Library
 The
Newton County Library, housed in a structure of cypress
and native stone, is on the south side of Jasper on Scenic
7 Byway. Unique furniture, handcrafted by local
artisan Charles Christian, includes traditional woven-back
rockers for the reading area and a solid oak circulation
desk. On the walls hang a complete set of watercolor
prints of Newton County scenes, a gift from renowned
artist William McNamara.
E-mail
access and a substantial genealogy collection make
the library a popular spot for out-of- town visitors.
Individuals and families from throughout the U.S., searching
for their roots, have found valuable genealogical information
in books, papers, maps, cemetery and marriage records,
and family histories. Of special interest are school records
dating back to the earliest public schools in the county
and computerized historic records of land transfers to
Arkansas settlers and homesteaders. Hours are: 9:30 -
5:30 weekdays & 10:00 - 2:00 Saturdays.
Programs,
including theater productions and music by local artists,
are presented at the library throughout the year. Admission
is free. 'Buffalo River Country Cooking," a cookbook
created by the Friends of the Library, may be purchased
at locations throughout the county.
BRADLEY HOUSE MUSEUM
 Visit
the past in Newton County when you step through the doors
of Bradley House on the corner of Clark and Daniel Streets
across from the United Methodist Church. April - October
we are open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 11am til 4pm.
November and December we are open Tuesdays 11am til 4pm.
We are closed during Winter months. Phone 446-6247. Admission
by donation.
In
the reception room view albums and videos of pioneer settlers
and long forgotten places. We have records of census,
cemeteries and marriages in Newton County if you are looking
for ancestors.
The
pioneer room houses a collection of hand-made tools and
furniture from the 1800's. The Arthur Pierce collection
features points from the Rock Shelter People of 10,000
years ago.
The
upstairs exhibit gallery features native animals preserved
by taxidermists Clifford Beaver and Ray Carter. See also
the first of a series of history paintings commissioned
by the museum from artist Max Stanley. The painting depicts
the "Trail of Tears" as it passed through the
southwestern tip of Newton County.
Outdoors
you may view the cellar and reconstructed well house and
the Chaney House, moved from Osage, Arkansas, where it
was built in 1848. It's being reconstructed by volunteers,
including local school children and senior citizens.
We'll
soon have an herb garden with plants used by pioneers
and Indians for medicinal purposes, and a diorama depicting
life in a rock shelter. You are all welcome to visit anytime.
Hilary
Jones Wildlife Museum and Information Center
 Newton
County native Hilary Jones was an avid sportsman
whose dream was that the elk would come back to the Buffalo
River County. When Jones was appointed to a five year
term on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, he made
that his top priority and spent many hours working with
the Commission and local people to get the program off
to a good start. The Arkansas elk herd is officially named
in his honor, The Hilary Jones Elk Herd.
With
almost 500 making their home along the Buffalo River corridor,
you may see them while hiking, fishing or canoeing on
the river, or just driving through the area! Stop by
the Elk Center and we'll steer you to some likely
spots. That these magnificent monarchs of the deer family
have come back to a place where we once crowded them out
is a source of pride to us. We want you to share it.
These are just a few of the many places
to visit in Newton County. For a more complete list of
the beauty and history of the unique area visit the Jasper
Chamber of Commerce website.
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