Buffalo National River Anniversary Events Begin Today

Buffalo National River’s first weekend of 50th anniversary celebratory events kicks off today.

The press release below is from the Buffalo National River:

Now to March 1, the park is celebrating the rich cultural and geological history of the area and the creation of the park. All are invited to participate in the activities.The list includes:

Today — Parker-Hickman Farmstead Virtual Tour. Discover almost 180 years of Ozark homesteading history with Ranger Kevin Middleton during this virtual event. The presentation will be available on Buffalo National River’s Facebook page at 6 p.m. It is available to watch anytime on the Parker-Hickman Farmstead Tour website.

* Saturday — Oral History StoryCorps Event. Buffalo National River Oral History – StoryCorps Archive ensure that stories and important experiences at Buffalo National River become a part of the history of the park. Email Lauren Ray at Lauren_ray@nps.gov to reserve a time slot to have your oral history recorded. Located at the North Arkansas College in Harrison.

* Saturday — Geological History Talk. Take a walk through geologic time at Buffalo National River with Ranger Paige Preston. Explore the history of the rocks of the Buffalo and how they came to rest so majestically here in Arkansas. Be sure to wear weather-appropriate clothes and bring a chair and/or blanket to sit on. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Buffalo Point Boat Launch.

* Sunday — Beaver Jim Villines Homestead Tour. Join Kevin Middleton and the Buffalo National River Partners for an in-person outdoors guided tour of the Beaver Jim Villines Homestead. Meet at Ponca Access at 10 a.m.

* Sunday — Tribal Connections Presentation. Learn about the current and historic tribal connections that shape the cultural history of Buffalo National River. This virtual event will be held on Teams Live and will take place at 3 p.m.

* March 1 — Science Symposium. Scientists, researchers and subject matter experts from across the country are coming together to present the latest discoveries pertaining to natural and cultural resources at Buffalo National River. Speakers include scientists from The Osage Nation, U.S. Geological Survey, Cave Research Foundation, Arkansas Water Resource Center, Natural Resource Conservation Service and others. This virtual event will start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. It can be Teams Live event. See the park website for a complete schedule of speakers.

These events are a part of a series of event weekends scheduled throughout 2022 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Buffalo National River. Buffalo National River was originally designated by Congress as a public park in 1972 to conserve the unique scenic and scientific features of the area, while preserving as free flowing an important segment of the Buffalo River for the enjoyment of future generations.

Preparation for and presentation of these events are made possible by the hard work and volunteerism of many park and community partners, including Buffalo National River Partners and Buffalo River Historic Jail and Museum.

For more information about these and other 50th anniversary events, visit https://www.nps.gov/buff/getinvolved/50th-anniversary.htm and the park’s Facebook and Instagram social media pages. Note that events are subject to change due to COVID-related requirements or weather.