The Ozarks Heritage Research Center (OHRC) at Missouri State University-West Plains will host a special historical presentation titled “Slavery in Northern Arkansas: A Forgotten History” on Tuesday, June 10, at 6 p.m. at the Garnett Library, 304 W. Trish Knight St.
The free event will feature historian and researcher Vincent S. Anderson of Mountain Home, Arkansas. Anderson has dedicated years to studying the largely overlooked history of slavery in Northern Arkansas, combing through homesteads, cemeteries, and archival materials to piece together the stories of enslaved individuals, escapees, and free Black communities.
The presentation will explore the parallels between slavery in Northern Arkansas and neighboring Southern Missouri, using census data and historical documents to illuminate the lives of children in bondage and their paths after emancipation. It will also highlight the migration of freedmen seeking new beginnings in regional cities and the enduring legacy of slavery on the Ozarks.
The event is free and open to the public, with light refreshments provided. For more information, contact Rebekah McKinney at 417-255-7949 or RebekahMcKinney@MissouriState.edu.
