Legacy Week Events
Davidsonville Historic State Park invites you to join us for any and all of the upcoming Legacy Week Park Events. All programs are free but advanced registration for these events is required. Please call, email, or visit the park to sign up.
Ongoing Events
Memories and Stories Wanted!
Davidsonville is celebrating 60 years of being your state park, and we want your stories. If you have memories of the park, a great story of something that happened here, or a tale from before the park existed, the staff would love to hear it. During the month of August, until Labor Day, a memory book will be available in the visitor center so stories can be recorded. Can’t make it to the park? You can email stories to davidsonville@arkansas.gov or write a letter and mail it to 8047 Hwy 166 S, Pocahontas AR 72455. We look forward to seeing the stories you have to share!
Legacy Scavenger Hunt
Go back in time with this scavenger hunt, and find pieces of park history you may not know existed. Begin your adventure with park staff at the visitor center and come ready for a challenge. This timed activity will run throughout the last week of August into September, and is a great way to challenge your mind and explore one of your Arkansas State Parks.
August 31st, 2017 – 2:00p.m-4:00p.m.
Folk Music and Fellowship
Music is a common tie that binds us all together. Join park staff and local residents for an afternoon of music at Davidsonville. The event will start with a short musical program by park staff, and then open to any who want to share music from their lives and memories. Bring your voices, a willingness to participate, and any instruments and music you’d like!
Cost: Free
Meeting Location: Visitor Center Porch
Rain Site: Visitor Center
September 1st, 2017 – 1:00-4:00p.m.
Hands on History: The Postal Problem
If a letter leaves St. Louis on Sept 1st at 1pm, when does it reach Davidsonville? Does it make it at all? And how did they make that cool wax seal? To learn the answers to these questions, and many more, join Park Interpreter Geoffrey at any time between 1pm and 4pm to put quill to paper and gain a deeper appreciation of the many modern marvels we have today, and how Arkansas residents communicated without them in the past.
Cost: Free
Meeting Location: Visitor Center Porch
September 1st, 2017 – 7:00-9:00p.m.
Davidsonville after Dark: Tales from the Graveyard
Half the park is after dark. Join Park Interpreter Geoffrey at the historic town site for a sunset stroll to a cemetery over 200 years old. Learn what happened when death’s shadow came to call at Davidsonville, and why you should never cut down a cedar tree. This walk will leave promptly at 7:00pm and participants should come prepared for an evening hike in the woods.
Cost: Free
Meeting Location: Historic Town Site
September 2nd, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Cast Iron Cookin’ Demonstration
Bring your appetite and come help cook up something tasty at Davidsonville. Get hands on with Dutch Ovens, cast iron skillets, and an old fashion griddle as we sample our way through brunch (breakfast for lunch). Learn how to prep, use, and clean-up each of these pieces of cookware and enjoy some tasty treats as well. Participants will go home with a recipe cheat sheet and cast iron hints page. This program is limited to the first 20 participants, so sign up today.
Cost: $5 per person.
Meeting Location: Visitor Center Porch
September 2nd , 2017 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Davidsonville after Dark: Stories of the Past
Half the park is after dark. You are invited to join Park Interpreter Geoffrey at the campground fire ring for an evening of storytelling and shared memories. Davidsonville has been inhabited in one way or another for hundreds of years, and that time brings a wealth of stories. Bring your favorite memory of the park and meet others who treasure this place.
Cost: Free
Meeting Location: Campground Fire Ring
September 3rd, 2017 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Native Tools and Weapons
Ever thrown a tomahawk? Shot a bow? And where did that meat on the dinner table come from? Roll up your sleeves and stop by Davidsonville to practice your historic skill set and learn how the residents of town and those who lived in the area before Davidsonville hunted for the food. Participants will toss tomahawks, throw spears, and learn how to use an Atlatl.
Cost: Free
Meeting Location: Visitor Center Porch
Davidsonville Legacy Week
The town site of Davidsonville has been preserved as a state park since 1957 when land was generously donated to the state by the Davis family. As part of the Arkansas State Parks system, Davidsonville is protected for future generations to visit and enjoy. Activities and talks will be held throughout the week and weekend to celebrate the history of the park and the people who have contributed to its creation and preservation.
To learn more about these and other upcoming events call the park at 870-892-4708. Davidsonville Historic State Park is located fifteen minutes south of Pocahontas on Highway 166 South.