two floors of the FSMH; the program begins at 1:00 pm. An afternoon tea will follow the reenactment program. Tickets are available at fortsmithmusuem.org.

Join us for an afternoon of Women’s History and Her Story. at the FSMH on March 9 as we share the impactful lives led by women who have helped shaped the history and community of Fort Smith. Reenactors will be available for questions and discussions during the afternoon tea.

Attendees will meet the wife of Bass Reeves, Jennie, and hear the trials and successes of her life; Mame Josenburger, a business woman and teacher who’s national involvement with the NAACP directly impacted local events; the founder of the Fort Smith, John Roger’s wife, Mrs. Mary Rogers and learn of her impact on local commerce; and “Flapper Fannie”, a character developed to combat the ironies of female stereotypes of the era. Attendees will also learn of Mrs. Mae A. Fentress, the first female embalmer in the state of AR; the influence the life of Mrs. Florence Clayton had on the local educational system; the eclectic writing styles and history of local author, Thyra Sampter Winslow; and the choice made by the state’s 1st dental hygenist, Dymple Johnson, that led to the first woman casting a vote in an election in the South.  The program finishes with the portrayals of Mrs. Isabelle Bass, a women involved with civic duties that changed the landscape of the local Black community; Mary Jacobs Brown who instituted the beautification programs at the local Fort Smith parks; the women who acted as the backbone of the WWII homefront efforts; and the women who brought art to life in Fort Smith.

Women in Fort Smith history and their reenactors:

Mrs. Jennie Reeves, portrayed by Sharon Ray

Mame Josenburger, portrayed by Sherry Toliver

Mrs. Mary Rogers, portrayed by Susie Brooks

“Flapper Fannie”, portrayed by Cindy Clark

Mrs. Mae A. Fentress, portrayed by Les Johnson

Mrs. Florence Clayton, portrayed by Nancy Ahlert

Thyra Samter Winslow, portrayed by Debbie Carney

Dymple Johnson, portrayed by Susan Trisler

Mrs. Isabelle Bass, portrayed by Talicia Richardson

Mary Jacobs Brown, portrayed by Raygon Goodwin

Women’s Aux. Army truck driver, portrayed by Barbara Richardson

Associated Artists/Fort Smith Art Center, portrayed by Margaret Speer Carter & Julie Moncrief

History Alive!: Her Story.is a companion event that coincides with the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition, Votes for Women: A Portrait of Persistence, a poster exhibition from the Smithsonian, developed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment. Votes for Women: A Portrait of Persistence will be on display in the Boyd Gallery at the FSMH beginning March 7, 2024. This exhibition explores the complexity of the women's suffrage movement and the relevance of this history to Americans' lives today.