Arvest donated $100,000 to U.S. Marshals Museum

Arvest Bank announced Tuesday (Nov. 5) that it is donating $100,000 as a founding donor gift to the U.S. Marshals Museum.

In January 2007, the U.S. Marshals Service selected Fort Smith as the site for the national museum. The cost to build the museum — including exhibit work — is estimated at around $53 million. Although the announcement was made in 2007, formal fundraising activities did not begin until the latter part of 2009.

The gift supports the museum’s financial goals and represents Arvest’s commitment to the ongoing capital campaign, according to the Arvest statement.

Museum officials have said they hope to break ground on Sept. 24, 2014, the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Marshals founding by President George Washington.
Jim Dunn, president and CEO of the U.S. Marshals Museum, said in mid-August that the museum effort needs between $10 million and $15 million more to reach the “threshold” of between $30 million and $35 million needed to break ground and begin construction. Dunn is confident they will meet the September 2014 date.

“Having the U.S. Marshals Museum in the state of Arkansas is very important to Arvest,” Craig Rivaldo, president and CEO of the Arvest Fort Smith/River Valley Region, said in the statement. “All the Arvest Bank branches in Arkansas are very excited to be a part of this endeavor. The museum will be another exceptional historical attraction in Fort Smith and all of Arkansas. It will complete the triads of great nationally recognized museums and complement the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. With the addition of the U.S Marshals Museum in the Fort Smith community, visitors from all over the country will come to the ‘Gateway to the West.’ Arvest wanted to be a part of this community and national endeavor of preserving an important part of our history.”

On Nov. 9, 2014, the U.S. Marshals Museum will honor the heroes of yesterday and today and will dedicate the cornerstone of the Hall of Honor. Arvest Bank is the title sponsor for this dedication event.

“Arvest Bank is well-known for investing in communities across the state,” said Jim Dunn, president & CEO of the U.S. Marshals Museum. “It is a testament of its commitment to Fort Smith that they are now a founding donor of the U.S. Marshals Museum. We are grateful for their support.”