In the Shadow of the Gallows

Originally presented in 1998, In the Shadow of the Gallows examines the attitudes toward the federal executions at Fort Smith between 1873 and 1896 from the perspectives of the various eras. The exhibit will open on August 15, 2009, the anniversary of the first federal execution at Fort Smith in 1873. An opening reception scheduled for 7:00 pm will include refreshments and a presentation. At the time of the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas, “hanging day” in Fort Smith was an important event and usually drew large crowds. The dubious notoriety associated with Judge Isaac C. Parker, the lawmen and outlaws was downplayed during the first half of the twentieth century. During the 1950’s, this part of Fort Smith history reemerged as a tourist attraction with the establishment of the Fort Smith National Historic Site. Today, the gallows and the restored court of Judge Parker remain an extremely popular attraction. The exhibit addresses the changing perspectives of the executions through photographic images, newspaper accounts of the executions, artifacts and souvenirs. Fort Smith Museum of History curator, Alana Embry, has worked closely with Fort Smith National Historic Site staff to recreate and update the exhibit. In addition to the exhibit, a series of documentary film showings relevant to this era of Fort Smith history will be presented at various locations throughout the year. The first film, Outlaw Tech, is scheduled for August 20, 2009, 7:00 pm at the Miller Branch of the Fort Smith Public Library. This project is supported in part by a grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Fort Smith Museum of History is located at 320 Rogers Avenue. Call 479-783-7841 for information and for a schedule of events.