Texarkana, Texas – The Texarkana Museums System’s Historic Book Club gathered at The Stained Page coffee shop in downtown Texarkana on Tuesday to celebrate the debut of Cord Swell, a poetry collection by native author Brittny Ray Crowell. The event brought together readers, community leaders, and museum staff for a conversation that underscored the importance of local voices and family heritage.
“Bringing this book back home feels like bringing a baby home for the first time to the family,” Crowell told the audience. “The book will be a year old in six days, so it feels like I finally get to welcome it to the people that it was written about and for.” Crowell explained that Cord Swell honors three generations of Black women in her family from the Ark‑La‑Tex region, describing the work as a love letter to her ancestors and to the city she calls home.
Poetry that Connects Generations
During the discussion, Crowell read several poems, including the evocative piece “Donna’s House on Waterman: Texarkana, TX.” She emphasized her hope that young readers will see themselves reflected in literature: “I want the next little kid to be like, ‘I can write a book about my folks and not feel like they have to be whoever people think that people write poetry about.’ I want Texarkana to know that they are loved.”
Museum Leadership Highlights Community Impact
Ana Willis, executive director of the Texarkana Museums System, praised the book’s contribution to regional history. “I believe history belongs to everyone,” Willis said. “Cord Swell gives voice to the experiences of Black women whose stories are an essential part of the Ark‑La‑Tex’s history.” She noted that the Historic Book Club was created to draw people into the museum through familiar experiences such as a good book and thoughtful conversation.
Willis added that the program has evolved into a platform for “shining a light on the people” who document regional history. “The biggest impact has been seeing Texarkana support its own,” she said. “It is a wonderful way to help promote authors who are telling Texarkana’s story.”
Local Business and Cultural Partnership
The Stained Page coffee shop, a popular downtown gathering spot, provided a welcoming setting for the event. Its central location made it easy for residents to attend, reinforcing the museum’s goal of fostering community connections through literature.
Attendees left the discussion with a deeper appreciation for the power of poetry to preserve family legacies and to celebrate the cultural fabric of Texarkana. The Historic Book Club plans to continue hosting similar events, inviting more local authors to share their work and encouraging residents to engage with the city’s rich history.
For those interested in future book‑club meetings or in supporting local writers, the Texarkana Museums System encourages volunteers and donors to get involved. “Our mission is to make history accessible and alive for every Texarkana resident,” Willis concluded.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
