Churchill Chapter Hosts 115th Annual Convention

The ladies of the General T. J. Churchill Chapter were pleased to co-sponsor the 115th Annual Convention of the Arkansas Division in Little Rock on September 23-25, 2010. The event held in Little Rock’s oldest Historic District offered a wide array of elegant events.

The Presidents Open House was sponsored by Margaret Wyatt Piano and Vocal Studio in memory of Ms. Wyatt’s Great-Grandmother, Mrs. Alice Rebecca Young-Carson, General James F. Fagan Chapter #1209, Benton, AR and her Grandmother, Mrs. Mineth Cecil Carson-Threet, Jenkins Ferry Chapter #1978, Sheridan, AR. Sadly neither of these Chapters are now active. Photos of the ladies were displayed along with a large newspaper article describing in much details and pageantry the dedication of the Jenkins Ferry Battle Monument by the Chapter of the same name.

Friday afternoon, September 24th, the ladies traveled via horse and carriage provided by Little Rock Horse and Carriage to the Memorial Service at St. Edward Catholic Church. The beautiful circa 1905 Church was the perfect setting in which to honor fifteen members of the Arkansas Division lost to death this year. Carriages transported members to MacArthur Park for the laying of the wreath at the Capitol Guards Monument. The main building at MacArthur Park was constructed in 1840. Known as the Arsenal building, it played a pivotal role during the war. First occupied by Confederate troops and then secured by Federal troops on September 10, 1863. The Arkansas Civil War Reenactors, dressed in Confederate uniforms, fired volleys at the conclusion of the service.

An elegant historical evening awaited guests. Period music was provided by Lark in the Morning as guests entered to soft lighting and candlelight. Churchill members Sharon Gaskin and Melia Mellard and their dashing escorts waltzed in representation of such an event that night have occurred 150 years ago in September 1860, before Arkansas was at war. Members and guests had the unique opportunity to individually recognize their Confederate ancestors by lighting a candle in memory of their ancestor and then were presented with a white rose in remembrance of their service.