UAFS Assistant Professor of History and Drennen-Scott Historic Site Director Tom Wing was named a board member of the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas (HPAA) earlier this month.

The HPAA is a statewide non-profit organization that advocates historical preservation in Arkansas. It was founded in 1981 with the mission of educating, advocating and assisting preservation efforts across the state.

Wing, who will serve a four-year term, said it was “an honor” to be named to the board.  

“The Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas is a statewide organization focused on the issues of preservation, and I am looking forward to helping the board and membership achieve their mission,” he said.

Other new board members include Rep. Eddie Armstrong of North Little Rock, Sammy Angel of Lake Village, Jodi Barnes of Monticello, and Leslie Ward of Little Rock.

Wing previously received an award for excellence in preservation education from the HPAA in 2006. In 2012, the organization awarded the UAFS Drennen-Scott project for excellence in historic preservation.

Wing has previously served as the chair of the West Central Arkansas War Heritage Trail and was appointed by the Arkansas Secretary of State to serve on the Advisory Team for the Bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase. He has also served two terms on the board of the Arkansas Historical Association.

UAFS acquired the Drennen home and acreage in 2005 and received several grants to restore the property and house, which dates back to the 1800s. The Drennen-Scott Historic Site, which opened to the public in May 2011, serves as a museum and educational facility for UAFS. John Drennen was a founder of Van Buren, politician, Indian agent, landowner and businessman.

The home was purchased from descendants of John Drennen and Charles Scott -- Caroline Bercher of Lavaca, Scott Bulloch of Van Buren and Drennen Bulloch of Little Rock. The three are fifth-generation descendants of the home’s original owner, John Drennen.