Historic Rural Arkansas Photo Documentation Workshop

Arkansas’ rural landscape is filled with historic old houses and abandoned barns that provide a visual reminder of many Arkansans’ heritage. Sure, a passer-by can take a snapshot of these structures, but a simple photo does not tell the whole story behind what were the most expensive investments farm families could make at a time when most Arkansans lived in the rural areas of the state.

In order to capture the true historical significance of these rural artifacts, one would need significant photo documentation of each house and each outbuilding, sketch maps showing the relationship of each building and space to each other, written descriptions of all of this, and GPS location so it can be pinpointed exactly.

The skills involved in constructing a true historical account of these pieces of Arkansas’ heritage can be taught through hands-on, interactive methods. This is the focus of the annual Historic Rural Arkansas Photo Documentation Workshop held at Winthrop Rockefeller Institute and along the old farm roads of Petit Jean Mountain.

The principal instructor is Leslie C. “Skip” Stewart-Abernathy, Ph.D. – WRI Station Archeologist with the Arkansas Archeological Survey – assisted by staff from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP). Dr. Stewart-Abernathy has a great deal of experience in this type of study, including a 1978 M.A. thesis documenting standing 18th and 19th century barns in Rehoboth, Mass., and 31 years of recording historic buildings as principal historical archeologist with the Arkansas Archeological Survey. He also served on the Arkansas State Review Board for National Register Nominations for nearly 25 years.

This workshop teaches:

  • The basics behind photo documentation of historic houses and outbuildings
  • How to properly complete Arkansas Historic Preservation Program inventory forms
  • Use of GPS and topographic maps to record location
  • Proper comprehensive record-keeping associated with historical sites

In addition to indoor instruction, there is approximately eight hours of practical field experience. For questions and information about this workshop, contact Dr. Stewart-Abernathy at (501) 727-6250 or send an e-mail.