Violet Hensley, also known as the “Whittlin Fiddler,” will be the guest of honor at the Baxter County Historical and Genealogical Society’s meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Knox Room of the Donald W. Reynolds Library. Hensley, a resident of Yellville, will be accompanied by her daughter, Wonnie Nelson.
Hensley learned to fiddle in 1928 and started making fiddles nearly four years later by watching her father. She has made 74 fiddles.
Hensley’s musical and fiddling talents caught the attention of Jimmy Driftwood and the owners of Silver Dollar City. She joined the theme park’s crafter’s cast in 1967 and just finished her 52nd year.
Hensley was married to the late Adren Hensley and raised nine children. She recently celebrated her 103rd birthday. Her life is chronicled in her autobiography, “Whittlin and Fiddlin My Own Way.”
The Baxter County Historical and Genealogical Society meets at the library the fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information, call 870-425-2551, visit the Baxter County Heritage Center on South Baker Street Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 4, or go online to baxtercountyhistory.org or facebook.com/BaxterCountyHistoricalandGenealogicalSocietyInc.
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