A daylong celebration Tuesday of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Historic Arkansas Museum was topped with speeches, proclamations, birthday cake and Historic Arkansas Ale in the museum's lobby.
James Warren, chairman of the museum's commission, welcomed guests and ticked off a list of museum improvements, such as air conditioning, which the museum didn't have when it opened July 19, 1941.
"So we can all be thankful for that modern convenience," Warren said.
He said he was also thankful for the many historic home tours, educational programs, exhibits and Arkansas-made objects saved over the years.
"We can also be very thankful for being blessed with having the same executive director for 44 continuous years," Warren said of retiring museum executive director Bill Worthen.
Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola proclaimed July 19 as Historic Arkansas Museum Day and former Sen. David Pryor made a special announcement renaming the museum's farmstead to the Parker Westbrook 1850s Farmstead.
Pryor said that the historic preservation advocate, who died in November, loved Arkansas and knew every nook and cranny of the state. Westbrook was also responsible for the negotiation of obtaining, moving and reassembling the historic structures now named for him.
"One sad thing about the day," Pryor noted, "is that we don't have any of Parker Westbrook's muscadine wine."
Wrapping up the speeches and presentations, Worthen toasted "everyone who brought us to where we are today."
Guests enjoyed music by Lark in the Morning. Special guest at the celebration was Marietta Gutierrez, who attended the opening of the museum in 1941 as a Girl Scout volunteer.
-- Story and photos by Cary Jenkins
High Profile on 07/24/2016