Trump budget could cut funding for Fort Smith National Historic Site

Fort Smith Mayor George McGill is one of those in the region concerned about the future of the Fort Smith National Historic Site. Trump administration budget cuts would leave the site without funding, or push funding and management to the state.

The proposed federal budget seeks to cut $900 million from operations of the National Park Service.

“The National Park Service (NPS) responsibilities include a large number of sites that are not ‘National Parks,’ in the traditionally understood sense, many of which receive small numbers of mostly local visitors, and are better categorized and managed as State-level parks,” noted language in the proposed federal budget summary. “The Budget would continue supporting many national treasures, but there is an urgent need to streamline staffing and transfer certain properties to State-level management to ensure the long-term health and sustainment of the National Park system.”

While it’s uncertain how the cuts would roll through the park system, it is believed that the 68 large parks like Yosemite and Yellowstone would be funded, but around 370 smaller parks and sites like the one in Fort Smith would either close or be transferred to the park systems in their respective states.

“The Trump administration’s 2026 budget plan, released May 2, would gut the National Park Service, jeopardizing the protection, maintenance and operation of the country’s more than 430 national parks,” noted this report from the National Parks Conservation Foundation. “The administration’s budget calls for cutting more than $1 billion from the National Park Service — if enacted, it would be the largest cut in the agency’s 109-year history.

Other National Park Service sites in Arkansas that may face a loss of funding include Arkansas Post, the Buffalo National River, Little Rock Central High School, Pea Ridge, the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home, and Trail of Tears sites. The Hot Springs National Park may be one of the 68 sites to survive the budget cuts, according to sources who spoke to Talk Business & Politics.

The Fort Smith site, designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1961, tells the story of the founding of Fort Smith, the Trail of Tears, the iconic Federal Judge Isaac Parker, the role of the U.S. Marshals on the western frontier, and other key historic events and people in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma.

According to the National Park Service, the Fort Smith site had 135,000 visitors in 2023 –- the most recent data available –- with tourists visiting the site spending $9.1 million in what is called the “gateway region” for the Fort Smith site. The spending supported $11.9 million in total economic impact, and supported 132 jobs.

135,000 park visitors spent an estimated $9.1 million in local gateway regions while visiting Fort Smith National Historic Site. These expenditures supported a total of 132 jobs, $3.6 million in labor income, $6.2 million in value added, and $11.9 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Fort Smith National Historic Site.

Mayor McGill sent a letter to U.S. Sens. John Boozman, R-Ark., and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and U.S. Reps. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, and Steve Womack, R-Rogers, asking them to not only preserve the funding, but to push for more financial support.

“In the strongest possible terms, I ask that you oppose any reductions and instead champion increased and sustained investment in our parks so they can continue to safeguard our nation’s heritage, honor, our shared history with the Tribal nations, strengthen our local economies, and inspire all who visit, especially here in Fort Smith,” McGill noted in part of the letter.

McGill said he is “confident” that members of Arkansas’ Congressional delegation “will do all they can to make sure those (National Park Service sites in Arkansas) are funded.”

Boozman said the budget process is not complete and he will work to “preserve” the region’s history.

“The Fort Smith National Historic Site is an asset that helps tell the story of the city and region as well as our country’s frontier history,” Boozman noted in a statement. “The president’s budget request is only a proposal, and Congress is in the very early stages of the 2026 fiscal year appropriations process. I will be working with my colleagues to craft and pass funding bills that support the shared goal to preserve and promote this heritage.”

Womack also said the budget process is just getting started.

“I greatly appreciate the president’s input as we put together the fiscal year 2026 budget and determine the level of funding for specific programs,” Womack noted. “That being said, this budget request is just that: a request. I value the Fort Smith National Historic Site, and, as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am committed to ensuring that the final spending bills reflect the priorities of the 3rd District.”