Northwest Arkansas residents got a chance to learn a little bit more about the history of the area Saturday, when Monte Harris from the Rogers Historical Museum brought a presentation on the Trail of Tears in Benton County to the Siloam Springs Museum.
Harris taught about the Trail of Tears and some of the people who passed through the region during the removal of about 50,000 Native Americans from their homelands from 1830 to 1838. The lecture followed the stories of several prominent figures and highlighted some locations that are still visible today.
"The Trail of Tears is one of the most important, historic stories we have in Northwest Arkansas," Harris said. "We should really talk about it more."
The presentation is part of the adult lecture program for the Rogers Historical Museum. After the lecture, several attendees said they had learned a lot about the Trail of Tears.
"I didn't realize how much history was in this area," said Sandra Olson. Olson is a local writer who writes medical thrillers and historic novels. She said she plans on using information she learned in the lecture in some of her new books.
"I just learned that there are a lot of local, historic stories," Olson said.
Harris said she has been interested in the Trail of Tears for a long time, studying it even before her time at the Rogers Historic Museum.
"It is very important that we not forget our history," Harris said.
After the event, the museum opened a new special exhibit on historic toys.
General News on 11/23/2016