Library and Museum

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.

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Learn more from their website.

https://www.newtoncountylibrary.org/

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. 

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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.

Our website is http://www.newtoncountyar.com