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The Washington County Historical Society is a nonprofit organization founded in 1951 with the mission to discover, preserve, and celebrate the history of Washington County, Arkansas, and to share that heritage with others.

To carry out this mission, the Society manages and maintains historic properties and sponsors activities such as the annual Battle of Fayetteville observance, Heritage School, walking tours of historic Fayetteville, Statehood Day, and Diverse Settlers programs. It also collaborates with other local and state organizations to identify and maintain historic sites.

The WCHS manages several significant historical properties including the Headquarters House Museum, the Law Office of Gov. Archibald Yell, and the Ridge House. Surrounding Headquarters House are gardens established by the Tebbetts family who built the house before the Civil War. All Society properties are open to the public during limited hours.Tours for both groups and individuals are easily scheduled.  

Marian Tebbetts Banes book published

The Washington County Historical Society has published a new edition of Marian Tebbetts Banes, A Memoir, an account of the life of the Jonas Tebbetts family who in the 1850s built and resided in the house located at 118 E. Dickson in Fayetteville, AR. The structure, though damaged by the Civil War and more than 100 years old, still stands and is known today as Headquarters House.

Marian, the first daughter of Jonas and Matilda Tebbetts, was born in 1949 and spent her early years at the Tebbetts house. Her memoir begins with the story of Jonas coming to Arkansas around 1840, beginning a law practice, and marrying Matilda. It continues with anecdotes about the house, her parents and siblings, and their experiences living in Fayetteville during the Civil War. To supplement her own memories, she relies on the extensive papers of Jonas Tebbetts, who became a prominent lawyer, judge, and politician known for his loathing of slavery. 

Marian’s memoir is a rich source of information about the history of Headquarters House as well as how a pro-Union family survived the war in a community with largely Confederate sympathies. She wrote the story when she was in her late 80s. A pencil note at the end of the original manuscript reports her ill health and an intention to elaborate further on the story “later, if possible.” The date is May 11, 1940; Marian Tebbetts Banes died July 27, 1943, at age 94. 

Marian Tebbetts Banes, A Memoir is available through the WCHS Bookstore for $15; shipping is an additional $5.