Dumas Library Branch Manager Hunter Bennett announced that the library will be collaborating with Acclaim Press, a history publishing house based in Sikeston, Missouri, to publish a new book documenting the history of Desha County and its citizens. Acclaim Press has published hard-cover, collector-quality books for counties all across the mid-west and the state of Arkansas and is regarded as the leader in this field of history.
Library staff and community members will be serving on the editorial book committee as the project is being compiled. Book committee members are Hunter Bennett, Chairman, Lura Cooper, Jada Kirtley, Mary Jo Tucker, and Debbie Riley.
The project will document many diverse elements of Desha County life, life including the history of the county founding to the present, the history of the county’s cities, towns, churches, businesses, clubs and organizations, and especially its families. The project was initiated by McGehee businessman Gibbs Ferguson and the Desha County Historical Society, who saw this as a much needed and desired history project. The Dumas Library shares this vision and will be working on this project in anticipation of its release by December 2023.
A brochure detailing how individuals may submit their family histories to be included in the book is going to be mailed to every house in the county within the next two weeks. For anyone with questions about the project, please contact Branch Manager Hunter Bennett at the Dumas Library at 870-382-5763 during business hours.
More information about the project will be shared across county newspapers and the Dumas Library’s website and social media platforms. You can currently follow the Dumas Library on Facebook and Instagram. Facebook.com/dumaslibrary Instagram: @dumaslibrary71639
