The topic for the third talk in the “Crawford County Chronicles” series at the Drennen-Scott
Historic Site on July 7 will be Fairview Cemetery.
Speaking will be Randy Smith, the Van Buren native who wrote the successful nomination for the cemetery to be placed in 2005 on the National Register of Historic Places.
The 2 p.m. talk will be held at the classroom of the historic home at the Drennen-Scott Historic Site, 221 N. 3rd St. in Van Buren. Limited parking will be available at the site’s Visitor Center. Those attending may also park at the Crawford County Courthouse, which is two blocks from the DSHS.
Tom Wing, DSHS site director and assistant professor of history at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, said the topic is a natural one for the series since the cemetery and John Drennen are tied together.
“John Drennen donated the land for the cemetery in 1837,” said Wing, “a year after he purchased it.”
Smith said his talk and presentation about Fairview will include a brief history of the cemetery and the scenery around the cemetery, such as the Van Buren Mystery Grave, the Carriage Mounting Steps, the Confederate section of the cemetery and the wrought iron gates. He will also talk about how he decided to try and get the cemetery placed on the National Register, a process which started in 2004.
“I did this as an act of volunteerism,” Smith said. “While working on the National Register nomination, I began to read everything I could about historic preservation as it relates to cemeteries and, in particular, historic monuments.”
After the cemetery went on the National Register, Smith thought he was done. A violent thunderstorm which damaged the Wallace Children’s Commemorative Monument changed that.
“In order to ensure that a professional conservator would put the monument back together, I wrote the first-ever preservation grant for Fairview Cemetery,” he said.
Because the cemetery was on the National Register, it qualified for grant funds from the Arkansas Historic Preservation program. Smith said his first grant request failed due to prioritization, but he re-wrote the grant in 2007. It was awarded.
“The monument and the children’s accompanying tablet markers were professionally restored with grant funds and funds from the City of Van Buren,” he said.
Smith’s alliance with history, however, wasn’t ending there. He was then approached to help produce a “Tales of the Crypt” historic presentation for Fairview in conjunction with Tom Wing and his historic interpretation students at UAFS.
Smith will also discuss community involvement at Fairview, including the way the community came together to assist with an AETN documentary on historic cemeteries in Arkansas.
“In many ways, Fairview can be seen as much more than just a cemetery,” said Smith. “It’s an outdoor classroom and learning lab, too. UAFS has been very involved with Fairview, not only Tom Wing’s students doing ‘Tales of the Crypt’ portrayals, but we’ve also had Dr. Suzanne Horn’s class, Dr. Steven Kite’s class and Duncan McKinnon’s class participating in actual conservation cleaning of historic monuments.”
Smith is the third lifelong resident of Crawford County to present a program in the “Crawford County Chronicles” Series. The talks are held on the first Sunday of each month through November.
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. 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.
Seating for the talks is limited and must be reserved. For reservations and more information, contact Wing by telephone at 479-262-2750 or by email at tom.wing@uafs.edu.