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Tap Handle

by | Artifact of the Month, Business and Occupations, Crafts

Donated by J. T. Wampler

J. T. Wampler has been a photographer for Northwest Arkansas Newspapers for almost two decades. Taking a name from a local creek, he opened Tanglewood Branch Brewing Company located at the intersection of South School Avenue and Fifteenth Street in Fayetteville in September 2011. Initially he sold food made from local ingredients along with local and regional beers. In March 2012 Wampler obtained brewing permits and by the end of May, he was serving in-house brewed beer. However, by the end of 2013, the business was in jeopardy. A fundraising campaign raised over $21,000, allowing Tanglewood to remain open until September 2014..

This tap handle was made for Southside Porter, one of Tanglewood’s most popular brewed beers. Wampler commissioned artist Rae Russell to create original tap handles for all of Tanglewood’s in-house beers. Russell also painted “Bountiful Fayetteville,” the PIGshibition sculpture in front of Fayetteville’s Clinton House Museum.

 

Artifact of the Month Archive

Donated by J. T. Wampler

J. T. Wampler has been a photographer for Northwest Arkansas Newspapers for almost two decades. Taking a name from a local creek, he opened Tanglewood Branch Brewing Company located at the intersection of South School Avenue and Fifteenth Street in Fayetteville in September 2011. Initially he sold food made from local ingredients along with local and regional beers. In March 2012 Wampler obtained brewing permits and by the end of May, he was serving in-house brewed beer. However, by the end of 2013, the business was in jeopardy. A fundraising campaign raised over $21,000, allowing Tanglewood to remain open until September 2014..

This tap handle was made for Southside Porter, one of Tanglewood’s most popular brewed beers. Wampler commissioned artist Rae Russell to create original tap handles for all of Tanglewood’s in-house beers. Russell also painted “Bountiful Fayetteville,” the PIGshibition sculpture in front of Fayetteville’s Clinton House Museum.

 

Artifact of the Month Archive

Ozark Nuthead Dolls

by | Artifact of the Month, Crafts

Ozark nuthead dolls“Hillbilly Wedding,” a hickory nut doll diorama, was made by Ben Smith and his wife, Ethel. The Smiths, who lived in the Fayetteville/Springdale area, made dolls and other souvenir items in the late 1940s which were sold locally and by mail order. The Smiths’ son Lavon helped with the souvenir business while attending the University of Arkansas, where he studied art.

The Shiloh Museum purchased “Hillbilly Wedding” from doll collector Hilda Geuther of Eureka Springs.

Artifact of the Month Archive
Ozark nuthead dolls

“Hillbilly Wedding,” a hickory nut doll diorama, was made by Ben Smith and his wife, Ethel. The Smiths, who lived in the Fayetteville/Springdale area, made dolls and other souvenir items in the late 1940s which were sold locally and by mail order. The Smiths’ son Lavon helped with the souvenir business while attending the University of Arkansas, where he studied art.

The Shiloh Museum purchased “Hillbilly Wedding” from doll collector Hilda Geuther of Eureka Springs.

Artifact of the Month Archive

Gibson Basket

by | Artifact of the Month, Crafts

Donated by Ada Lee Shook

Gibson oak basketLena Smith of Fayetteville owned this basket made by Lifus G. Gibson (1879-1958). Gibson was a member of a well-known family of Northwest Arkansas basket makers. Born and raised in Spring Valley (Washington County), he lived in Fayetteville in his later years, where he made and sold baskets. 

Lifus Gibson was a descendant of Christopher Columbus “Lum” Gibson (1865-1947), who settled near Spring Valley where he originated a basket design in the 1880s that has been passed down in the Gibson family for generations. Gibson baskets are distinctive for their twill-patterned rectangular base, thick handle, and absence of nails.

Artifact of the Month Archive
Gibson oak basket

Donated by Ada Lee Shook

Lena Smith of Fayetteville owned this basket made by Lifus G. Gibson (1879-1958). Gibson was a member of a well-known family of Northwest Arkansas basket makers. Born and raised in Spring Valley (Washington County), he lived in Fayetteville in his later years, where he made and sold baskets.

Lifus Gibson was a descendant of Christopher Columbus “Lum” Gibson (1865-1947), who settled near Spring Valley where he originated a basket design in the 1880s that has been passed down in the Gibson family for generations. Gibson baskets are distinctive for their twill-patterned rectangular base, thick handle, and absence of nails.

Artifact of the Month Archive

Woodcarving

by | Artifact of the Month, Crafts

Donated by Kenneth Wickham

Born near Cassville, Missouri, Roy Harris (1893–1977) started carving in 1959 at the age of 65. He specialized in farm-related miniatures and exhibited at the War Eagle Craft Fair (Benton County) for several years.

In 1964 Harris and his wife moved to Frost’s High Sky Inn, an old tourist court east of Springdale. Due to failing eyesight he stopped whittling around 1970.

The donor of this carving burned the words “Arkansas War Eagle” and “1966” (not visible in the photo) on the piece.

Artifact of the Month Archive

Iroquois Beadwork Frame

by | Artifact of the Month, Crafts, Household Goods

Gertie Copening at Hindsville (Madison County), 1940s. Jim Vaughan Collection (S-96-126-3)

Donated by Jim Vaughan

This decorative frame belong to Gertie Copening (1881-1962) of Hindsville (Madison County). The message on the postcard in the frame reads, “May Christmas peace keep winter from the heart.”

The frame is an example of Iroquois raised beadwork, a tradition originated by the Iroquois in western New York in the late 1700s. The beadwork became popular in the 1800s, when frames, pincushions, needle cases, and other items were sold as souvenirs and keepsakes at fairs, exhibitions, Wild West shows, and other venues. Contemporary artists continue this tradition of beadwork today.

Artifact of the Month Archive

Dulcimer

by | Artifact of the Month, Crafts, Music

L. O. Stapleton of Springdale made this dulcimer for his daughter Linda in 1980. He dubbed the style “Ozarkian Weeping Heart.”

“Stape,” as he was known to friends and family, made over 300 dulcimers, guitars, and other stringed instruments in the 1970s and 1980s out of his Springdale business, Hillbilly Dulcimer Shop.

Artifact of the Month Archive