News
Driving Tour of Old Bella Vista
The Bella Vista Historical Society is pleased to announce the resumption of our driving tours of Old Bella Vista. The tour is done in car caravan style and will begin at 8:45 AM on Saturday, March 28th, at the Bella Vista Historical Museum. There is some limited walking involved.
The tour will last about 5 hours and will visit several sites connected to the early history of Bella Vista. The cost of the tour is $20 for individuals or $30 for a couple. All funds generated by the tour will be dedicated to the Museum's expansion fund.
Reservations are required. To make your reservation please call the Bella Vista Historical Museum at 479-855-2335. For further information please contact Dale Phillips at the Museum.
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Want to know more about "old" Bella Vista? Or just want to be prepared for the Driving Tour in March?
The pictorial history book of Bella Vista in the Museum's gift shop covers local history from the late 1880's through 2020. All royalties and profits are being donated to the museum by the authors, Xyta Lucas and Dale Phillips.
This is a great gift for friends and family and a great way to help educate your visitors from out of town. Plus, if you have an Air B&B or vacation rental, great book for your visitors.
Bella Vista Historical Society Annual Meeting
The public is invited to the annual meeting of the Bella Vista Historical Society at the Bella Vista museum on Saturday March 21 at 2:00 p.m. Admission is free. The speaker will be Jeremy Amick, Missouri high school educator and author of numerous regional history works, including Camp Crowder, Moments on the Moreau, and Beyond the Moreau. He will explore the dramatic rise of Camp Crowder, the World War II military installation near Neosho, Missouri, named for Maj. Gen. Enoch H. Crowder. Amick will share how the post became a major Signal Corps training center, housed thousands of soldiers, and even held German prisoners of war—transforming southwest Missouri into a vital wartime community almost overnight. Through photographs, personal accounts and newly uncovered research, the presentation brings to life the people who trained, worked and lived at Camp Crowder during one of the most pivotal periods in American history.
On-Line Membership (and Renewal) Now Available!
We are excited to provide you with the option to become a Bella Vista Historical Society member, or renew your existing membership, on-line! Once payment is processed, a confirmation letter will be sent to your e-mail address. Thank you for being (or becoming) a member!
Bella Vista Historical Museum Proposed Addition
Planning and fundraising for the proposed museum addition are underway! This rendering shows the proposed expansion going north from the present building, and enclosing the Settlers Cabin.
The objectives of the expansion project are:
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To provide additional exhibit space to display more of the collection
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To provide long-term protection to the Settlers Cabin and to the artifacts contained within
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To provide additional climate controlled archival space for the Museum's large amount of paper records
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To provide a space for functions that will allow the Museum to continue to function when the time arrives to replace the 1980's modular section of the Museum
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The museum is currently looking for volunteers to work a once-a-month shift as docents (staff members). You can learn more about being a docent here.