Annual Report
May 2011 - May 2012 John Drennen, ca. 1837
The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith
acquired the Drennen-Scott home and historic site in 2005 and completed its restoration in 2010. From 1836 to 2005, the home was the continuously occupied
residence of the descendent family of John Drennen, the founder of Van Buren. The University uses the site as a hands-on museum and learning laboratory for students in a variety of disciplines.
Annual Report May 2011 - May 2012
Special Projects In 2010, UAFS graphic design students submitted designs for the official logo of the Drennen Scott Historic Site. The official logo was created by: Sam Broom, Daniel Wiggins, Randi Spears, Stanley Soultaire, Levi McCartney Sam, Daniel, and Levi will graduate in May 2013 with BS degrees. Randi and Stanley received their AAS in 2012.
Portrait conservancy Portrait Conservancy When University of Arkansas - Fort Smith acquired the Drennen Scott Historic Site, the house contained fifteen original portraits dating from 1840 to 1926. In order to preserve these portraits, they were returned to the Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock. The fifteen portraits were reproduced from digital photography taken by Dr. Henry Rinne, dean of the UAFS College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The portraits have been placed in antique frames provided by the Art of Framing in Van Buren, AR. John Drennen, ca. 1850
Community In the 2011-2012 academic year, the Drennen Scott Historic Site provided meeting space for more than twenty university and community groups, including Arvest Bank, Frontier Researchers, AR Archeological Society, Rotary, South Sebastian County Historical Society, PEO, Kiwanis, Van Buren Old Town Merchants Association, Crawford County Genealogy Society, Fort Smith Historical Society, Sons of Confederate Veterans, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
In 1942, Caroline Mary Scott sold an original portrait of Albert Pike that was part of the Drennen Scott Historic Site portrait collection. Early in 2012, the university added a reproduction of the portrait after locating the original in Billings, Montana.
Albert Pike ca. 1877
Annual Report May 2011 - May 2012
Promotional Video During spring of 2012, UAFS Historical Interpretation students, in conjunction with Williams/Crawford Advertising created a video for the Van Buren Advertising and Promotion Commission outlining the historical significance of the Drennen Scott Historic Site. The video is available at the house and online at: www.vanburen.org/drennen_scott.php
Misc. Statistics Volunteer Hours worked: 1027 Student Intern Hours worked: 848 School Group Visits: 16 Schools Represented: Muldrow Middle School, First Lutheran, Believers Homeschool Association, Cedarville Elementary, Van Buren: Izard, Tate, Parkview, City Heights, and Northridge Middle School.
Monthly Visitor Statistics 2011
Visitors
2012
Visitors
May
729
January
Closed
June
524
February
Closed
July
534
March
104
August
512
April
329
September
433
May
479
October
1056
TOTAL
4895
November
195
December
Closed
Area Home School Group
Muldrow Schools
This year, ten school groups visited the site as part of their Arkansas History studies. UAFS students and volunteers gave tours of the house and the grounds.
UAFS Chancellor and First Lady Beran explore the home’s historical furnishings.
Chancellor Paul B. Beran addressing the Arkansas River Flotilla at Drennen-Scott. The October 26, 2011 event celebrated the 40th anniversary of the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System.
Annual Report May 2011 - May 2012
Special Events • Dedication Ribbon Cutting - May 10, 2011 • Van Buren Civil War Weekend – October 2011 • Arkansas River Flotilla (Chancellor’s Reception) • Leadership Crawford County • Leadership Fort Smith • Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas Annual Meeting - May 2012
Awards • The Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas awarded the DSHS for Excellence in Historical Restoration. • Director Tom Wing had previously been recognized for Outstanding Service in Preservation Eduction. • John Mott, principal architect of the project, nominated the project for the award. • Dean Henry Rinne and representatives from Crawford Construction were also in attendance. John Mott, principal architect of the DSHS project, and Tom Wing, Director of the Drennen-Scott Historic Site, at the award presentation dinner which was held in the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion, January 2012.
UAFS students and volunteers demonstrated Civil War artillery for the Van Buren Civil War tour.
Support We couldn’t do what we do without the help of our advisors, supporters, and countless volunteers. We are pleased to recognize the following for their support of our mission. Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Altman Marlyn Bearden Mr. and Mrs. Kerry Bercher Mr. & Mrs. Drennen Bulloch Scott Bulloch Gary Crawford Cathy Gifford Dr. Joan Harper Dr. and Mrs. Layton Jackson
Walton Maurras Mr. and Mrs. Rusty Myers Dr. and Mrs. Douglas Nancarrow Peggy Weidman Fred Williams Community Volunteers Garden Gate Club The Master Gardeners Williams Crawford Advertising
If you would like to support the DSHS you may contact Lynn.Nancarrow@uafs.edu/788-7031 www.uafortsmithfoundation.org
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 479 Fort Smith, Ark.
5210 Grand Avenue P.O. Box 3649 Fort Smith, AR 72913-3649
Open March - November:
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Thursday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Van Buren Arkansas, circa 1888. The map shows the extent of John Drennen’s 1836 land purchase that became Van Buren. The Drennen Scott House is located at bottom left, above the railroad bridge.