Visitors to Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park on Saturday and Sunday, December 5th & 6th, 2009 will enjoy a variety of activities during the park’s Open House.  Hindman Hall museum with its exhibits, videos, and gift shop will be free throughout the weekend.  Everyone will get to watch the Infantry drilling on Saturday and learn about the common Union and Confederate soldier of the Trans-Mississippi.  There will also be demonstrations of the ancient arts of spinning, weaving, and lace making at the Latta kitchen.  In addition, members of the 15th Arkansas Infantry (C.S.A.) will perform and talk to the public about the Confederate soldier.  While food is cooking in the Latta kitchen, members of the Wool and Wheel Handspinners Guild and the Dogwood Lace groups will demonstrate spinning, weaving, and lace making at the Latta Barn.  Spinning thread from cotton, wool, and other materials was a common activity in the Civil War era, especially where cloth was in short supply.  The delicate and intricate art of making lace by hand will also be shown through bobbin lace demonstrations.  There will be guided tours through the historic Latta and Morrow houses at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. both days as well as afternoon tours at 1:30, and 2:30.  Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend this fun family event.
The Prairie Grove Battlefield gift shop has several new items as well.  New t-shirts are available in two designs; the first is a blue shirt with park logo on front, and the second is a sketch of the park’s landmarks on yellow, green, and brown shirts.  Also now available is the long awaited book Fields of Blood: The Prairie Grove Campaign, by Dr. William L. Shea This new book offers a gripping narrative of the events surrounding Prairie Grove, one of the great unsung battles of the Civil War.  Dr. Shea is professor of history at the University of Arkansas in Monticello; and coauthored Pea Ridge: Civil War Campaign in the West (UNC Press).  The Centennial Cookbook by the Prairie Grove United Daughters of the Confederacy is also on sale for $10.00.  The park gift shop has a large selection of additional books and souvenir items as well.
The difficulties of life limited the decorating done at Christmas time by early citizens of the Ozarks. Nevertheless, Christmas was a time for celebrating and practicing long time traditions.  Christmas trees and other decorations adorned homes and the Christmas feast was always a special time for families.
The Christmas Open House is a FREE activity at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park.  Hindman Hall Museum & Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  Normal admission to the museum exhibits and battlefield park video is $3.00 plus tax for adults and $2.00 plus tax for children 6 to 12 or a family rate of $10.00 plus tax.  The Historic House Tours are available at 9:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., or 3:30 p.m., which includes the museum and video at $5.00 plus tax for adults and $3.00 plus tax for children 6 to 12 or a family rate of $15.00 plus tax.  Free Battlefield Tours are available at 10:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m.  For more information or in case of bad weather contact the park: Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, 506 E. Douglas Street, Prairie Grove, AR 72753; or call (479) 846-2990; e-mail prairiegrove@arkansas.com.
Check us out on the web at http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/prairiegrovebattlefield for information about the Battlefield Park and other Arkansas State Park locations and a full listing of events. The Park has several events and activities scheduled for 2010.