Lake Village – The Lakeport Plantation Museum (LPM), an Arkansas State University Heritage Site, is inviting the public to its first ever symposium, “The Mississippi in American Memory,” on Friday, October 9. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is free, though registration is encouraged to secure a seat.
Why the symposium matters
According to site director Ruth O’Loughlin, the symposium will explore the Mississippi River’s role in shaping America’s past and present. Topics will range from the experiences of Indigenous peoples along the river to the development of plantation agriculture, archival research methods, and regional folklore, all in recognition of the America 250 celebration.
Schedule and speakers
Attendees can hear a series of presentations from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by a lunch break featuring a local food truck, River Bend BBQ, Seafood and Steaks, which will serve a limited menu from noon to 1:30 p.m. The afternoon session resumes at 1:30 p.m. and continues until 5:30 p.m.
Closing the day, retired Mississippi River boat captain and author Lee Hendrix will share stories from his decades on the water. Hendrix began working on the mighty Mississippi in 1972, earned his first license in 1975, and served on towboats, casino boats, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before retiring as a captain in 2018. His 2024 book, Peep Light: Stories of a Mississippi River Boat Captain, will be available for purchase at the museum.
How to attend
While admission is free, interested participants should register online at the provided link (bit.ly/MSRiverSym) to reserve a seat. For additional details, readers may email Ruth O’Loughlin at [email protected] or call 870‑265‑6031.
About Lakeport Plantation Museum
Constructed in 1859, Lakeport Plantation is one of Arkansas’s premier historic structures, retaining many original finishes and architectural details. Open to the public since 2007, the museum researches and interprets the people and cultures that shaped plantation life in the Mississippi River Delta, focusing on the Antebellum, Civil War and Reconstruction periods. The museum is located at 601 Highway 142 in Lake Village.
Visitors to the symposium can expect a day of educational talks, local cuisine, and a deeper appreciation for the river that has long defined the region’s heritage.
Original reporting: NEA Report (Jonesboro) — read the source article.
