Americas First Resort Celebrated In Exhibit
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Updated: April 17, 2007
In 1832, Arkansas Territory`s Congressional delegate Ambrose Sevier persuaded Congress to set aside "the hot springs lying on the Washita river," and the contiguous land surrounding them, "for the future disposal of the United States... not 1/8to be 3/8 entered, located, or appropriated for any other purpose whatsoever." The act, signed into law by President Andrew Jackson, created the Hot Springs Reservation, the predecessor of today`s Hot Springs National Park.
The State Capitol exhibit, Savoring the Waters: The Early Years at Uncle Sam`s Spa, highlights the early days of the national park as it developed into a health resort and playground for the famous, the infamous, and tens of thousands of other health-seekers.
The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, will be on display in the first-floor galleries of the State Capitol through August from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays and from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on weekends and holidays.
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