A Special Relationship Part II: How the Gann Became a Museum
By Cody Berry In my last article, I wrote about how the Saline County Library got the deed to the former Gann Memorial Library from Mary Baum. So, now that the library board had control over the building, what did they do with it? In January 1972, an article in the Benton Courier stated that … Continued
A Special Relationship Part I: How It All Began
By Cody Berry This is the first in a series of articles about the formation of the Gann Museum and its special relationship with the Saline County Library. While looking for information about the end of Bauxite as a company town, I stumbled across a headline for a new city museum in Benton. I had … Continued
East End has a Community Pantry!
Thanks to our amazing community in Saline County, we were able to raise enough food and hygiene products to start up a new community pantry in East End! Back in November of 2024, the library put together the Battle of the Businesses initiative. Local businesses in Saline County duked it out in an epic fight … Continued
Book Recs of 2024!
Looking for an awesome book recommendation? Look no further – We’ve got you covered! 💚 Throughout the year, we’ve been sharing some of our favorite books on social media. Everything from horror to adventure, to the coziest stories to warm you up on a cold winter night! Are you looking for your next read to … Continued
A Bell Tower for Dr. Gann, Jr.
By Cody Berry Did you know that the Angelus Bell and its tower at Benton’s Our Lady of Fatima church were donated in memory of Dr. Gann, Jr? In my research on the Gann Museum and all its contents I came across an article on Our Lady of Fatima’s website called “Our Bell Rings Again!” … Continued
The County’s First Bilingual Newspaper?
By Cody Berry Did you know Bauxite had a bilingual newspaper over a century ago? It did! While the history of the town of Bauxite, Arkansas goes back to the late nineteenth century, its editorial history began with the publication of the Bauxite News in 1920. It ran from June 1920 to January 1921 when … Continued
Dr. James Wyatt Walton and Dr. T.E. Buffington
By Cody Berry Saline County has a long and colorful history. And it’s certainly had its share of great doctors and I’m not just talking about Dr. Gann, Sr. and his son. In our “Only the Names Have Changed” exhibit, we’ve featured the homes of two other Saline County physicians; Dr. James Wyatt Walton and … Continued
Niloak Pottery’s Centennial Anniversary!
By Cody Berry When we started going through the Gann Museum’s collections, we found an old box of items left behind by Arlene Hyten Rainey, the daughter of Niloak inventor Charles Hyten. The box contained her father’s bible, a sample of hair from a Civil War hero, Mr. Hyten’s formula books, and a patent certificate … Continued
The Courthouse at Christmas
The Courthouse at Christmas By Cody Berry Pictured above: the courthouse in present day (December 2024) lit up with Christmas lights for the holidays. Growing up here the lighting of the Courthouse was always a favorite holiday tradition of mine. As a boy, I thought our beautiful Romanesque Courthouse was a castle, or perhaps even … Continued
Bring joy with the Imagination Library!
The Saline County Library is collecting donations for the charity foundation Imagination Library, founded by the one and only Dolly Parton! 😱 This program is funded by grants, and generous donations from folks like you! All donations go directly to the Saline County Chapter of the Imagination Library to promote early literacy by purchasing picture … Continued