Rector, Arkansas

Rector's stunning new Visitor Center opened with great celebration Thursday, June 2, after months of work made possible through grants from the Arkansas Department of Rural Services and the Arkansas Department of Heritage.

The painstakingly restored 1915 building which, in the past, housed the city waterworks and jail, is a great source of pride for those involved in its renovation and will allow Rector to put its best foot forward in welcoming visitors to the area.

After a ribbon cutting in front of the building, a brief dedication ceremony was held inside. Special thanks were offered by Mayor David Freeman to Sherland and Barbara Hamilton of Rector, George and Ronti Jernigan of Lawrenceburg, Ind., Robert and Diane Jernigan of Chandler, Ariz., and the late Pauline Crockett of Rector for their donation of the building and property.

Former Mayor Ron Kemp, who launched the project about two years ago alongside Rector native and former community development director Cyndi Corkran, now of Eureka Springs, lavished praise for three local men who shared their amazing talents in bringing the facility to its current glory.

Designer Brad Holland of Rector gave countless hours in planning, directing work, choosing colors and gathering furnishings and accessories. Master woodworker Richard Caldwell of Piggott created the stunning arched windows along the front of the building, as well as a tall corner bookcase, a kiosk which holds information on Rector and area attractions and a railing beside the entryway. The extraordinary woodwork was painted with great care by Steve Spicer of Rector, assuring the historic project will look its best for years to come.

Among those attending the ceremony were: State Rep. Robert Thompson of Paragould, who offered his congratulations; Piggott Mayor Gerald Morris; Beth Wiedower, Arkansas Delta field director for the National Trust for Historic Preservations' Rural Heritage Development Initiative, and representatives of the Main Street Arkansas program.

Janet Manchester, director of Rector Downtown Central, a part of Main Street's Arkansas Downtown Network program for smaller communities, worked with Holland on the building's finishing touches, including a large number of framed historic photos of Rector, and provided a table of refreshments for the occasion.

The Visitor Center currently will be open each Friday and Saturday, staffed by local volunteers.

Hours will be expanded as more volunteers are lined up to participate. Those interested may contact Manchester at (870) 595-2300 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

This article courtesy of the Clay County Times Democrat by Nancy Kemp.