Historium to host quilt exhibit, old-time music event and Native American culture day
Well-known fiddler H.K. Silvey of Thornfield, along with Alvie Dooms of Ava, J.R. Johnston of Norwood and David Scrivner of Kissee Mills are expected to participate in an old-time music get-together and discussion to be hosted at the Ozark County Historium at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24. The discussion will be moderated by Kaitlyn McConnell, creator of the popular “Ozarks Alive” online blog.
The Ozark County Historium in Gainesville will host colorful, musical and informative events in February and March.
The Historium’s latest quilt exhibit is The Best of Both Worlds: Quilts by Sisters Martha Martin and Donna Lemons. These talented women who live in Dora provide examples of the traditional, every-stitch-by-hand craft (quilts created by Martha) and its modern interpretation, with piecing and quilting done by machine (by Donna.) Their quilts will be on display at the Historium from Feb. 1 through March 16. The exhibit is free and available during regular Historium hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. (See next week’s Times for more about this eye-catching exhibit.)
At 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, the Historium will host an old-time music get-together. Kaitlyn McConnell, who writes a popular blog, “Ozarks Alive,” will moderate a discussion among the musicians about their musical roots, experiences and anecdotes. H.K. Silvey of Thornfield, Alvie Dooms of Ava and J.R. Johnston of Norwood have indicated they will come, along with their younger protege, David Scrivner of Kissee Mills. Following the discussion, the musicians will play music. This event is free and open to the public, and seating will be available on a first come, first served basis. If the weather is bad, the event will be postponed to a later date.
On March 6, the Historium will host a day celebrating Native American culture. Speakers and presenters for this free event include Carol Silvey of West Plains, speaking on the history and distribution of the original tribes as well as the removal via the Trail of Tears of the Cherokee; Vince Anderson, archivist at the Donald W. Reynolds Library in Mountain Home, Arkansas, on resources available for those researching their Native American roots; and Jim Decker of West Plains and Pam Dale of Tecumseh, speaking about locally found Native American artifacts. All four of the presenters have Ozark County roots. This event will begin at 10 a.m. and will extend into the afternoon. Historium volunteers are particularly interested in encouraging students to attend, if possible. Local school teachers are invited to bring groups. For more information, contact Janet Taber at 417-265-3372 or janettaber@gmail.com.