Jacksonville Historical Museum Reopening in March Features Kris Allen, Heather Baker Exhibits and More

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The Jacksonville Historical Museum is set to reopen in March.

Local volunteers led by Lida Feller have been working to reopen the museum, which will be located in the Chopsticks International Events Center at 201 W. Main St.

“As a child, I was never interested in history,” Feller said. “It wasn’t until I was in my 40s, when I started researching my own family history, that everything changed. That experience showed me where I fit into a much bigger story, and my interest in history began to grow. From there, I started learning more about the history of Jacksonville — the town my father chose to retire in after serving in the Air Force and where he decided to raise his family. Everyone has a story about how they ended up in Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Historical Museum can help people discover those stories and connect their family history to the history of our community.”

The museum will replace the closed Jacksonville Historical Center on South First Street. The opening will feature a wide variety of exhibits and displays including a temporary model train layout winding through detailed scenery. A custom-designed layout inspired by the city of Jacksonville as it looked in the 1950s will be unveiled in the near future, Feller said.

Kris Allen.

Also showcased will be items connected to prominent Jacksonville natives including 2019 American Idol winner Kris Allen and AY Media Group president and publisher Heather Baker, who assisted in the reorganization of the museum. Also included will be artwork from Marcus Lindsey, a retired Jacksonville High School art teacher and well-known Arkansas artist.

AY Media Group president and publisher Heather Baker stands in front of the new exhibit.

Feller said her vision is to preserve any and all historical items related to Jacksonville and to help create a historical district in the city, which would run from Mulberry Street to South First and from First to Second streets. She said this area was the original downtown. Feller also wants to create a replica of the city’s old train depot, where people “can sit and enjoy beverages and watch trains go by.” Inside the depot would be a visitor’s center.

Feller said this reopening is “just the beginning” for the museum. She credited Baker, Jerry Sanders and Barbara Mashburn for their help in bringing the museum back to life.

“With teamwork and guidance, we were able to get everything legally transitioned for a new beginning for the Jacksonville Historical Museum,” she said. “I have been sharing ideas, asking for help and talking about events our town has never done before. One of my biggest goals is to help teach kids about their history in a way that truly connects with them. This effort has become deeply important to us, and we are dedicated to restoring the museum as a place our community can once again enjoy and be proud of,” she said. “Like everything worthwhile, we continue to grow, improve, and make changes along the way.”