Johnson County, Arkansas, Historical Society and Heritage Center

07/23/2026

07/23/2026

The latest Journal is on its way! The mail-out crew deserves a huge Thank You!, from everyone.

07/23/2026

07/18/2026

The August meeting is rapidly approaching.

07/07/2026

Oak Grove Cemetery, northern Johnson County, along with most rural cemeteries in the area depend primarily on donations to maintain the burial grounds. Family members volunteer labor, but still associations often struggle to fund necessary care.

If you have family members buried in a small country cemetery, please contribute to the affiliated association to honor your ancestors.

07/05/2026

Mark Hodge, Johnson County Historical Society president, speaks at Johnson County's commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Preamble to the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence states the principles on which our government, and our identity as Americans, are based. Unlike the other founding documents, the Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, but it is powerful. Abraham Lincoln called it “a rebuke and a stumbling-block to tyranny and oppression.” It continues to inspire people around the world to fight for freedom and equality.
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration

06/10/2026

Join us next week!

Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/S1-A-tFnQTm6hfNq0t7SSw #/registration

I Am Just Like You: I Am Not Like You — Researching LGBTQ+ and Underrepresented Ancestors

Presented by Phil James

Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 6:30 PM CST

Genealogy is about telling the full, authentic stories of our ancestors—but many lives fall outside traditional records and expectations. In this workshop, we’ll explore how to thoughtfully and respectfully research LGBTQ+ individuals in your family history, including when and how to reflect identity in your tree. We’ll also consider whether focusing only on traditional marriage and family structures limits the stories we tell.

Beyond LGBTQ+ research, we’ll examine approaches to researching other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups, including Hispanic/Latino, Jewish, and Black communities. You’ll gain guidance on evolving terminology, culturally aware research practices, and how to navigate uncertainty with confidence, along with resources to help you uncover and honor diverse family histories.

Phil James has been a practicing genealogist since about 1970, first as a hobby, and now full-time. His background in anthropology and computer science, specifically software, firmware, and hardware testing in Quality Assurance, has informed his pursuit of data and nuance — and his desire to be represented and counted. He has taught numerous classes, most recently: multiple 3: 90-minute sessions for Open House, a SF, CA LGBT housing and social organization.

06/08/2026

From The Johnson County Graphic's online archives: June 3, 2015 issue.
Requested by Anita Birdsong.

01/06/2026

The Fall Journal is in the mail! Watch for it.

01/02/2026

Quarrying Cabin Creek Bluestone, Collier, Arthur J., Arkansas Coal Field, The, 1907. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/b326