2007 is a big year for Hot Springs National Park.

It’s the 175th anniversary of the creation of the park’s forerunner, Hot Springs Reservation, on April 20, 1832.

April 20, 2007, the park will host activities beginning at 9:30 a.m. and continuing into the evening, at locations throughout the Bathhouse Row National Historic Landmark District of the park. Most bathhouse lobbies will be open for viewing with special history exhibits in the Ozark Bathhouse. A ceremony with remarks by dignitaries including National Park Service Director Mary Bomar will begin at 3 p.m. On April 21, the park will host concerts on the Arlington Lawn throughout the day beginning at noon. The park is issuing a commemorative stamp cachet also.

Click here for a detailed schedule.

Voices from the Past: A Walk through History is an event that will be held April 27, 2007. It will provide a glimpse into some of the significant stories that make up the history of this, the oldest protected area of the National Park System. There will be stations with living history interpreters, and visitors will walk from one to the other to hear what each has to say. We are developing lesson plans for teachers to use with this event. An American Sign Language Interpreter will also be on hand. Here is more information.

Walk through History is supported in part by a grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities with donations from the Friends of the Fordyce and Hot Springs National Park, Inc., Eastern National and WalMart. The park gratefully acknowledges their contributions.

Throughout the year, community groups will help us celebrate the anniversary, too, like the Hot Springs Music Festival, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, Garvan Woodland Gardens and more. The park thanks everyone who worked to make this celebration an event to remember, especially the Friends of the Fordyce and Hot Springs National Park.

For more information call the park at 501-620-6701 or e-mail us.