From Erik Ditzler, via Facebook: Thank you for adding me to the group. I am a park ranger at Arkansas Post, which is one of the places Nuttall visited in his expedition. I would love to speak to some of you experts and learn more about Nuttalls experience at Arkansas Post!
Steve: Erik, it would be great to chat with you anytime about Nuttall. Do you plan any activities for next year (the bicentennial of his visit?) The Fort Smith Historic Site on the AR/OK border is also NPS facility. Interesting that both ends of the AR portion of his trip are historic NPS!
Erik: I don’t have an event planned, but I would certainly consider doing one! Would you have any interest in participating in an event at Arkansas Post? It is a story that we haven’t concentrated much on in the past, but with the bicentennial coming up, it would be a great time to start. Interestingly enough, 1819 was also the bicentennial of Arkansas Post becoming the first capital of the Arkansas Territory, and the first printing of the Arkansas Gazette. There is a lot to celebrate! I love the fact that there are NPS sites all along the Arkansas River. Ft Larned in Kansas and Bents old Fort in Colorado are also on the Arkansas River. I have had a conversation with the Rangers at Ft Smith about doing some sort of “parks on the Arkansas” exhibit. That would be cool!