Hola Arkansas
Posted on 05-15-2006

Arkansas to visit historic Mexico through a living event at the Old State House Museum

¡Hola! Arkansas Staff Writers

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Old State House Museum’s exhibit, Try Us: Arkansas and the U.S.-Mexican War, details Arkansas’s role in the war between Mexico and the United States from 1846 to 1848. “Since the exhibit’s opening last June, the Old State House has explored the topic through a variety of related programs and events including scholarly lectures, presentations, and living history events,” said Amy Peck, the museum public relations director.



Saltillo, Mexico, was one of the towns occupied by Arkansas troops during the Mexican War. One Arkansas solider described Saltillo as having a central plaza that reminded him of home with its “row of columns similar to the [Old] State House….”



This day long event will revisit the site and era through living history performances, demonstrations, traditional Mexican food, music, and dance. Visitors can interact with living historians and experience characterizations of U.S. and Mexican soldiers and civilians throughout the day. Dr. Bruce Winders, curator and historian for the Alamo, and Bill Frazier, curator of the Old State House Museum’s exhibit Try Us: Arkansas and the U.S.-



Mexican War, will conduct gallery talks. Visitors can enjoy large-scale living history demonstrations at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm and participate in a fandango from 7:00-9:00 pm. Most events will take place on the museum grounds; in the event of rain however, he activities will be moved indoors.



The Saltillo Sojourn is free to the public. For more information, visit the museum’s website at www.oldstatehouse.com or call (501) 324-9685.