Tag Archives: Bill Worthen

Bill Worthen marks 40 years at helm of HAM

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Worthen performing at 2nd Friday Art Night at HAM in July 2011

Earlier this week, Little Rock’s newest museum director was announced.  So it is fitting to end the week with a party to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Little Rock’s longest-serving museum director.

As HAM put it, in 1972:

Nixon had just defeated McGovern.

Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes

The Godfather was the Best Picture.

All in the Family was the #1 tv show.

Pong was the most wanted Christmas gift.

And…

at the tender age of 25

Bill Worthen donned top hat and danced his first jig.

To celebrate Bill Worthen’s 40th Anniversary as Director of Historic Arkansas Museum, the museum is hosting a reception on Friday, November 30 from noon until 1pm.  There wil be light refreshments (cake and punch), light remarks, and lights aplenty from the camera flashes.

Sculpture Vulture – Worthen Obelisk

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Today is the annual Mt. Holly Cemetery RIP (Rest in Perpetuity) picnic.  Today’s Sculpture Vulture feature is an obelisk in Mt. Holly which serves as a grave marker for Arkansas banker and author W. B. Worthen.

William Booker Worthen was born in Little Rock in 1852.  In 1874, he entered the banking business which in 1888 became known as W. B. Worthen and Company. Later known as Worthen Bank, it survived through recessions, world wars and the Great Depression.  Mr. Worthen also served as publisher of the Arkansas Gazette and wrote a history of the Arkansas banking industry.  He died in 1911.

The obelisk is the tallest structure in Mt. Holly Cemetery and is likely the tallest monument in Little Rock. Though it is still a very impressive structure, the trees which have grown up along side of it now obscure the obelisk from view outside of the cemetery.

The obelisk is four-sided with largely smooth faces until the pointed top.  At the base, in addition to Mr. Worthen’s name, there is some ornamentation for a couple of feet.  But by early 20th century standards the ornamentation is simple.

Other members of the Worthen family are buried in the plot marked by the obelisk, as well as throughout the cemetery.  Mr. Worthen’s granddaughter-in-law, Mary F. Worthen has been a member of the Cemetery Association since the 1950s.  One great-grandson, George, continues in the banking business while another, Bill, is director of Historic Arkansas Museum.

iPhotos 2011: The Good

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Like many people, the Little Rock Culture Vulture has an iPhone and takes many iPhotos. Today’s entry, and the next two, will highlight some of his favorite personal iPhotos taken in Little Rock during 2011. The are divided into the Good, the Odd and the Arty.

Today focuses on The Good. These 11 from ’11 are presented chronologically.

Allsopp Park snow - February 2011

 

A sidewalk near MacArthur Park at night - March 2011

Kids playing by Dickinson Fountain at Arkansas Arts Center - April 2011

 

Jordan Johnson in a rare moment of sitting still on grounds of Clinton Library - May 2011

 

Ducks crossing street in downtown Little Rock - May 2011

 

Little Rock Sky - June 2011

 

After at party in black box at Arkansas Repertory Theatre - June 2011

 

Setting sun reflected on Arkansas River - June 2011

 

Downtown reflection - June 2011

Bill Worthen joining with a band at 2nd Friday Art Night at Historic Arkansas Museum - July 2011

 

Snow along Kavanaugh - December 2011

 

Arts & Humanities Month: Historic Arkansas Museum

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Arkansas’ frontier history is on display at Historic Arkansas Museum in downtown Little Rock.  A museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, Historic Arkansas Museum (or HAM as it affectionately known) works as both a history and a historic site musem to preserve and interpret the early history of Arkansas.  Bill Worthen, whose roots in Arkansas go back to the 18th century, serves as Executive Director of HAM.

A centerpiece for HAM is the tours of four restored early 19th century structures.  Guided tours are offered daily on the hour, except noon.  The structures are the Hinderliter Grog Shop, the Brownlee House, the Woodruff Print Shop and the McVicar House.  Across the street from the original block, there are also the Plum Bayou Farm House and the 1850s Farmstead.  The newest structure is the Blacksmith Forge.

While perhaps best known for its historic houses, HAM is home to a variety of galleries with exhibits. Among its galleries are exhibits of Arkansas Art (in the Trinity Gallery for Arkansas Artists), the Sturgis Children’s Gallery, the Knife Gallery and the Horace C. Cabe Gallery.  Currently the Cabe Gallery is host to Reel to Real: Gone with the Wind & The Civil War in Arkansas which examines not only artifacts from the Academy Award winning film, but juxtaposes them with artifacts from Arkansas life during the Civil War.  The exhibit We Walk in Two Worlds tells the story of the first Native Arkansans, the Caddo, Osage and Quapaw Indian tribes from early times to today.

On Saturdays in October, HAM is playing host to “Step Back Saturdays: At the Forge.” The Step Back Saturdays program takes place each Saturday from March through October.  This month’s theme is “At the Forge.”  Programs are at 10:45, 11:45, 1:45, 2:45 and 3:45.

On Sunday, October 23, HAM will offer its members a Pie Party from 2pm to 3:30pm.  For more information on becoming a member and supporting all of HAM’s endeavors, call 501-324-9351.

Historic Arkansas Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm.  There is no cost to tour the galleries, but tours of the historic structures range from $1 to $2.50.