Arkansas Traveler certificate, 2017

The Arkansas Traveler is an honorary title bestowed on notable individuals who, through their actions, serve as goodwill ambassadors for the US state of Arkansas. A certificate is signed by the governor, secretary of state and the recipient's sponsor, and given to the honoree during a ceremony attended by the signers.[1][2]

Background

The Arkansas Traveler. Scene in the Back Woods of Arkansas, lithograph by Currier and Ives, 1870

The Arkansas Traveler story is connected to Colonel Sandford C. Faulkner, who was very active in Arkansas politics. He was also involved in banking and farming during the 19th century. As oral history has relayed it, Faulkner had gotten lost in the Ozarks during one of his many political campaigns. Looking for a place to stay overnight, he wandered by a small, log cabin where he was given lodging and hospitality. Faulkner, who was known for retelling the event, explained that the settler was at first bad tempered and uncommunicative but became more welcoming when Faulkner proved able to complete playing the tune that the settler had been playing on the fiddle.[3] Generally when Faulkner told the story, only he and the settler participated in the conversation.

Faulkner's story of the "Arkansas Traveler" rapidly became part of the state's folklore, leading to the creation of a famous painting by Edward Payson Washbourne which depicts the event.[4][5] Later, in 1870, Currier and Ives created a lithograph of the famous painting.[6][7] Faulkner was also known to perform the tune often on the fiddle, which he would play as part of his narrative.[8]

History

The award was approved in a resolution by the Arkansas Legislature. The award was created in early 1941 with the first certificate granted May 20, 1941, to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.[9][10] While Governor of the state, Bill Clinton conferred the title upon numerous individuals.[2]

Notable recipients

See also

References

  1. ↑ Rhodes, Sonny (July 2016). "Historical Gems: History of the Arkansas Traveler". About You.
  2. 1 2 McCuen, Bill; Clinton, Bill (June 30, 1990). "Arkansas Traveler Award Rresented to Carolina Cotton". Little Rock: State of Arkansas. Retrieved April 17, 2017 – via Encyclopedia of Arkansas.
  3. ↑ Hudgins, Mary D. (Summer 1971). "Arkansas Traveler: A Multi-Parented Wayfarer". Arkansas Historical Quarterly. 30: 145–160.
  4. ↑ Bennett, Swannee (June 8, 2016). "Edward Payson Washbourne (1831–1860)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  5. ↑ Lankford, George (1982). "The Arkansas Traveller: The Making of an Icon". Mid-America Folklore. 10: 16–23.
  6. ↑ Mercer, H. C. (March 1896). "On the Track of the Arkansas Traveller". Century Magazine. 5: 707–712.
  7. ↑ Brown, Sarah (Winter 1987). "The Arkansas Traveller: Southwest Humor on Canvas". Arkansas Historical Quarterly. 46: 348–375.
  8. ↑ Schlosser, S.E. (2004). "Chapter 9. The Log Cabin: Montgomery County, Arkansas". Spooky South (1st ed.). Guilford, CT: Globe Pequot.
  9. ↑ Worthen, William B. (February 3, 2016). "Arkansas Traveler". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  10. ↑ Masterson, James R. (1974). Arkansas Folklore. Little Rock: Rose Publishing.
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