Elvis returns to Fort Chaffee

When Elvis Presley was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1958, three female fans sent a letter to President Dwight Eisenhower asking him to not cut the young rocker’s hair.

Whether the President received the letter is unknown, but the future King of Rock-n-Roll did have his locks cut at Fort Chaffee on March 25, 1958.

The letters and other National Archives materials related to Elvis’ Army years will be presented to the Chaffee Barbershop Museum at Chaffee Crossing on Thursday, and the 53rd anniversary of the haircut heard ‘round the world will be held Friday at the museum.

During a presentation held at 3 p.m. Thursday (Mar. 24), Bryan McGraw from the National Archives’ St. Louis Records Center and U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Rogers, will transfer the letter from the female fans and will transfer the care of digital copies of Presley’s army records, over 100 pages total, for eventual display at the Chaffee Barbershop Museum.

“These gifts from the National Archive represent the depth of national affection  for Elvis Presley and emphasize the important role of the Chaffee Barbershop Museum in preserving that history. We are very proud to receive these records as a testament
to our mission to keep this history alive for future generations,” Chaffee Crossing Executive Director Ivy Owen said in a statement.

The museum will transform the next day into an event free and open to the public that celebrates the Elvis haircut. The list of events include:
• Elvis karaoke;
• An Elvis “Look-Alike” contest and a poodle skirt contest;
• Members of the Fort Smith Antique Automobile Club will have a dozen or more of their cars on display;
• The first 100 visitors to sign up for the museum‟s email list will receive a special Elvis prize;
• Jimmy Don Peterson, son of the barber who cut Elvis‟ long locks, will be present to give free, first come, first served G.I. buzz cuts. The “enlistees” will form a line Army-style while waiting for their 1950‟s military haircut. After their haircuts, the “customers” will receive a special postcard and have their photo taken with Peterson to commemorate the event; and,
• Elvis tribute artist Jerry Page will be in character as Elvis on March 25, 1958. A stage will be set up on the lawn of the museum to welcome visitors who want to dance.

The Chaffee Barbershop Museum is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.