Red River Symposium Researchers Workshop

Historic Washington State Park is holding its 20^th Annual Red River Heritage Symposium on July 24-25, 2026.

The conference theme is “Threads Along the Red River: 250 Years at One of America’s Crossroads,” and topics will focus on significant American events in the 19th century in the Great Bend Region of the Red River.

The park is offering an all-day Researcher Workshop on Friday, July 24, and a morning program on Saturday, July 25, for all interested teachers and researchers. Lunch will be provided for both workshops. Presenters at both the workshop and symposium will cover topics related to the theme.

The cost is $25 per person for the Friday workshop and $15 for Saturday morning. Lunch for both days is included in the cost. We also encourage you to attend the symposium for $20.  If you attend all programs, we are offering a discounted price of $50. A total of 12 credit hours can be earned by teachers attending the entire event. If you would like to come, please register with the park before July 18 by calling 870-983-2684.

Details!

Researcher and Teacher’s Workshop, Friday, July 24

8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Registration check–in (6-hour credit provided) 1874 Courthouse Visitor Center

9:00 – 9:15 a.m.: Introduction to Historic Washington State Park – Brunson House
Chris Adams, Historic Washington State Park

9:15 – 9:45 a.m.: American/Arkansas 250 resources from the State Archives – This is a significant year for the country, celebrating 250 years. Learn about resources offered by the Arkansas State Archives that coincide with the celebration.
Brian Irby, Arkansas State Archives

10:00 – 10:45 a.m.: Finding your American Revolutionary War ancestors – Learn how you can research and find potential ancestors that fought in the American Revolution. Learn which resources you can use, which military unit they were in, and where they fought.  
Melissa Nesbitt, Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives

11:00 – 11:45 a.m.: “An Uneasy Freedom”: Free African Americans in the Antebellum Red River region – Even during the time of slavery, there was a sizable Free population of African Americans that lived in the Red River region. Hear about some of their stories.
Josh Williams, Historic Washington State Park 

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.: Lunch Break – Sandwich Lunch

1:00 – 1:45 p.m.: Understanding and Deciphering 19^th Century Handwriting – Would you like to learn how to read old cursive penmanship? This is a great hands-on workshop to help you learn different patterns in writing styles.
Mae Dyer, Historic Washington State Park  

2:00 – 2:45 p.m.: African American Highlights of Southwest Arkansas – Several African-American people made significant contributions in the Red River region. Did you know that a school similar to Tuskegee Institute in Alabama was founded in Washington, Arkansas? Learn about the leaders who started the school.   
Julian Williams, Local Historian

2:45 – 3:00 p.m.: Break 

3:00 – 3:45 p.m.: Trial by Jury: Understanding Law and Order – Learn about a period murder trial and how it would work in the 1840s in southwest Arkansas. How was the justice system different from the court system today?
Chris Adams, Historic Washington State Park 

Saturday, July 26

9 a.m. – Noon: (3-hour credit provided) Brunson House, Pathway of Trammel’s Trace through the Red River Region
Take a bus tour to see some of the locations where this older pathway was located in the Red River region.
Tour sponsored by the Arkansas State Archives. 

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.: Lunch Break – Burger Lunch 

1 p.m. – 5 p.m.: 20th Annual Red River Heritage Symposium “Threads Along the Red River”                       (3-hour credit provided) Brunson House

Speaker Presentations w/ Question and Answer

“Hunter and Dunbar Expedition and Exploration in Southwest Arkansas”
The Hunter and Dunbar Expedition was sent by United States President Thomas Jefferson to explore the source of the Ouachita River. Hear about this early expedition in the area and what they found.
Pam Beasley, Historic Washington State Park

“Documenting Trammel’s Trace”
Trammel’s Trace was a significant road through the Red River region. Learn where the original road is located today and why it is important.
Gary Pinkerton, Local Author and Historian

BREAK

“Methodist Influence and Circuit Riders”                                      
Learn about the impact of the early Methodist Circuit riders in the Red River region as they reached out to the new settlers in the region.
Keenan Williams, Methodist Minister and Local Historian

“Civil War Battle of Prairie D’Ane Archaeology”
Learn about the impact of the nearest Civil War battlefield to Washington, Arkansas in April 1864 and what archaeology has uncovered about this military engagement.  
Dr. Carl Drexler, Arkansas Archeological Survey

**Schedule may be subject to change. Inquire at the Historic Washington State Park Visitor Center for any updates**