Meet The Team

Caroline Speir

Executive Director

Caroline Speir joined the FSMH staff as a Historical Interpreter in 2008 and moved into the job of Exhibit Designer in 2009. In 2019, she assumed the role of Executive Director. A native of Fort Smith and a life-long resident of the area, Ms. Speir's family roots have a long history in Fort Smith, AR and Sequoyah County, OK.

Ms. Speir was a member of the 2017 City of Fort Smith Bicentennial Committee, has been a supporting member of the UAFS Charles Portis Symposium Committee, and in early 2023, co-chaired the committee to “twin” with Fort Smith’s newest sister city, Nago-Torbole, Italy. In April 2023, Nago-Torbole, Italy and Fort Smith, AR became International Sister Cities. Currently, she sits on the Board of the Western Arkansas Mountain Frontier as the WAMF Director, Vice President of Sebastian County, is a member of the Network for Executive, and is the Committee Chair for the Fort Smith General Darby Challenge—a military ruck and half-marathon honoring General William O. Darby and Fort Smith’s Sister Cities, Cisterna, Italy and Nago-Torbole, Italy. She is also an Ambassador for the City of Fort Smith.

She also holds a B.A. in History/Public History from the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. In 2020 she was awarded the Walter L. Brown Award for Best Community History in a state or local journal for her piece, "From Cuba to Chaffee: The Impact of Refugee Laws, Life In Detainment, and the Lingering Perception of "Marielitos" in Arkansas" which was published in the September 2020 issue of the Fort Smith Historical Society's publication, The Journal.

She shares the passion with which the community of Fort Smith embraces its history and works to educate the public about Fort Smith's more than 200 years’ worth of history.

Exhibitions Designer/Graphic Artist

Garry Williamson

Garry is a Fort Smith native who moved to Memphis, TN after high school to attend college where he received his Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in graphic design and illustration from Memphis College of Art. Shortly after graduating college he was hired as the first in-house designer for Graceland, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. in Memphis. While working in the Creative Resources dept. at Graceland, he worked with all departments of the company with any creative assistance and visual development. After living and working in Memphis for 20+ years, Garry moved back home to Fort Smith, AR to be closer to his family. He first started as a volunteer worker at FSMH in Spring of 2020 and shortly after, was hired on to fill the position of Museum Exhibit Designer. He is excited at the opportunity to help present and share the colorful and fascinating history of Fort Smith.

Curations Assistant

Grace Devero

Ms. Devero assists visitors in the museum at the front desk, soda fountain, and gift shop. She wears many hats! She also assists with curatorial duties, in-house bookkeeping, and research requests. A graduate of the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, Ms. Devero holds a B. A. in History.

Visitor Experience

Calvin Evans

Mr. Evans assists visitors at the front desk, soda fountain, and gift shop. A life long resident of Fort Smith, he is very knowledgeable of the area's history and specializes in engaging visitors to share his knowledge.

Assistant to the Director

Scherron Brunk

Scherron Brunk began her role as an Assistant to the Director at the Fort Smith Museum of History in May 2023. In addition to her primary role, Mrs. Brunk oversees the Museum Store and gift shop. She is a life-long resident of Sequoyah County and surrounding area and is a graduate of Northeastern State University with a BA in Sociology and Minor in Business.

Please find her at: scherron.brunk@fortsmithmuseum.com

Membership Specialist

Jacqulyn H. West

Jacqulyn Harper West is the Membership Specialist at the Fort Smith Museum of History. She is a Texas native and long-time Fort Smith resident.

A nonfiction writer, poet of unfinished parts, and graduate of the Arkansas Writers Workshop, she holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Central Arkansas, and intends to follow up on her memoir, "Breaking Up with Fort Smith," as soon as tomorrow. Reach Jacqulyn directly at jackie.west@fortsmithmuseum.com

Open Tuesday - Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

(479) 783-7841
info@fortsmithmuseum.com

Meet The Team