Historians, genealogists, museum professionals, and community stakeholders from across Northeast Arkansas will gather on Friday, May 1 to address growing concerns about recent staffing changes at the Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives (NEARA), located at Powhatan Historic State Park.
The meeting will take place at 2:00 p.m. at the Powhatan Community Center, 225 AR-117 Spur, Powhatan, Arkansas, and is open to the public.
The gathering follows the State of Arkansas’s decision not to replace NEARA’s full-time archival assistant position, which has been vacant since January. The state has instead indicated plans to hire a part-time or half-time employee without benefits. As of late April, the position has not yet been advertised.
NEARA currently operates with a single full-time staff member.
NEARA’s mission is to collect, preserve, and provide access to primary and secondary source materials related to the history and culture of Northeast Arkansas. The archive serves a 16-county region and supports a wide network of researchers, educators, museums, historical societies, and genealogical organizations.
Organizers of the May 1 meeting say the reduction in staffing raises serious concerns about the archive’s ability to carry out its mission.
“This is not about visitor numbers or politics—this is about whether the State of Arkansas is going to meet its responsibility to preserve our shared history,” said Rodney Harris, local historian and preservationist “The work of an archive does not stop when visitors are few. Collections must be processed, preserved, and made accessible. That requires trained professionals.”
In addition to the afternoon meeting, Arkansas State Archives Director David Ware will be available from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on May 1 at the NEARA office.
Organizers emphasize that the issue is nonpartisan and reflects broader concerns about the future of historical preservation in Arkansas. NEARA holds records in trust for the public, and supporters argue that adequate staffing is essential to maintaining access and ensuring long-term preservation.
The May 1 meeting will focus on:
- Assessing the current situation at NEARA
- Discussing the impact of reduced staffing
- Exploring coordinated responses, including outreach to state officials
- Organizing stakeholders interested in supporting the archive
- The possibility of forming a Friends of the Northeast Regional Archive group to assist with the facilities work.
More than 20 museums, along with numerous historical and genealogical organizations across Northeast Arkansas, rely on NEARA’s collections and services.
“This archive serves an entire region,” Harris said. “What happens here affects not just Powhatan, but communities across 16 counties. We believe it is important for stakeholders to come together, share concerns, and determine a path forward.”
Members of the public, researchers, and anyone interested in the preservation of Arkansas history are encouraged to attend.
About NEARA
The Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives (NEARA), located at Powhatan Historic State Park, is a branch of the Arkansas State Archives. Established to provide regional access to historical records, NEARA collects, preserves, and provides access to materials documenting the history and culture of Northeast Arkansas.