Years of efforts to secure a new owner and a dedicated funding stream for the historic Wolf House at Norfork have finally paid off, with the site having been acquired by the Arkansas Department of Heritage. The acquisition came last fall, resulting in an historic site manager being selected and locating here in early March.
Marlin Mowdy brings more than 20 years of state-level experience to the role of historic site manager at the Norfork landmark. His tenure includes over 17 years with the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and stints with both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Mowdy’s selection as historic site manager here is his second position in the Ozarks, having worked at Mammoth Springs State Park from 1995-2000.
Mowdy says there are wonderful plans in the works to move the Jacob Wolf House Historic Site forward.
In the first segment of a two-part series, KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot looks at the plans to restore and revitalize the Wolf House.
Mowdy says over the next two to three years, there are plans for considerable amounts of site improvement and future development.
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Mowdy says the community center will be transformed into an administrative office and a small welcome center with exhibits. Those exhibits will highlight the many interpretive stories that are planned for the site.
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Mowdy says you can’t tell the story of the Jacob Wolf House without telling the story of travel and trade on the White River.
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The historic site manager says he hopes to have a replica keel boat constructed on site to appear as though it is in drydock. This exhibit would allow site visitors to enjoy learning about river travel and trade and bringing people to the North Central Highlands of the Ozarks during that time period.
In part two of our series, Mowdy provides details on activities at the Wolf House during this weekend’s annual Pioneer Days celebration.
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