Officials with the Ozarks Heritage Research Center (OHRC) at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) will host a special presentation on “Slavery in Northern Arkansas: A Forgotten History” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at the Garnett Library, 304 W. Trish Knight St., in West Plains.

The presentation will feature historian and researcher Vincent S. Anderson of Mountain Home, Arkansas. Anderson has spent years researching and traveling throughout the Ozarks, exploring homesteads, cemeteries and archival records to uncover the often-overlooked history of slavery in Northern Arkansas. His work tracks the lives of the enslaved, fugitives and free Blacks, as well as those who wielded power over them.

“This lecture confronts uncomfortable truths, but it is essential as we work through the historical realities of slavery in this region,” Anderson said.

More about the presentation

The presentation will examine how slavery in Northern Arkansas mirrored its counterpart across the Missouri-Arkansas state line. Census records and demographic data will highlight the scope of enslavement, with particular attention given to children held in bondage and efforts to uncover their fates after Emancipation.

Additionally, Anderson will discuss the migration patterns of formerly enslaved individuals as they sought refuge and opportunity in regional cities as freedmen. Using both primary and secondary sources, he will analyze firsthand accounts, legal documents and historical narratives to provide a deeper understanding of slavery’s lasting impact on the region.

“This lecture is not just about the past, it’s about understanding the enduring and detrimental legacies of slavery that continue to shape our world today,” Anderson said.

The event is free and open to all. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information about the event, contact Rebekah McKinney at 417-255-7949 or RebekahMcKinney@MissouriState.edu.