Historic Washington State Park to Host 19th Annual Red River Heritage Symposium
Focus to highlight Trail of Tears in the Red River Region
Educators, researchers, and history enthusiasts from across the region are invited to attend the 19th Annual Red River Heritage Symposium, set to take place July 25–26 at Historic Washington State Park. This year’s theme centers on “The Trail of Tears in the Red River Region,” offering a deeper look into the forced removal of the Choctaw Nation and its historical impact on southwest Arkansas and neighboring areas.
The event begins Friday, July 25, with a full-day workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the 1874 Courthouse. Designed for educators and researchers, the workshop offers six professional development credit hours and includes lunch. Presenters will provide insight into incorporating this vital history into modern classroom curriculum.
On Saturday, July 26, the program continues with a morning field trip, featuring a bus tour along the historic Fort Towson Road, a route historically connected to the Choctaw removal. Sponsored by the Arkansas State Archives, this portion of the symposium offers three additional credit hours and includes lunch.
Saturday afternoon concludes the event with formal symposium sessions, also eligible for three credit hours. Presenters will include experts from Historic Washington State Park, the Arkansas State Archives, Fort Towson Historic Site, and the UALR Sequoyah National Research Center. Sessions will focus on historical and educational perspectives surrounding the Trail of Tears and Native American history in the Red River region.
Participants who attend the full two-day symposium can receive a discounted registration rate of $50, covering all events and a total of 12 professional development hours. Individual pricing is also available:
$25 for Friday’s workshop
$15 for Saturday morning’s field trip
$20 for the Saturday afternoon symposium
The registration deadline is July 23. For more information or to register, contact the park visitor center at (870) 983-2684.