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The Old State House as the Arkansas War Memorial |
Two major events following World War I played a major part in eliminating threats that the State House would be sold. First, women gained the right to vote, which allowed them to voice their concerns for the State House. Second, the American Legion, a group founded by war veterans, became a political force to be reckoned with. In 1921, their influence prompted the General Assembly to declare the Old State House a "preserved site" and rename it Arkansas War Memorial. Under its new name, it served as the American Legion's headquarters and as home to various patriotic groups.
It would take a second world war, however, to loosen the Legion's grip on the Old State House and pave the way for the site to become a museum. In 1944, Ben Laney was elected governor, and he pledged to restore the Old State House. State Historian Dallas Herndon joined in, advocating that the site be refurbished as the new home of the Arkansas History Commission, the state's archives. On March 5, 1945, the Arkansas Gazette endorsed the idea:
"The Old State House, which was named the War Memorial Building in 1921, needs restoration and the History Commission needs larger and better quarters for the archives and museum. Both objectives might be accomplished by making this historic building suitable for housing the History Commission . . ."
"The building is well located for a museum and library. Arkansiana displayed where history has been made would give a more profound and forceful impression. The Old State House and the collections would enhance each other."
Homer Adkins and Ben Laney on the campaign trail |
When the General Assembly met in 1945, they endorsed the notion of restoring the State House as a home for the History Commission, but they failed to appropriate funds for the project, in part, because Laney was distracted by other matters and could not give the bill his full attention.
"I think a lot of people wanted it," state Sen. E. J. Butler recalled, "but there were things that had a greater priority." The situation was further complicated by a block of hardcore fiscal conservatives within the legislature who opposed any spending bill that did not directly benefit its constituents.
The preservationists began organizing the minute the session closed, vowing to be ready in 1947.
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