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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
February 26, 2007 U.S. Marshals Service, Office of Public Affairs
(202) 307-9065
 
USMS Director Clark Surveys Museum Sites:
Travels to Arkansas to Discuss Marshals Service Museum Project
 
Marshals Service Director John F. Clark met with city and state officials, citizens and law enforcement personnel on his first visit to Fort Smith, Arkansas, the host city of the future U.S. Marshals Museum. The appearance comes on the heels of the announcement in early January that Fort Smith is the new home of the museum. The visit followed a two-year study and recommendation to Director Clark by the U.S. Marshals Museum Committee.

Director Clark said, "I know the museum here is going to be a great success because it's not just the city leaders who are behind it, it's the whole community, and that's one of the great impressions I'm leaving with is that this is truly a community-wide project."

While in Fort Smith, Director Clark attended an evening reception with Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe and discussed the new project. This was Director Clark's first visit to the Natural State, and was designated with a title of "Arkansas Traveler." Governor Beebe knew the scope and reach of the future museum, as he stated that the project was "not just for Fort Smith, it's not just for Sebastian County, it's not just for Arkansas. This is the Marshals (Service) Museum in the entire United States of America."

Director Clark also viewed two potential sites for the museum and a "Welcome Home" luncheon, featuring 800 attendees, including descendants and representatives of Native American nations. In addition, he had breakfast with officials from the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith to discuss educational ties to the project. A tour included several more historic sites in Fort Smith, including the former U.S. District Jail and Court.

In the near future, the local steering committee members will develop into a more permanent board. Formal contracts and policies are being developed for artifact loans and storage facilities. Throughout, the process includes the continued involvement of Director Clark and the U.S. Marshal Museum Committee.

The decision for Fort Smith, Arkansas to house the USMS Museum proves a historic choice. It once served as the home base for all deputies in both the Western District of Arkansas and the Indian Territory that now comprises the State of Oklahoma. The legendary courtroom of U.S. District Court Judge Isaac C. Parker, known as the "Hanging Judge," is administered by the National Park Service and sits astride the Arkansas River. Both famous deputies and infamous outlaws once walked in its streets: Bass Reeves, who arrested more than 3,000 men during a 35-year career as a deputy and soon to be honored with an equestrian statue; George Maledon, the deputy who served as the famous hangman of the court; and Belle Starr, the famous "Queen of the Bandits." A short drive east is Little Rock, where the first confrontations of the Civil Rights period began.

For more information on the United States Marshals Service, visit www.usmarshals.gov.
 
Director Clark Examines Site Plans with Steering Committee Member Bennie Westphal Director Clark Discusses the Future of the Museum with U.S. Marshal Dick O’Connell (L), and Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe
Director Clark Examines Site Plans with Steering Committee Member Bennie Westphal. Both sites are owned by Westphal, a direct descendant of Deputy U.S. Marshal W.O. Pitcock. At Reception, Director Clark Discusses the Future of the Museum with U.S. Marshal Dick O’Connell (L), and Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe (R).

See prior news release: U.S. Marshals Select Fort Smith, AR as Site for New Museum