Hardwood Tree Museum

2nd Annual Hardwood Tree Museum Day Provided Plenty of Hands-On, Family-Friendly Activities

Posted on November 24, 2014 by hardwoodtree

Hands-on fun!

For the second month in a row, the Hardwood Tree Museum held a public event in conjunction with the Janet Huckabee Nature Center at Chaffee Crossing. And once again, the weather was beautiful!

The second annual Hardwood Tree Museum Day was held November 8 and 9 as a celebration of local hardwoods. Outside, visitors were greeted by local woodturners demonstrating their craft…

Turning a miniature bell

And by live sawing demos, which adults AND kids tried out for themselves…

Good friend of the HTM Ellen Udouj Echols trying her hand…

This little guy’s doing a great job!

Inside, there were displays and exhibits showcasing locally created wood products, and several presentations were shown.

Some fine items from the woodturners

Interesting for all ages

A beautiful hand-made guitar by HTM board member Dennis Silar

There were also plenty of kid-friendly games and educational activities…

A new event that proved popular was a kid-only trail tour by former forester and Museum board member Bob Gillson. This guided talk was conducted along the museum’s recently dedicated Herman J. Udouj Memorial Trail.

Bob Gillson working his magic during a really fun and educational talk

Thanks once more to videographer Haskell Baker from 5 News for coming out to cover another event of ours – as well as to everyone else who came out to enjoy the day with us!

Kids proudly showing off wooden toy tops from the woodturners

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Public Dedication of Memorial Trail Attracts Enthusiastic Crowd

Posted on October 11, 2014 by hardwoodtree

Mayor Sandy Sanders and Hardwood Tree Museum board members dedicating the Herman J. Udouj Memorial Trail

Mayor Sandy Sanders and HWT Museum board members

We are so thankful for everyone who came to our public dedication of the Herman J. Udouj Memorial Trail last Saturday! The beautiful, sunny day saw more than 100 people on hand to watch the official ribbon-cutting ceremony and short program, with many staying afterwards to walk the newly created trail.

Herman J. Udouj

Located to the south of the Janet Huckabee Nature Center at Chaffee Crossing, and on forested grounds being acquired by the Hardwood Tree (HWT) Museum, the trail was built as a lasting memorial to a local business giant.

Herman Udouj started Riverside Furniture in 1946 with 40 employees and at its peak, the company consisted of 9 plants and 3700 employees.

Riverside is still in business today and many of its past and present employees were on hand for the dedication.

In addition, CEO Howard Spradlin and other employees of Riverside Furniture Corporation donated generously, along with Herman’s nephew Dick Udouj and forester and HWT Museum board member Bob Gillson, to make the memorial trail a reality.

Here are some pictures taken of the various speakers during the well-attended dedication program. (Click to enlarge any of the photos.)

Hardwood Tree Museum board member Bob Gillson at trail dedication

HWT Museum board member and forester Bob Gillson acting as the day’s emcee

We had a crowd!

Fort Smith, Arkansas Mayor Sandy Sanders talking at Hardwood Tree Museum trail dedication

Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders

Riverside Furniture CEO Howard “Buddy” Spradlin

Herman Udouj’s nephew, Dick Udouj

Herman’s daughter, Ellen Udouj-Echols

In addition to the wonderfully enthusiastic crowd, we were also happy to see members of the media, including photographer Jamie Mitchell from the Southwest Times Record newspaper and videographer Haskell Baker from 5 News.

The Times Record's Jamie Mitchell talking to Bob Gillson

The Times Record’s Jamie Mitchell with Bob Gillson

5 News interviewing Gillson

Here’s a link to the TV news story.

Thanks again to everyone who helped us celebrate this wonderful occasion!

HWT board members Bob Worley, Dick Udouj, and James Reddick w/ Mayor Sanders (2nd from left)

HWT board members Dick Udouj and Dustin Collyge walking the trail

The new Herman J. Udouj Memorial Trail by the Hardwood Tree Museum in Fort Smith, Arkansas

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Old Sawmill Gifted to Hardwood Tree Museum

Posted on September 11, 2014 by hardwoodtree

An old sawmill has been gifted to the Hardwood Tree Museum so it can be restored and put on exhibit. According to Board Member Billy Higgins, the 48″ blade is still intact — along with its carriage and mandrel. Continue reading →

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