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Submitted: 8/18/13 • Approved: 9/6/13 • Last Updated: 9/9/13 • R919453-G0-S3
Dallas Tabor Herndon
Father of the Archival Movement in Arkansas
First Executive Director of the Arkansas History Commission (1911 - 1953)
August 28, 1878 - February 21, 1953
Dallas Tabor Herndon was born to John Alpheus and Mary Mildred Brown Herndon in Elbert, Elberton County, Georgia. John was a farmer. Dallas received his education from the local schools. Then in 1902-1903 applied, and was accepted at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) where he received his BS and MS degrees in history and political science. After spending four years teaching in Mobile and Auburn, Alabama he entered the University of Chicago. This is where he worked towards his Ph.D in in history and English with a specialty in “original research.” He moved to Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas in 1911 and was appointed as the first Executive Secretary and only employee of the Arkansas History Commission. The Commission was created in 1905 by the General Assembly with the Mission: keep and care for the official archives of the State of Arkansas;
collect material bearing on the history of Arkansas from the earliest times;
copy and edit official records and other historical material; and
encourage historical work and research by the public.
He labored tirelessly to preserve manuscripts and other material relating to Arkansas history and culture. Although he worked for a modest salary and had little resources of appropriated funds (1,400 in 1911) he developed an archival program for Arkansas housed in the new Capitol building. As well, he assembled artifacts collections, for a popular State History Museum and a gallery of photographs of distinguished Arkansans. Herndon was the author of "Centennial History of Arkansas" (1922), "Why Little Rock Was Born" (1933) (the first published history of that city), the "Arkansas Handbook" (1936, 1938, and 1940 editions), and "Annals of Arkansas" (1947). His papers are in the repository of the Arkansas History Commission. This consist of his Correspondence and Writings
He became know as the father of the archival movement in Arkansas.
He was truly a man who loved his work and worked his love to save the history of Arkansas. In 1951 Hemdon was suffering from a number of serious health problems but he supervised the move of his beloved historical achieves to the recently renovated Old State House in downtown Arkansas. Afterwards, he became more infirm and unable to visit his office. In early 1953 the Arkansas History Commission named his Director Emeritus and was forced him into retirement. despondent over his continued ill health, Herndon committed suicide at his home near Mt. Vernon (Faulkner County). His body was cremated.
Herndon married Joyce Adkission in January 19, 1925 in Faulkner County, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Edward Butler Adkission and Susan Clara Henry Adkisson.
She was born December 18, 1901 in Mount Vernon, Faulkner County, Arkansas and died June 6, 1986 in Little Rock Pulaski County, Arkansas
They have a shared gravestone in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Faulkner County, Arkansas. See the gravestone photo
The people of Arkansas owe Dallas Tabor Herndon a great token of gratitude. Without his work there would have been a great amount of the history of Arkansas lost forever.
Sources: *Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture, Hendrix Collage Archives and Special Collections, Arkansas History Commission Online
There are several of his books for sale via the internet if you are interested in reading some of his books on the history of Arkansas. My favorite is the much republished “Highlights of Arkansas History and Arkansas Handbook” which were used as reference sources. Some of his work maybe found in your local library.
Tootie Dennis
Contributed on 8/18/13 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 919453