White River Valley Historical Society

The upper White River Valley has a rich heritage. From Native American hunters to settlers making their homes in the wilderness, the region has grown throughout the decades, despite the hardships of the Civil War and subsequent era of lawlessness. In order to help preserve and communicate that heritage of the past to the present and beyond, the White River Valley Historical Society was founded. The White River Valley Historical Society was formed in the fall of 1961. At the time, no local historical societies existed in the region, and the society included eight counties in Missouri and Arkansas. Since that time, most of these counties have developed their own historical societies, and the WRVHS has come to concentrate on the history of the upper White River Valley, primarily on Taney County. Throughout the past fifty-two years, members of the Society have followed its’ mission to “preserve, protect, and promote” the cultural history of the region. Committees and volunteers work tirelessly with efforts to transcribe cemeteries, document historic sites and structures, offer exhibits and educational events, and make as many collection items available in the museum as possible.