Tom Wing, director of the Drennen-Scott Historic Site in Van Buren, will kick off this year’s “Crawford County Chronicles” series on April 6, with two time options for those wishing to attend.
Wing’s talk -- “Crawford County and Arkansas in the Mexican War” -- will be offered at 1:30 p.m. and again at 3 p.m. Space is limited and reservations are required.
“The Natural State’s legacy in the Mexican War is a fascinating story of some of Arkansas’s most colorful and influential characters,” said Wing, citing Albert Pike, Archibald Yell and Sam Houston as examples.
“They and many others played an important role in our state’s participation in the war,” said Wing. “On a larger scale, the war was a training ground for soldiers who fought later in the Civil War.”
The Chronicles series had waiting lists last year for each of the monthly programs, provided free at the Drennen-Scott house, 221 N. 3rd St. in Van Buren. The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith acquired the Drennen home and acreage in 2005 and received several grants to restore the property and the 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.
Wing was a park ranger and historian for the National Park Service at the Fort Smith National Historic Site for eight years before he came to UAFS in August 2004 to teach in a new bachelor's degree program in history/historical interpretation.
He served as 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 also served two terms on the board of the Arkansas Historical Association and is currently serving on the board of the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas.
A life-long resident of Fort Smith, he graduated from Northside High School and attended UAFS when it was Westark College. He then transferred to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he completed bachelor's degrees in anthropology and secondary education. He has a master's degree in history from the University of Oklahoma. He is currently working on a Ph.D. at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas.
John Drennen was a founder of Van Buren, politician, Indian agent, landowner and businessman. Charles Scott was Drennen's business partner who eventually married Drennen's eldest daughter. Charles and Caroline Scott inherited control of the estate after Drennen's death in 1855.
Limited parking is available at the Visitor Center located on the DSHS property. Those attending may also park at the Crawford County Courthouse, which is two blocks from the Drennen-Scott Historic Site.
The Chronicles series will continue each month through November, with guest speakers covering a variety of historical topics significant to the region.
For reservations and more information, contact Wing by telephone at 479-262-2750 or by email at tom.wing@uafs.edu.