Petit Jean State Park“ A Place Like No Other”

By: Sonya Cato LIBM 6320

September 26, 2011

Petit Jean State Park, taken September 5, 2011

Mission StatementPetit Jean State Park is a natural and historical area which has been set aside by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism for protecting and preserving in its original habitat and native beauty the flora, fauna, and cultural history within its boundaries. A highly trained professional staff is dedicated to managing and preserving the many unique natural resources, historical structures, and facilities for the benefit of park visitors and future generations. Recreational activities, natural and cultural interpretations, outdoor education, and other goods and services are provided to accommodate the public’s need for leisure time and to attract leisure travel to the state. (BT Jones, personal communication, September 20, 2011)

Services ProvidedO *Hiking TrailsO *OverlooksO *Visitor’s CenterO *Gift ShopO *Fishing O *Fishing Boat rentalsO *Paddle Boats/Water BikesO *Picnic AreasO *PlaygroundO *Swimming PoolsO *Tennis CourtO *Camping AreasO *Teepee Rentals

(Jones, 2011)

Petit Jean State Park, taken September 5, 2011

Visitor’s Center

Petit Jean State Park, taken September 5, 2011 Petit Jean State Park, taken September 5, 2011

Petit Jean State Park, taken September 5, 2011

Populations Served• Petit Jean State Park serves a group of states considered to be

in a “triangle”.• Petit Jean State Park sees visitors from Arkansas, Louisiana,

and Texas.• Visitors from around the world have made a visit to the park.• A current estimate of park attendance is 500,000 visitors per

year (Jones, 2011). • Petit Jean State Park, taken September 5, 2011

Professional Training Park Interpreters require a bachelor’s

degree. The degree can be in many different specialty areas.

Park Rangers are trained in law enforcement schools. Additional training is required to deal with the issues they will be faced with in the park environment.

(Jones, 2011)

Special Services Provided*Special Programs for School Group

*Info on The Civilian Conservation Corps*Interpretive Programs for Visitors*Guided Group Tours*Provides Brochures * Touch and Feel Table*Website

Petit Jean State Park, taken September 5, 2011

(Petit Jean State Park, 2011). 

Civilian Conservation Corps

Petit Jean State Park, taken September 5, 2011 Petit Jean State Park, taken September 5, 2011

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

• Overseen by Parks and Tourism.

• Director of Arkansas State Parks.

• Regional Supervisor over 5 parks.

• Superintendent oversees everyone in the park.

• Park Interpreters give information to visitors.

(Jones, 2011)

Diversity

• Petit Jean State Park tries to attract people with a diverse background.

• Camping areas are made handicap accessible.

• The visitor’s center is wheelchair accessible.

• Park Interpreters are trained to reach people of varied cultures while giving a park presentation.

(Jones, 2011)

Surprises Petit Jean State Park was Arkansas’s First

State Park. The Civilian Conservation Corps work is still

standing and being used today. All of the services provided for the public to

enjoy. The beautiful scenery of the mountain.

Petit Jean State Park, taken September 5, 2011

FAULKNER COUNTY MUSEUM“A SECRET HIDDEN AWAY”

• By: Sonya CatoLIBM 6320

September 26, 2011

Faulkner County Museum, taken September 19, 2011

Mission StatementThe Mission of the Faulkner County Museum is to educate the public regarding our county’s history. We serve a multicultural community and provide a forum for the cultural expression of our past through the acts of preservation and reconstruction of social memory. We act as a repository for artifacts and documents as well as interpret the natural and cultural prehistoryand history of the geographic region which today is known as Faulkner County.(Faulkner County, 2007)

ServicesO *guided group toursO *Out Reach ProgramsO Enrichment for PreschoolsO Speakers for Civic GroupsO In-service for TeachersO Internship Program through ucaO Programs for Elderly (Lynita Langley-Ware, personal communication, September 17, 2011)

Faulkner County Museum, taken September 19, 2011

Special Services On-site research for local family history On-site research for local history Sam Fausett Studio Photograph

Collection McNutt Funeral Home records Faulkner County Census of Cemeteries Loan boxes of Arkansas history with

lesson plans for educators. (Ware, 2011)

Faulkner County Museum, taken September 19, 2011

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING DIVERSITY

• The director of the museum is required to have a Master’s degree.

• The area of training can be varied.

• Volunteers are given information on the areas they are involved in.

(Ware, 2011)

• The museum deals with the multicultural population of Faulkner County.

• The Faulkner County Museum is handicap accessible for the patrons that visit.

(Ware, 2011)

Exhibits• General Store• Native American Artifacts• Faulkner County Art • Doctor’s Office• Victorian Bedroom• Cotton Culture• Cadron History• Dogtrot Cabin• Tools• Sports Memorabilia• Scale Model Railroad of Faulkner County(Faulkner County, 2007)

Faulkner County Museum, taken September 19, 2011

Populations Served

The Faulkner County Museum serves the residents of Faulkner County.

The museum targets school age children.

The Faulkner County Museum serves an estimated 1,500 people per year.

(Ware, 2011)

OrganizationalStructure• The Faulkner County

Museum is a part of the County’s government.

• A board of directors, appointed by county judge, oversees the director.

• The director is selected by the museum board.

• There is only one director.

• The rest of the staff is made up of volunteers.

(Ware, 2011)

Preserving Faulkner County HistoryFaulkner County Museum, taken September 19, 2011

SURPRISES

• The Faulkner County Museum is located in the old historic Faulkner county jail.

• Faulkner County Museum offers a loan box of Arkansas History for local educators.

• The many artifacts that have been preserved.

Faulkner County Museum, taken September 19, 2011

Faulkner County Museum, taken September 19, 2011

ReferencesCato, S. “September 19, 2011”. [Personal Photos of Faulkner County Museum]. Conway, ArkansasCato, S. “September 5, 2011”. [Personal Photos of Petit Jean State Park]. Morrilton, ArkansasFaulkner County. (2007). Retrieved from http://faulknercounty.org/index.php?option =com_content&view=article&id=21ItemPetit Jean State Park. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.petitjeanstatepark.com/thingsto_do