Helena, a town on the banks of the mississippi, has hosted this festival since 1986. Their names very rarely in mentioned history books, and their graves are almost never marked. The municipality traces its historical roots to the founding of the port town of helena on the. Whayne is chair of the history department, university of arkansas. Once again, the state of arkansas has adopted an arkansas history for young people as an official textbook for juniorhighschool arkansas history classes. This arkansas state page of our website provides direct links to major databases and historical titles and information found on arkansas genealogy and history, whether they exist on our site.
The history of arkansas began millennia ago when humans first crossed into north america. Census slave schedules for arkansas county, arkansas nara microfilm series m653, roll 53 reportedly includes a total of 4,921 slaves. Sonny boy williamson ii and other musicians played live on kffa every weekday, pausing for king biscuit flour commercials and announcements of their next night time performances. This site seeks to look for the lost landscape, the lost people both white and black, and the lost stories that built the northwest arkansas we see today. The black oak arkansas story dates back to 1965, when james mangrum and rickie lee reynolds met while attending the same junior high. After her husbands death, she continued his business operations while also providing leadership in the helena school. In this extraordinary musical and social history, robert palmer traces the odyssey of the blues from its rural beginnings, to the steamy bars of chicagos south side, to. Both the wild west frontier and thick roots of deep south america are woven into arkansas history. It was a natural location for indian tribes to choose for their homes. This fall festival held is annually in the cool month of october on downtown helenas historic grounds. It was founded in 1833 by nicholas rightor and is named after the daughter of sylvanus phillips, an early settler of phillips county and the namesake of phillips county. The city now known as helena west helena, arkansas, is situated in phillips county, with the protecting hills of crowley ridge to the west and the sometimes friendly, sometimes menacing mississippi river on the east.
He is the author of the acclaimed books outcats and history of the blues and a biography of john coltrane knopf. A landscape of change book helena, 1990 history, cotton, blues. Tens of thousands of blues enthusiasts converge on historic downtown helena, arkansas to hear stirring and uplifting performances of a uniquely american art form on the banks of the mississippi river. Many tribes used arkansas as their hunting lands but the main tribe was the quapaw, who settled in the arkansas delta upon moving south from illinois. Arkansas, crittenden, cross, lee, monroe, phillip, prairie, and st. A 41yearold woman was shot and killed standing outside a neighbors home thursday morning in helena west helena. History as the ninth state to join the confederate states of america, arkansas men enlisted in the confederate and union army in 1861 civil war helena. Discover the most important events in arkansas history, and its culture and the communities throughout time. Robert palmers 1981 book deep blues helped raise scholarly. Arkansas blues history ozark blues society of northwest. Fred mcdowell, and robert pete williams would be mere footnotes in history books. Land, labor and federal favor in twentieth century arkansas 1996, university press of virginia, and arkansas biography, with nancy a. American history preserved in wood, stone and sound. Oct 17, 2009 richard johnston helena, arkansas blues festival.
But the undisputed blues capital at the time was helena, arkansas, located along the mississippi river about 80 miles southwest of memphis. Part 2 of the arkansas blues series with recordings from 1976, compiled by jim oneal and louis guida. To truly explore the mississippi blues trails delta region, clarksdale makes a good base, with nightly live blues and vibrant events, including aprils juke joint festival and augusts sunflower river blues and gospel festival. In this extraordinary musical and social history, robert palmer traces the odyssey of the blues from its rural beginnings, to the steamy bars of chicagos south side, to international popularity, recognition, and imitation. Dont forget that arkansas has its own delta region and the famous king biscuit time radio show originated in helena, arkansas. Arkansas teachers speak out on proposed zinn book ban zinn. The blues history of arkansas roots of the blues in arkansas the fertile soil of the mississippi river delta has long produced strong yields of cotton, rice, soybeans and other crops.
Helena is the eastern portion of helenawest helena, arkansas, a city in phillips county, arkansas. Held over four days in october, this arkansas blues festival draws more than 100,000 attendees from around the world. The music called the blues that emerged from mississippi has shaped the development of popular music in this country and around the world. At the delta cultural center in helena, arkansas, music lovers can discover how blues and gospel music grew along the arkansas delta. Great place, good atmosphere, nice people and very good music.
Founded in 1820, helena has an impressive number of civil war sites and historic homes that have been preserved over the years that provide a wonderful glimpse into the life of the old south. Browse the most recent helena, arkansas obituaries and condolences. In the 1940s and 1950s, the city grew into a vibrant blues community. Helenawest helena is the county seat of and the largest city within phillips county, arkansas. The delta cultural center in downtown helena west helena, ar history the citys roots trace back to the founding of the city of helena in 1833, along a port on the mississippi river. There are a number of american cities with lesserknown, but thriving, music scenes. More recognizable blues geography includes memphis, chicago, the mississippi delta region and texas. County history and genealogy books hearthstone legacy. Helena is the birthplace of arkansas former senior united states senator blanche lincoln and actordirectorfilmmaker chuck williams. Spam or selfpromotional the list is spam or selfpromotional. Helena is home to the longest running daily radio program in the u. History on the southwest trail by mary medearis, a country year. King biscuit blues festival 2017 lineup oct 4 7, 2017. Historically, west helena and its sister city helena, located on the mississippi river, have been two of the focal points in the history of the development of the blues.
The encyclopedia of arkansas history and culture electronic edition, continuously updated multimedia at the encylopedia of arkansas history and culture, by butler center for arkansas studies illustrated html at. Our lobby is the perfect spot to relax after a long day of work and travel. Featuring blues legends and upandcoming acts, this iconic festival, held the weekend before columbus day each october, continues to preserve and promote the music of the delta. County history and genealogy books the books in this section are all printed books most are hardbound, and are not cds or dvds. A large collection of free online genealogy resources for research of arkansas genealogy. Includes history back to the first inhabitants, the mississippi river, towns of the delta, wartime, immigrants, cotton farming, separate worlds of africanamericans and whites, and music, including blues, country and rockabilly, radio kffa. Here at the delta cultural center, the rich history of the arkansas delta is brought to life through engaging exhibits, historic properties, and educational programs. Eliza ann ross miller was an africanamerican businesswoman and educator, as well as the first woman to build and operate a movie theater in arkansas. Celebrate and remember the lives we have lost in helena, arkansas. Genuine souvenirs for true blues fans king biscuit time is the longest running daily radio show in history, and continues to be broadcast daily on delta broadcastings kffa 60 am in helena, arkansas. The festival was temporarily renamed arkansas blues and heritage festival from 2005 to 2010 due to problems arising out of rights of the name.
In addition, helena has played a rich role in blues and music heritage over the years. This third edition incorporates the fruits of new research and of extensive consultations with teachers, curriculum supervisors, and students. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. A musical and cultural history of the mississippi delta. Located just a few miles away from the legendary crossroads of americas famous blues highway hwy 61 stretching from memphis to new orleans, travelers from all over the united states and europe make it a point to stay at the edwardian inn when exploring the music rich history of. The 5 best things to do in helena 2020 with photos.
A year later in 1862 the union army general entered arkansas territory taking over homes, crops, land, and goods in order to make a place for their soldiers to stay. The books in this section are all printed books most are hardbound, and are not cds or dvds. Francis davis is a contributing editor of the atlantic monthly and writes regularly for the new york times and the new yorker. Helenas history, their stories, buildings, and cultural landscapes have been left behind in all of the citys. Arkansas river blues society is a community and resource for blues music, musicians, and fans in central. By the 1920s and 30s, highly popular blues musicians such as robert johnson and peetie wheatstraw were selling recordings of their woeful tales of loves lost and hard times endured. Whatever your desire, our front desk staff will help guide you throughout west helena. The rich musical history in the arkansas delta arkansas state parks.
Skim through our festival calendar, follow interesting festivals, claim perks and enjoy arkansas fest life. Local history books on arkansas arcadia publishing. Arkansas teachers speak out on proposed zinn book ban. The first is devoted to the history of the counties, while the second section contains biographical sketches of some 1,250 individuals and genealogical data of some 4,750 other familiesindividuals for the following counties. West helena, arkansas, united states best western inn.
When he was a child, his brother, stanley, taught him how to play blues guitar. A diorama of the battle of helena, thomas hindmans desk, patrick cleburnes prayer book and more bring helenas history vividly to life. Helena was the county seat of phillips county until january 1, 2006, when it merged its government and city limits with neighboring west helena. Full of crooked cops that are racially profiling and trying to blatantly shoot citizens. Max and rex haymes on the railroadin some book signing tour see details here. These are books that were published by a wide variety of publishers between the 1880s and recent years and are.
Payne still broadcasts monday through friday from 12. Premiere october 1990, delta cultural center, helena arkansas. Mississippi to helena helena played a vital role in blues history for artists from both sides of the mississippi river. Incorrect book the list contains an incorrect book please specify the title of the book. Arkansas county arkansas 1860 slaveholders and 1870. Helenawest helena is the county seat of and the largest city within phillips county, arkansas, united states. Blues is the cornerstone of american popular music, the bedrock of rock and roll. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new. Helena is the birthplace of arkansas former senior united states senator blanche lincoln. King biscuit blues festival attracts hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world to the banks of the mississippi river in helena, arkansas. Come stay at the best western inn featuring an outdoor swimming pool. Home to some of the mostloved music festivals in a locale unlike any other. From the grassy slopes of our mississippi river levee amphitheater, you can see the mighty mississippi river to one side and the magnificent historic downtown storefronts of helena on the other.
Mangrum was born in the small town of black oak, arkansas the population was less than 300 people, while reynolds came from the larger nearby community of monette. Crowleys ridge provided elevation and some protection against flooding, a rare feature along the rightwest bank of the lower mississippi. Richard johnston helena, arkansas blues festival youtube. She was the wife of prosperous helena phillips county businessman, state legislator, and church leader abraham hugo miller. List of books and articles about arkansas history online. A history of arkansas ozarkers and their image and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Mississippi to helena, helena, arkansas mississippi blues. The city traces its historical roots back to the founding of the port town of helena in 1833.
Just north of clarksdale and across the mississippi river bridge on one of the major blues highways, u. Here are comments from arkansas teachers about why they requested a copy of a book by howard zinn after a state legislator submitted a bill to have any books by or concerned about zinn banned from the public school curriculum. Arkansas doesnt immediately pop into mind when one thinks of the blues. Growing and changing from a sweeping, and mostly deserted wilderness landscape into a flourishing american state, the history of arkansas spans less than six hundred years, only a drop in the immense pool of world history. History king biscuit blues festival helena, arkansas. Swing over to the delta cultural center in helena, and enjoy great exhibits on blues superstars, and dont forget to be on the longest running. One of americas premier showcases for top shelf and emerging blues music, held in helena, arkansas every october. It was renamed as the arkansas blues and heritage festival in 2005, and is one of the. Blues music is front and center at the king biscuit blues festival in helenawest helena, arkansas. In his book life on the mississippi, mark twain described helena as occupying. Phillips county history is told through exhibits using the museums impressive collections. In 2003, he was inducted into the arkansas tourism hall of fame and was named volunteer of the year by the department of arkansas heritage. A music festival in helena, arkansas not king biscuit blues festival. The current city was consolidated, effective january 1, 2006, from the two arkansas cities of helena and west helena.
The infamous blues highway 49 crosses the mississippi river, and winds up in the historic blues city of helena, arkansas home to king biscuit floor power blues kffa radio, and the king biscuit blues festival. Sonny first broadcast the show in july 1942 before entering military service in december. A native of helena, arkansas, payne has been honored from coast to coast for his love of blues and commitment to blues artists. The town was wide open for alcohol, gambling, prostitution, music and, of. During the 1930s, the blues could be found in juke joints in many small towns along the mississippi river. Sonny payne, kffa, helena, ar no one has devoted more to keeping the blues alive than sonny payne, the legendary host of kffas king biscuit time, the longest running blues radio show in history. Clarksdales storied musical history is alive and well in the sites, trails and other landmarks the city has proudly preserved. It is sponsored by the sonny boy blues society, a legal 501. Held for three days annually in october, tens of thousands of blues enthusiasts converge on historic downtown helena, arkansas to hear stirring and uplifting performances of an american art form on the banks of the mississippi river. The 148 page hardbound 12 by 12 book includes over 120 photographs. With a mother from tupelo, mississippi, and a father from middle tennessee, jack pearson grew up in a musical family. First and only collective history of monette high school with 198 photographs including old.
The story of the recent explosion of the brewing industry in arkansas, as well as the stories of a few preprohibition breweries that gave it a go decades ago, are all told in a new book titled arkansas beer. Arkansas blues festival arkansas blues and heritage. King biscuit blues festival 2020 in helenawest helena, ar. I recognize the first one as a variant on the great old son house preachin blues, but i am unsure about the second. Discover librarianselected research resources on arkansas history from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals, magazines, newspapers and more. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our favorite reads in more. Books written by authors from or living in arkansas score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.
A public forum for the citizens of helena west helena to exchange issues and concerns for their community. The name of the festival comes from king biscuit time, which was the longest running radio show. This transcription includes 25 slaveholders who held 50 or more slaves in arkansas county, accounting for 2,542 slaves, or 51% of the county total. In 2011 the pryor center began conducting video interviews with former and current residents of helena. Inappropriate the list including its title or description facilitates illegal activity, or contains hate speech or ad hominem attacks on a fellow goodreads member or author.
For example, even though nashville is famous for live music, the nearby city of bristol is known as the birthplace of country music. Helena has played a vital role in blues history for artists from both sides of the mississippi river. The king biscuit blues festival is an annual, multiday blues festival, held in helena, arkansas, united states. The king biscuit blues festival, founded in 1986, is one of the nations foremost showcases of blues music. Greenwood, helena arkansas, rolling fork, jackson, memphis, natchez. You might pick up some rock with some tough guitar riffs or some rap. Located in historic downtown helena, arkansas the museum is a must see for all. Blues symposium king biscuit blues festival helena, arkansas. The location in the 1100 block of cherry street is. The books listed here are books that were not published by hearthstone legacy publications. The mississippi river is the state line between arkansas and mississippi.
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