Consider this your invitation to attend the grand opening. But if you cant be there for that, please take the time to visit this exhibit in February. It will be well worth it, especially if you are needing some research material for upcoming projects.

Looking forward to seeing lots of you at the grand opening in December and also during the AKA Show in February.

Just to add a couple of things about the grand opening to the press release -- For one, Jack Edmondson is expected to be in town and we're hoping to see one of his historical portrayals or hear him talk about different aspects of Bowie's life.

Also, the "Bowie Knife Symposium" on Friday afternoon (Dec 13th) is free and open to the public. There will be talks on Samuel Bell (by myself), James Black (by Bill Worthen), and on identifying counterfeit knives (by Josh Phillips). We may have another speaker as well.

During the AKA Knife Show weekend, on Friday (Feb 21st) the museum will be open extended hours in the evening so that tableholders and showgoers can come and enjoy the exhibit without having to take time away from the show.

Mark Z

Just a quick bump to remind folks about the Bowie knife exhibit's grand opening this weekend. Lots going on including four PowerPoint presentations about antique Bowie knives on Friday, curator's tours of the exhibit on Saturday, Bowie movies in the theater, and Jack Edmondson as himself (or perhaps Jim Bowie). On Saturday ABS MS Lin Rhea will be demonstrating bladesmithing in the Blacksmith Shop, and I would not be too surprised if another special guest took a turn at the forge as well.

If you like Bowie knives you'll want to get to Historic Arkansas Museum sometime between this weekend and June 22 of next year -- and if you can make it this weekend I promise you'll have a great time.

Mark Z

Hello all. My wife and I were able to attend the grand opening tonight. I must say in terms of the number and quality of bowie knives on display, this is a must see exhibition. James Black, Samuel Bell, Michael Price, Will and Finck, just to name a few. Amazing collection of knives. Mark has done an excellent job organizing this and the museum staff another excellent job on the displays and setup. You all need to make the trip to see the exhibit as this is a rare opportunity for bowie knife lovers. Also a big thank you to Lin and Mark, great to see you all.

Brion

And if you are going to have famous bowie knives, you might as well have people also. This was taken this morning at the museum blacksmith shop. We have Colonel Jim Bowie and Lin Rhea MS.

Thank you Brion, it was a pleasure to see you there and it was very gratifying to see so many people come from long distances to attend. In addition to Brion I recall seeing ABS'ers B.R. and Carolyn Hughes, Joe and Suzanne Keeslar, Burt and Thelma Gaston, Ray Kirk, Tad Lynch and of course Lin Rhea who works at Historic Arkansas Museum and helped in so many ways (I've probably missed others). We had bowie knife collectors come from Virginia, Florida, Texas, Iowa, Illinois, Louisiana and elsewhere -- one delayed returning to his home in Brazil a week just so he could attend. Jack Edmondson came from Texas and his participation was much appreciated by those in attendance. I also met one Alamo buff who came all the way from South Carolina and stayed for the whole weekend, mostly to see Davy Crockett's Schively Bowie knife (which has been hidden away in a safe for the last 25 years or so.)

From the folks I've talked to, I expect a large crowd in Little Rock for the Arkansas Knifemakers Association Show in February, and the museum will remain open late one night that weekend so showgoers can experience the exhibit without taking time away from the show.

Thanks to everyone for your support!

Mark

PS: I hope that Lin won't mind my posting a link to his panoramic shot from the foyer... I love this photo!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/69503114@N06/11354251846/