Two Arkansas State Parks receive awards from Arkansas Museums Association

Three total awards given to Arkansas State Parks

The Arkansas Museums Association (AMA) recently announced three awards for Arkansas State Parks.

Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park was awarded Outstanding Achievement in Collections Care Conservation for updating its collections storage facility to better care for museum artifacts. Historic Washington State Park received awards in two categories: Outstanding Achievement of the Year in Exhibitions for the “Saying Goodbye: Funeral Traditions of the 19th Century” exhibit and Outstanding Achievement of the Year in Education for the “Saying Goodbye to Jenny” living history program.

Prairie Grove’s collection management facility was updated in 2022 to better care for the artifacts that help interpret the Civil War Battle of Prairie Grove. This project helps ensure the artifacts are preserved for future generations.

Visitors to Historic Washington can view the “Saying Goodbye” exhibit located in the Courthouse Visitor Center through Labor Day weekend. The exhibit explores local 19th-century funeral traditions in Washington and surrounding areas. Artifacts related to funeral traditions, such as a hair wreath and mourning cards, are available for visitors to view. The exhibit also includes the clock that was stopped at the death of Arkansas Gov. Daniel W. Jones, who was from Washington.

The Arkansas Museums Association (AMA) was founded in 1966 as an organization of museums and museum personnel dedicated to the promotion of professional standards in Arkansas museums, the encouragement of interaction between members and the development of public support for and interest in Arkansas museums. Each year, AMA presents awards to celebrate and encourage excellence within Arkansas museums. Arkansas State Parks is an institutional member of the AMA.