Secretary Daniels Presents State Capitol Exhibit on National Parks

LITTLE ROCK, AR – September 17, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Secretary of State Charlie Daniels today announced the opening of the autumn State Capitol exhibit, which salutes the National Park Service and its six Arkansas properties.

The exhibit, prepared in collaboration with National Park Service sites within Arkansas and the Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN), features photographs and artifacts which evoke the different themes of the parks. Distinctive items include a paper collapsible drinking cup advertising Hot Springs’s Buckstaff Baths, a flattened musket ball and a broken bayonet from Pea Ridge National Battlefield and an assortment of archaeological finds from Fort Smith National Historic Site, including regimental buttons and a tiny lead dog figurine.

On September 27, the Public Broadcasting System and its Arkansas affiliate AETN will premiere National Parks: America’s Best Idea, a six-episode documentary tracing the history of America’s preservation of its most beautiful and hallowed places. Directed by Ken Burns, the documentary details the growth of America’s long-standing love of the parks and the actions of individuals and groups, as well as local and state governments, to set aside areas dedicated to “the benefit and the enjoyment of the people.” To compliment the series, AETN has developed its Parks Initiative, a program encouraging Arkansans to “get outside” and explore not just our national parks, but also the wide range of Arkansas State Parks and other recreation areas.

Capitol visitors may pick up an AETN “Parks Passport” at the Information Desk; collecting stamps from all six national parks and selected state parks qualify the bearer for prizes. Over the next several months, AETN will sponsor a photography competition to collect Arkansans’ best images of the state’s parks.

Natural, National: The National Parks and Arkansas may be viewed in the State Capitol’s first-floor galleries through November 19. The Capitol is open to the public from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

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Contact: Natasha Naragon
Phone: (501) 683-1441
Email: natasha.naragon (at) sos.arkansas (dot) gov

Arkansas Secretary of State Charlie Daniels
256 State Capitol Building
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Phone: (501) 682-1010
Website: www.sos.ar.gov
Email: arsos (at) sos.ar (dot) gov