This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/VV.2ADE/466 Message Board Post: For many years, the oldest of the old Arkansas and Missouri records were housed safely and securely in the Powhatten Museum in Lawrence County. These records include documents that Lewis and Clark have signed. Now the State has come in and wants to stick them in an old church or other areas. They want to do this on the advisement of an out of state consultant firm. We urge all interested parties, to get involved and express their protest on this matter. We just received this word on another list: I have the latest update on the Powhatan heartache. Talked to Tom Moore (he and his wife have been former Presidents of the Lawrence County Historical Society and are Evelyn Flippo's daughter and son-in-law.) He told us to first go to the Walnut Ridge Times Dispatch website for information from Mr. Lloyd Clark, current President of the Lawrence County Historical Society with directions as to how to help. His email is lwclark@cswnet.com. There is going to be a public support meeting on Thursday evening. They are hoping to receive letters of support for the historical information to be put back at Powhatan Museum. All of the historical papers, etc. are at Arkansas State University in the proper environment that is needed to keep them in good shape. (thank goodness) This is a real mess. There are several proposals from the state as to the future of those genealogy records. Some were worried about Evelyn Flippo who has dedicated alot of her life to preserving those records at Powhatan. They tell me she is well and able to be involved with this problem. Let's get busy and get letters out. I think they will take emails. Carolyn Boone PLEASE, we need everyone's help on this matter. Please email and let your feelings be known about this matter. The records HAD been housed in the secure and safe environment until they remodeled the Museum. Locals THOUGHT that the records would be moved back. Now the State Parks and Rec. Dept. wants to stick them in an old church. We need your support NOW. This is my letter... feel free to use whatever you need if it helps you to voice your protest: Many of us genealogists and family historians are outraged at the possibility that the records will no longer be preserved at the Powhatan Museum. What has been accomplished by Evelyn Flippo and the county should not be taken lightly. To even think that they will not be kept where they are most appreciated, will not only be a step back in the preservation, but will be a travesty at what has already been accomplished. Evelyn Flippo has given alot of her life preserving those records at Powhatan and to think that the state will now come in and stick them in an old church or any other place other than the Powhatan Museum where they will NOT be as protected and appreciated and as easily assessable is just unacceptable. To spend the taxpayers' money to turn another building into a place to house these records when you already have one available and known Nationwide by genealogists as being one of the best county museums in the nation, is a total disregard to the taxpayers money and previous expert local efforts!! It is simply OUTRAGEOUS!!! Please know that many of us who travel many many miles, come to the county for the sole purpose of visiting the Powhaten museum with the valuable records. It is known nationally as being one of the best county museums to house some of the oldest records available to the public in the county setting. We spend tourist and research dollars in Lawrence County. We come with the knowledge that the records are being safely secured and preserved at the Powhatan Museum and leave with the secure knowledge that they will be safe and taken care of properly.... we know that we can come again and not have to wonder about their condition when we return. We come again because of the care and condition remains good. Anytime a governmental department comes in with an out of state consultant firm and tries to tell the locals how they should do something only accomplishes one thing.. it makes the situation WORSE! We URGE those making the decisions to keep these records in the Powhatan Museum, their rightful place! To do otherwise is a slap in the face of those experts who were taking care of these records LONG before any state department got involved! Sincerely, Lanita Sconce Smith Missouri Lanita Sconce Smith