Holidays and celebrations

The Arkansas State Archives holds many items that highlight holidays and celebrations. This online exhibit is intended to offer insight into some of these festive activities.

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Switch View to Grid View Slideshow

Boys and man with pumpkins in truck

Picture of two boys in the back of a truck with three large pumpkins. Older man stands beside the truck.
Bride and Groom kissing in back of car

Bride and groom kiss in the back of a car after ceremony.
Children in Halloween costumes

Picture of four children dressed in Halloween costumes and holding containers for treats.
Graduation card from the Hammocks

Graduation card, with Egyptian theme, from the Hammocks congratulating graduate.
Graduation card from the Rundells

Graduation card from the Rundells congratulating graduate with a poem about "readin', 'ritin, 'rithmetic."
Halloween invitation to Senior Epworth League Costume Party, Asbury Church, October 28

Invitation to Senior Epworth League Costume party at Asbury Church with black cat on front.
Hubbard-Jones wedding, bride bouquet throw

Bride throwing bouquet to four waiting women at the Hubbard and Jones Wedding.
Lillian Oldham dressed in a devil costume, not smiling

Photo of Lillian Oldham dressed in a devil costume, not smiling.
Lillian Oldham dressed in a devil costume, smiling

Photo of Lillian Oldham dressed in a devil costume, smiling.
Pfeifer's Christmas party

Group of women sitting around table with Christmas gifts opened on table at Pfeifer's Christmas party.
Russian valentine, Vincent to Ruth

Valentine card to Ruth from Vincent with Russian soldier.
Telegram with Easter greetings from Greater Majestic Theatre

Western Union telegram to Ruth Beal Utley from Greater Majestic Theatre wishing Easter Greetings to the class of 1929 and one free admission.
Telegram with Easter greetings from Marx Ladies Ready to Wear

Western Union telegram to Ruth Beal Utley from Marx Ladies Ready to Wear wishing Easter Greetings and an invitation to visit store.
Library interior, Mena, decorated with streamers with hearts as if for Valentine's Day

Photo of Mena Library's interior, showing tables with books on top, chairs, and bookshelves. A lady in a dark dress stands against a bookshelf. The room is decorated with streamers with heart shapes as if for Valentine's day.
"Our wedding song" poem by Joseph Boone Hunter

"Our wedding song," poem by Joseph Boone Hunter. Includes notes that "music for this poem has been written by Marjorie S. Matsumoto" and handwritten "E L [Elizabeth Lucille; Betty Lu] Hunter High Plains Bapt. Hosp., Amarillo, Texas."
Programme for St. Valentine's Ball at Concordia Hall, 1899 February 14

Programme, featuring an illustration of woman in a dress climbing a ladder to be near a man on a balcony, for St. Valentine's Ball at Concordia Hall, in Little Rock. Includes lists of dances and committees members.
The Country Club announces five big parties for the season

Parties include Thanksgiving party on Saturday November 28th, Christmas Tree on Thursday December 31st, Mardi Gras Party on Tuesday February 23rd, and Spring Carnival on Saturday April 17th. Announcement also notes "The Board has entrusted these special entertainments to a committee of ladies, of which Mrs. T. H. Bunch is Chairman. This Committee will doubtless advise members more definitely of its plans before each event. These dates are additional to the usual dinners, dances, etc., given by the regular committee.
The meaning of Easter, sermon by Joseph Boone Hunter

Typed sermon entitled "The Meaning of Easter" by Joseph Boone Hunter, pastor of Pulaski Heights Christian Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. Includes handwritten notes in margins. Lists Mrs. Janice Moore as pastor's assistant.
Unidentified boy beside chair with a birthday cake

Photo of a boy and his cake. The cake has two candles and "2 Years" written on it. The back of photo includes handwritten note "He looks kind of mad, he wanted to put his finger on the cake."
Valentine, Lewis Webb to Elizabeth Ann Hollis

Valentine, from Lewis Webb to Elizabeth Ann Hollis with poem.
Wedding Ceremony by Joseph Boone Hunter

Typed wedding ceremony template by Joseph Boone Hunter. Includes blanks for bride and grooms names and reminds not to ask "useless questions" with examples such as: 'If anyone knows any reason why these young people should not' [marry]..."
Wesley family Thanksgiving dinner, 1980

Photo of a family hovered around a table with the Thanksgiving meal.
Airmen Robert Vencion and Michael Cavanaugh, members of the Blytheville AFB Fire Department dress up base fire trucks with stars and stripes as part of a base wide effort to commemorate the 200th birthday of America.

Photo of two airmen decorating a U.S. Air Force base fire truck.
Blytheville Bicentennial activities posted on the bulletin board at Headquarters

Photo of bulletin board includes description of base wide decoration activities and photographs.
Young African American men sit in the back of a truck leading a "[Happy] Birthday America" parade float

Photo of young African American men sitting in the back of a truck leading a "[Happy] Birthday America" parade float as part of the Arkansas American Revolution Bicentennial flag presentation at Dermott, Arkansas. One young man wears a Dermott letterman jacket.