Civil War Heritage Tour to Helena is March 29; A-State Students Eligible for Expense-paid Experience
JONESBORO -- With the sesquicentennial observance of the Civil War underway, the division of Continuing Education and Community Outreach (CECO) at Arkansas State University has organized a tour of significant sites at historic Helena in eastern Arkansas, Friday March 29.
“With special funding support from the Arkansas Humanities Council, we have organized an educational opportunity that should be very appealing both to students and area residents who want to know more about the Civil War and Arkansas’s involvement,” stated Dr. Beverly Boals Gilbert, dean of Continuing Education and Community Outreach.
According to Dr. Lillie Fears, professor of journalism at Arkansas State and tour director, participants will visit the site of the Battle of Helena, which occurred July 4, 1863. The battle is interpreted with historical markers throughout the city.
Up to 25 all-expense-paid slots are reserved for A-State students, regardless of academic major, on a first-come, first-served basis due to the support provided by an Arkansas Humanities Council grant.
Mark Christ, a member of the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, and Cathy Cunningham, director of community outreach for Southern Bancorp, are scheduled to address the tour group.
Stops during the tour will include the Moore-Hornor House, Estevan Hall, Pillow-Thompson House, constructed Freedom Park, Union battery sites, Confederate Cemetery, and the Delta Cultural Center Museum.
Interested individuals should contact Continuing Education and Community Outreach, (870) 972-3052 or ceco@astate.edu, or Dr. Fears at lfears@astate.edu, for details about the schedule, accommodations and the application process.
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