NORTHERN LIGHTS: Lane Hotel burns, dimly for museum party

— A lack of running water and a blown fuse didn’t deter a celebration of the Rogers Historical Museum’s 35th anniversary and its renewal of accreditation by the American Association of Museums. The reception was held downtown in the historic Lane Hotel across from the museum grounds.

Gaye Bland, director of the museum, read to the small crowd a proclamation by Mayor Steve Womack naming Oct. 25 as Rogers Historical Museum Day.

Museum volunteers and foundation members placed candles on tables in the dark dining room to light the way to the hors d’oeuvres and cake provided by the foundation and Bread and Butter Bakery.

The antique lights were on in the lobby to provide guests with a close-up view of the intricate original woodwork. The hotel has gone through several owners and many name changes since it was built in 1928. Its last use was as aretirement center but it has been closed since 2006.

The hotel was once the center of activity in downtown Rogers, according to Kay Calvin Sanford. She spent her childhood in the hotel when her father was the manager in the 1940s and ’50s; it was known as The Hotel Arkansas.

“We have big plans for this hotel,” Craig Hull of Hull and Co. told the group of supporters. “We have great hopes that we can put together a project here in the next few months. Pay close attention to what is happening here. We may ask you to lend a hand to make this place come alive again.”

Dan Hentschel of Cumulus Media played hits from 1975 to commemorate the year the museum opened.

Northwest Profile, Pages 40 on 10/31/2010

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