The Newton House Museum prepares for a new project

EL DORADO, Ark. (KTVE/KARD) — The Newton House Museum has been cleaned up by the master gardeners. They are preparing for a new project that is set to happen within the next few months. KTVE/KARD spoke with museum curator Darrin Riley for more insight on the partnership and what we can expect in the future.

The master gardeners actually have come in with partnership with us and helping a lot of keeping the grounds in tip top shape. And they’ve done an extreme amount of research and sculpturing to make sure what is on the grounds is something that would’ve been on the grounds at the time that Penelope really imported a lot of the flowers and shrubs.

Darrin Riley

This house has been around since the mid 1800’s. Multiple families have lived there. The legacy of the Newton’s is still standing today. But there is something brewing for this house in the near future.

We actually have coming up, our next big one, is our Night of the Living Newtons. That is October 26th this year. And what we do is we are basically throwing a huge harvest festival celebration. An old-style carnival.

Darrin Riley

On October 26th, there will be a lot of activities. Music, food trucks, carnival style games, and a haunted hayride. The day will be full of fun things to do as well as being able to explore the museum with only a candlelight.

There is a lot of rich history within the city of EL Dorado. Many people do not know this though. Museums like this one can help people understand the history of the city more than they do currently.

The historical preservation society were, our whole thing is telling stories. Telling stories of people from the past and people that are in the present. And those that are yet to come. So that they know where we came from. And having the house lets you step into that timeframe with no ropes, no guidelines to say hands off. Nothing to keep you away from experiencing and living the past.

Darrin Riley

If you would like to tour the Newton House Museum, please contact them at (870) 862-9890. You can also visit the office on Faulkner Street.