The Jefferson County Historical Society met Dec. 10 at the First Presbyterian Church Chapel where updates were given, including a report on historical markers.
President Lela R. Murray reported that the Historical Society, as a project, had been placing historical markers around Pine Bluff for the past few years, and the society is responsible for their upkeep.
She noted that David Trulock and Ken Gray have been in charge of the markers and that they had recently had the marker on Barraque Street refurbished. They are planning a new marker to be placed in the city of Sherrill and are working on the wording to be engraved on the marker, which has to be historically accurate and approved by the Arkansas Historical Marker Program, a division of Arkansas Heritage, according to a news release.
The society has also supported the Pine Bluff Grider Field Aviation Museum. Grider Field was used to train pilots in World War II.
Sharon Wyatt, a new board member, was introduced. She will serve in the position left vacant after the death of John Mitchell.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Murray reported that the society will begin a newsletter to be sent by email before each meeting. Wyatt was appointed to be chairman of the newsletter.
In honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Dec. 7, Harvey McCone, historian, displayed his collection of World War II memorabilia, with a focus on the 1941 attack.
Murray introduced the speaker, Phillip H. McMath, a well-known author and playwright. He is retired from the McMath Woods Law Firm in Little Rock.
The topic of his program was the Battle of Bauxite. He explained how the bauxite mined in Bauxite, Ark., was used to make aluminum for the manufacture of planes used in the war, according to the presentation.
McMath, a Vietnam War veteran, was presented a pin and certificate for his service to the country by the local Pine Bluff-John McAlmont Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution as part of their project to honor war veterans. The presentation was made by Regent Julia Anne Beckham.
Members of the DAR, including Wyatt and Murray, also attended. McMath served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1969-70 as a second lieutenant and company commander of the 1st and 5th Tank battalions.
Also during the meeting, Murray asked Secretary Sue Trulock to read the minutes of the last meeting. There were no corrections and the minutes were approved. Murray also announced that Kenneth Theis, the Historical Society treasurer for the past 10 years, had retired and that Sue Merritt was elected to the post at the last board meeting. Merritt was asked to give the treasurer’s report.
The next meeting will be in July 2024.