Fox on the Road: Drennen-Scott Historic Site
By: Bobbi Smith
Updated: December 20, 2012
The Drennen-Scott Historic Site is where John Drennen, the founder of Van Buren Arkansas, once called home. Now it is a learning laboratory for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith's history department.
"What we have is a very special project that was originally a home of a family that started in the 1830's," said Tom Wing, Director of the Drennen Scott Historic Site.
The home has been passed down the Drennen family, generation after generation and when UAFS purchased the house in 2005, the family was still living in it.
"Everything in this house was owned by the family, so we didn't have to go to antique stores and buy proper period pieces to furnish the house," remarked Wing.
As you look around, the rich history is evident. The original family bible sitting at the entry way, the antique dishes on the table where generations of family members dinned, but if you scratch the surface there's more.
"This clock is the oldest piece inside the home - dating back to the 1700's - hidden inside the door is a record of every previous owner."
Because of John Drennen's contribution to Van Buren and the United States, the Historic Site is nationally recognized.
"This house is nationally significant - on the National Register of Historic Places because John Drennen did some of his work on the trail of tears from this very room that we are sitting in right now."
And Drennen's contributions to Van Buren are still evident today.
Said Wing, "John Drennen's legacy is still alive and well today. when you hear a train horn blow in Van Buren, he was the guy that got those rail roads built."
"What we have is a very special project that was originally a home of a family that started in the 1830's," said Tom Wing, Director of the Drennen Scott Historic Site.
The home has been passed down the Drennen family, generation after generation and when UAFS purchased the house in 2005, the family was still living in it.
"Everything in this house was owned by the family, so we didn't have to go to antique stores and buy proper period pieces to furnish the house," remarked Wing.
As you look around, the rich history is evident. The original family bible sitting at the entry way, the antique dishes on the table where generations of family members dinned, but if you scratch the surface there's more.
"This clock is the oldest piece inside the home - dating back to the 1700's - hidden inside the door is a record of every previous owner."
Because of John Drennen's contribution to Van Buren and the United States, the Historic Site is nationally recognized.
"This house is nationally significant - on the National Register of Historic Places because John Drennen did some of his work on the trail of tears from this very room that we are sitting in right now."
And Drennen's contributions to Van Buren are still evident today.
Said Wing, "John Drennen's legacy is still alive and well today. when you hear a train horn blow in Van Buren, he was the guy that got those rail roads built."
