News
What’s going on behind OIRM?
We were given a generous donation by a number of patrons who were interested in creating an outdoor learning area for Old Independence Regional Museum. Their grand idea has led to a unique opportunity to install a learning garden directly behind the museum. If you are familiar with parking at our facility, you might recognize “directly behind the museum” interferes with parking. Indeed, it does. We plan on adding an elaborate garden to the existing parking area. And now you are asking, “But where will I park?” Fear not! The lot beyond the parking lot - to the west - is also owned by OIRM and that blank slate will become the parking area with a permeable surface to allow water to seep naturally into the soil rather than running off into our neighbors’ yards.
Within the next few months, you should begin noticing very large changes. We will be adding raised beds, soil, a stage and storage area for instructors to hold classes, a seating area for students to eat lunch while visiting on school tours, and an abundance of fruit and vegetable plants.
If you would like to contribute to this project, we are taking donations for commemorative benches and planters. Please call 870 793-2121 for details.
Fulbright Bell Dedication
Old Independence Regional Museum is sporting a new-to-us embellishment on our front lawn – a snazzy school bell that once presided over the students and teachers attending the Miller School located south of Anderson (later renamed Lafferty) in Izard County. The classic No. 24 schoolhouse bell with wheel is ready to clang in its snug A-framed stand.
The Miller School was open to students until 1925 when the school district consolidated with Williamson’s Switch and Cedar Grove – both one-room schoolhouses. The new school was named the Cedar School and operated until that district consolidated with Mount Pleasant in 1949.
This sturdy 250 pound bell was generously gifted to the Old Independence Regional Museum by the Fulbright family of Locust Grove. A dedication ceremony will be held on August 31, 2024, at 11:00. Everyone is invited to attend.
Take a look at these cameras!
Nona Floyd walked into the museum a few months ago and noticed we were creating a general store. I mentioned we were looking for items in boxes. “I have my husband’s old cameras, and some are still in the original boxes. I’ll bring them in.”
True to her word, a few days later Nona arrived with a trunk overflowing with beautiful vintage cameras, projectors, and related equipment. We have them on display in our burgeoning general store – come see our progress!
For your enjoyment, below is a story of one of the many cameras Nona donated from R.B.’s vast collection. You can see this camera and many of the others on display now.
Polaroid – Land Camera Model 20, The Swinger
The Land Camera was a self-developing film (instant) camera manufactured between 1948 and 1983. This particular Swinger model hit the market between 1965 and 1970. Its relatively small size and inexpensive cost made the Swinger one of the top selling cameras of all time.
The first commercial Land camera of 1948 (Model 95) created sepia prints in approximately one minute. The camera was named after Edwin Land, and when Mr. Land retired in 1982, so did his name.
“Swinger” sounds so 1960s, but the name is derived from the habit of Mr. Land walking through Phyllis Robinson’s copyright office with the camera swinging from his wrist. She immediately captured the name for advertising purposes.
While the Swinger was priced at below $2.00, the film was not what you would describe as typical for a Polaroid: it was the first venture in film developed outside the camera. To keep costs low, the prints were 3 ¼” x 4 ¼” and were only available in black in white.
Sales dropped in the 1970s when consumers became disillusioned with the quality of the prints. Word of mouth led most people to opt for a different camera. Statistics prove those who did purchase the Swinger developed two rolls of film before abandoning it.
Thank you very much, Nona, for this wonderful collection of cameras we are able to share with our community! Come by Tuesday – Saturday 9:00 – 5:00 to view the Floyd collection of cameras along with our other items in the new General Store display. We will see you at the museum!
