2026 Meeting Schedule
Fort Smith Historical Society meetings will begin at 6:00 P.M. Members and guests will be treated to light refreshments from 5:30 – 6:00 P.M. Please note that in the event a speaker becomes unavailable, the Fort Smith Historical Society will make every effort to secure a replacement speaker or program for the meeting.
January 20
Business Meeting
Fort Smith Public Library, Main Branch
Community Meeting Room
February 17
Guest Speaker: Dorothy Dodson Marcy
The Fort Smith Historical Society’s will celebrate Black History Month at its February meeting. The program will feature speaker and author Dorothy Dodson Marcy who will share about growing up in Fort Smith and tell about her book, I Dare You.
Fort Smith Public Library, Main Branch
Community Meeting Room
March 17
Guest Speaker: Ben Boulden
Historian, author, and well-known journalist Ben Boulden will discuss the Texas Road Gang and the murder of Wiley Jackson.
Fort Smith Public Library, Main Branch
Community Meeting Room
April 21
Business Meeting
Meeting will include the election and installation of officers.
Fort Smith Public Library, Main Branch
Community Meeting Room
May 19
Guest Speaker: Rev. Bobbie Woodward-Andrews
Rev. Bobbie Woodward-Andrews will share about her journey to become a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.
Fort Smith Public Library, Main Branch
Community Meeting Room
June 16
Guest Speaker: Wendell Sampson
Wendell Sampson will share about his longtime career as a law enforcement officer with the Fort Smith Police Department. He retired as a Captain in early 2025.
Fort Smith Public Library, Main Branch
Community Meeting Room
July 21
Business Meeting
Fort Smith Public Library, Main Branch
Community Meeting Room
August 18
Guest Speaker: Justin Minor
Cultural Anthropologist Jusin Minor will give a unique presentation on “Ozark Folk Magic.”
Fort Smith Public Library, Main Branch
Community Meeting Room
September 15
Guest Speaker: Bill Word
A familiar face to the Fort Smith Historical Society, President Bill Word will give a special presentation entitled, “The Depression, Grandma, Me, Hazel and Martin.”
Fort Smith Public Library, Main Branch
Community Meeting Room
October 20
Business Meeting
Clayton House, Fort Smith
November 17
Guest Speaker: Thomas Jacques
The final FSHS meeting of the year will feature the host of King Biscuit Time (KBT), Thomas Jacques. The broadcast is the longest continuous-running blues radio show in the country. In addition to serving as DJ for KBT, Jacques is also the Interim Director for the Delta Cultural Center. Guests will be treated to several blues recordings, while also learning about the history of the radio show and records.
Fort Smith Public Library, Main Branch
Community Meeting Room
December
NO MEETING
Merry Christmas! See everyone in 2027!