The seniors from First Baptist Church (SAMs) recently visited the Jerome-Rohwer Interpretive Museum and Visitor Center-WWII Japanese American Internment Museum in McGehee.
The museum opened in 2013 with special guests from all over the United States, including George Takei of Star Trek. Takei was 5 years old when his family was evacuated to Rohwer.
At the Visitor Center, an interpretive exhibit explores the 1940s history of nearby Rohwer and Jerome, two Delta towns where the U.S. government housed more than 17,000 Japanese Americans. The museum depicts the history of these two American camps.
The museum also includes two computer desks kiosks, a library, memorabilia from the camps, a store and a traditional Japanese garden. There is also a media room that plays a documentary, “A Time of Fear”.
The seniors also stopped by Hoots, a barbecue restaurant in McGehee. Hoots advertises itself as a barbecue restaurant, although the menu includes selections other than barbecue.
Those making the trip included Roger Minyard, the driver, Jeanette McGrew, trip organizer, Rosemary Baird, Betty Craig, DeDe Foster, Ann Holt, JoAnn Kelly, Catherine Long, Linda Minyard, Jimmie Lee Nichols, Wanda Scruggs, Sue Smith and Ann Thompson.