MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. — Violet Hensley, the “Whittlin’ Fiddler”, will be the featured presenter at the next Baxter County Historical & Genealogical Society on Tuesday, November 26 at 6 pm in the Knox Room at Donald W Reynolds Library, 400 Library Hill, Mtn. Home.
Violet Hensley recently celebrated her 103rd birthday. She learned to fiddle in 1928 and started making fiddles in 1932 by watching her father. Since then, she has made more than 74 fiddles.
She was married to the late Adren Hensley and raised 9 children. Violet’s musical and fiddling talents caught the attention of Jimmy Driftwood and the owners of Silver Dollar City. She joined the crafter’s cast of SDC in 1967 and just finished her 52nd year with the City. Ms. Violet’s life is chronicled in her autobiography, “Whittlin and Fiddlin My Own Way.” Ms. Violet’s daughter, Wonnie Nelson, will accompany Ms. Violet. Ms. Violet currently lives in Yellville.
The Baxter County Historical Society meets the 4th Tuesday of each month at 6 pm. Most meetings are held at the Donald W. Reynolds Library. Meetings are free and open to the public.
For more information, contact the Society at 870-425-2551, or visit www.baxtercountyhistory.org.
