Sultana Heritage Festival sets speaker schedule

Sultana Heritage Festival sets speaker schedule

Local, regional historians to hold forum this weekend

ralphhardin@gmail.com Saturday, April 30, Trinity in the Fields Anglican Church will host a special forum as part of the Sultana Heritage Festival.

Local and regional historians wil gather at the church, located at 100 E. Old Military Rd., in Marion for a morning and afternoon of presentations centered on not only the Sultana disaster but a variety of related historical topics. Here is the schedule for the heritage forum:

9:30 to 10:15 a.m. — Frank Barton and John Fogleman, Descendants

The Family at Fogleman's Landing and Mound City The April 27, 1865 Rescue

10:15 to 10:30 a.m. — Break 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. — Michael Lejman, Historian

Railroads and Politics in the 1800's

11:15 a.m. to 12 noon — A. Jan Thomas, Historian

The Esperanza Trail 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. — Lunch Break 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. — Jerry Potter, Author

The Sultana Tragedy: America's Greatest Maritime Disaster

The Tragic Events Leading To a Disaster

2:30 to 3:30 p.m. — Jimmy Ogle, Memphis Historian Extraordinaire

The First Battle of Mem- phis The Travels of the Memphis

Appeal

Times and itenerary are subject to change. The Sultana Heritage Festival is Saturday April 30 and Sunday May 1, with a full slate of events at the Courthouse Square in Marion. Highlights will include unveiling of plans for the permanent Sultana Disaster Museum, music by the 52nd Regimental String Band, actor portrayals of historical figures, a magic show, musket demonstrations and $2 wagon rides.

For more information call the Marion Chamber of Commerce at (870) 7396041, or visit www.marionarchamber.

org online.

By Ralph Hardin