Library Card Sign Up Month 2024 Recap
September is over, and fall is on its way. We had an absolutely amazing Library Card Sign Up Month (LCSUM)!!! Thank you to everyone who participated – from the 50+ businesses offering discounts to library card holders, to the Saline County residents who signed up for a library card or renewed their card, and everyone … Continued
A Tale of Three Theaters
By Cody Berry Downtown Benton was once home to three movie theaters but not all at the same time. The Palace was the oldest, then came the IMP (Independent Motion Pictures), which we now call the Royal, and the Victory. The Palace Theater was built in 1919 on West South Street in Benton just around … Continued
The Masonic History of Charles Hyten
Many of Saline County’s most influential and well-known men were members of the local Masonic lodge. The Benton Masonic Lodge was chartered on November 6, 1850, and its first Worshipful Master was A.C. Scott.1 Like Dr. Gann, Sr and his son, Niloak Pottery owner and creator Charles “Bullet” Hyten was a Freemason. Charles Hyten was … Continued
Free Halloween Programs for All Ages
Free Halloween events are wicked this way comes! 🎃 We’ve got a SPOOKY amount of fun for all ages headed your way! You don’t need a library card to attend, but don’t you know you can check out the scariest books, movies, and more with your library card!? If you don’t have a library card, … Continued
The Great Flood of 1978
By Cody Berry After seeing the news about all the damage caused by Hurricane Helene in the past few days, I was reminded about an entry I wrote in graduate school about another natural disaster. On September 13, 1978, a large rainstorm brought record-setting amounts of rainfall to Central Arkansas. 13 people lost their lives … Continued
Costume Closet Opens October 1!
➡️ Our costume closet is running low on costumes. The costume closet is asking for donations for all ages and sizes. Donate your unused costumes today to help everyone find a free Halloween fit. Thank you for helping keep the costume closet stocked! Saline County Library’s annual Costume Closet is open for business! 🎃 🎉 … Continued
Museum Day 2024 Recap
By Cody Berry Saline County’s fourth annual Museum Day was a great success for the Gann Museum. This past Saturday, the museum welcomed more than 60 guests of all ages to see our “Building History” exhibit and more. From 10am until 4pm, ten Saline County museums were opened at the same time. Armed with stamps … Continued
Only The Names Have Changed
By Cody Berry After spending many, many hours scanning, organizing, and labeling pictures I’ve discovered in the museum, I’ve come across several old photos of things I recognize. The people in the photos — not so much. One of the cool things about living in such a well-preserved Southern town is that for the most … Continued
Cartoonist Ron Meyer’s illustrations added to Gann Museum
By Cody Berry Anyone who grew up reading the Saline Courier, or perhaps even the Democrat or the Gazette before their merger, will know the name Ron Meyer. Well, we’re happy to report that as of September 5, 2024, the Gann Museum now has hundreds more of his artworks to keep and share with our … Continued
The Legend of the Pink Panther
By Cody Berry Growing up in Benton, the first time I remember seeing the Pink Panther character had nothing to do with the movies. It was about football. Since the Panthers were our team, it made perfect sense that our mascot was a cartoon panther. But our mascot was a black panther not a pink … Continued