Authors Talk: Lights! Camera! Arkansas!
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Robert Cochran and Suzanne McCray, authors and curators of the book & traveling exhibit "Lights! Camera! Arkansas!" give a multimedia presentation about the Arkansas people and places that have graced the silver screens and stages of film, television, and theater. Tour the exhibit after the show!
Fort Smith Museum of History to Host Lights! Camera! Arkansas! Multimedia Presentation
FORT SMITH, Ark. – As part of its ongoing America's 250th celebration series, the Fort Smith Museum of History invites the public to a special multimedia presentation featuring Dr. Robert Cochran and Dr. Suzanne McCray, authors of Lights! Camera! Arkansas!, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
The program accompanies the museum's traveling exhibition, Lights! Camera! Arkansas!, and offers one of the final opportunities to experience the exhibition before it closes on Saturday, August 8.
Through photographs, film clips, and engaging stories, Dr. Cochran and Dr. McCray will explore Arkansas's remarkable contributions to the motion picture industry. Their presentation highlights the actors, writers, directors, musicians, producers, innovators, and filming locations that have shaped the state's rich cinematic legacy. The evening will also feature Fort Smith's role in film history, including productions filmed in the area and the city's longstanding connection to the motion picture industry.
"We're delighted to welcome Dr. Cochran and Dr. McCray to the Fort Smith Museum of History," said Caroline Speir, Executive Director of the Fort Smith Museum of History. "Their presentation brings Arkansas's film heritage to life while also highlighting Fort Smith's own place in that story. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience this outstanding exhibition through the insights of the authors who helped create it."
Dr. Robert Cochran is Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Arkansas and former director of the Center for Arkansas and Regional Studies. A respected scholar of folklore, literature, and Arkansas culture, he has authored and edited numerous publications documenting the state's unique heritage, including Lights! Camera! Arkansas!.
Dr. Suzanne McCray serves as Vice Provost for Enrollment, Dean of Admissions, and Director of Nationally Competitive Awards at the University of Arkansas. In addition to her distinguished career in higher education, she has authored and edited numerous publications and collaborated with Dr. Cochran to bring Arkansas's cinematic history to audiences across the state through Lights! Camera! Arkansas!.
The presentation begins at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, at the Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. (Doors open at 5:30)
Admission is free for Fort Smith Museum of History members. Regular museum admission rates apply to non-members.
Books by the authors and refreshments will be available for purchase. Complimentary popcorn—and air conditioning—will be provided.
For tickets and additional information, visit www.fortsmithmuseum.org.
About the Exhibition
Developed by the Old State House Museum through the Arkansas Heritage Traveling Exhibit Program, Lights! Camera! Arkansas! celebrates the people and places that have shaped Arkansas's role in film and television for more than a century. The exhibition remains on display at the Fort Smith Museum of History through Saturday, August 8, 2026.
About the Fort Smith Museum of History
Founded in 1910, the Fort Smith Museum of History is the oldest museum in the City of Fort Smith and the second-oldest museum in Arkansas. Located in the historic 1906 Atkinson-Williams Warehouse, the museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the history and culture of Fort Smith and the surrounding region through exhibitions, educational programming, and community engagement.
Fort Smith Museum of History to Host Lights! Camera! Arkansas! Multimedia Presentation
FORT SMITH, Ark. – As part of its ongoing America's 250th celebration series, the Fort Smith Museum of History invites the public to a special multimedia presentation featuring Dr. Robert Cochran and Dr. Suzanne McCray, authors of Lights! Camera! Arkansas!, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
The program accompanies the museum's traveling exhibition, Lights! Camera! Arkansas!, and offers one of the final opportunities to experience the exhibition before it closes on Saturday, August 8.
Through photographs, film clips, and engaging stories, Dr. Cochran and Dr. McCray will explore Arkansas's remarkable contributions to the motion picture industry. Their presentation highlights the actors, writers, directors, musicians, producers, innovators, and filming locations that have shaped the state's rich cinematic legacy. The evening will also feature Fort Smith's role in film history, including productions filmed in the area and the city's longstanding connection to the motion picture industry.
"We're delighted to welcome Dr. Cochran and Dr. McCray to the Fort Smith Museum of History," said Caroline Speir, Executive Director of the Fort Smith Museum of History. "Their presentation brings Arkansas's film heritage to life while also highlighting Fort Smith's own place in that story. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience this outstanding exhibition through the insights of the authors who helped create it."
Dr. Robert Cochran is Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Arkansas and former director of the Center for Arkansas and Regional Studies. A respected scholar of folklore, literature, and Arkansas culture, he has authored and edited numerous publications documenting the state's unique heritage, including Lights! Camera! Arkansas!.
Dr. Suzanne McCray serves as Vice Provost for Enrollment, Dean of Admissions, and Director of Nationally Competitive Awards at the University of Arkansas. In addition to her distinguished career in higher education, she has authored and edited numerous publications and collaborated with Dr. Cochran to bring Arkansas's cinematic history to audiences across the state through Lights! Camera! Arkansas!.
The presentation begins at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, at the Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. (Doors open at 5:30)
Admission is free for Fort Smith Museum of History members. Regular museum admission rates apply to non-members.
Books by the authors and refreshments will be available for purchase. Complimentary popcorn—and air conditioning—will be provided.
For tickets and additional information, visit www.fortsmithmuseum.org.
About the Exhibition
Developed by the Old State House Museum through the Arkansas Heritage Traveling Exhibit Program, Lights! Camera! Arkansas! celebrates the people and places that have shaped Arkansas's role in film and television for more than a century. The exhibition remains on display at the Fort Smith Museum of History through Saturday, August 8, 2026.
About the Fort Smith Museum of History
Founded in 1910, the Fort Smith Museum of History is the oldest museum in the City of Fort Smith and the second-oldest museum in Arkansas. Located in the historic 1906 Atkinson-Williams Warehouse, the museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the history and culture of Fort Smith and the surrounding region through exhibitions, educational programming, and community engagement.
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Where is it happening?
320 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith, AR, United States, Arkansas 72901
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherFort Smith Museum of History
