Arkansas encompasses a diverse multicultural heritage, with each community having its own unique history and cultural background. This online exhibit is intended to highlight this variety.
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Emil and Elizabeth Wehrfritz Postcard, May 20th, 1900
This item is a postcard from Emil Cornelius Wehrfritz and his wife Elizabeth Wehrfritz during their tour of Europe in 1900, to their children in Little Rock, Arkansas. They sent the card from Hamburg, Germany.
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Invitation to Helena Young Ladies German Club
On December 25, 1895, the Young Ladies German Club held a ball at the Lotus Club in Helena, Arkansas, featuring the popular dance, "The German." This dance had its beginnings in the ballrooms of New York in 1844. Originally named the "German Cotillion," the name was soon shortened to "The German." According to the Helena Weekly World, the event hosted over 80 people and lasted from nine p.m. until just before sunrise. This was a great event for a town with a population of 3,652 (as of the 1880 census).
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Works Progress Administration Information on the Mounds at Toltec
These pages are extracts from the twelfth annual report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1890-1891. This brief extract describes the mounds and surrounding area in great detail and gives archaeological information about the artifacts in and around the mounds.
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E.C. Wehrifritz Machinery Supply Company between Markham and 2nd Streets
This is a image of Emil Wehrfritz's work shop, Union Machine Works, and his employees. This business was located between Markham and Second Streets in Little Rock, Arkansas.
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Ole Christopher Olsen Naturalization
This is Ole Christoffer Olsen's declaration of intent to become a U.S. citizen, renouncing his allegiance to the King of Denmark.
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Emma Reichardt Autograph book
This item is an autograph book from Emma Reichardt. This book holds poems, personal messages, and signatures from her friends, family, classmates, and teachers.
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Herman Arndt Naturalization
This is Herman Arndt's declaration to become a U.S. citizen, renouncing his allegiance to the Empire of Germany.
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Reverend Andrew J. Hunter
This is a photograph of the Reverend Andrew J. Hunter. In this sepia-tone image Hunter is looking straight toward the camera.
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Arkansas River Valley Immigration Co. Labor Contract
A labor contract between the Arkansas River Valley Immigration Company and a Chinese immigrant named Map Sam in 1870. Map Sam agrees to work on Arkansas plantations for a term of three years in exchange for food, board, and salary.
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Drawing, Fort Smith, Indian Territory, Arkansas
This is a drawing from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper depicting Fort Smith at the time of the great Indian council in 1865.