Fayetteville, AR:
Mount Sequoyah has been a staple of the Fayetteville community since 1922. Formerly known as the “East Mountain,” the area featured a refreshing summer climate; freedom from secular, metropolitan distractions; and proximity to the University of Arkansas, making it the dream location for the Methodist Church to establish a retreat and conference center west of the Mississippi River. These attributes as well as the city’s generous offer of 400 acres, $35,000, and utility and road connections made Fayetteville an obvious choice for the center to be located.
A March 16, 1922, article in the Fayetteville Daily Democrat excitedly proclaimed, “The decision of the commissioners representing Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Missouri reached at Fort Smith last evening between 11:30 o’clock and midnight was telephoned here immediately and by midnight the entire town had been made aware of it by the ringing of the bells, which rivaled the Armistice signing celebration.”
In honor of the original celebration, the 2023 Ringing of the Bells will take place March 15, 2023. Organizations across Northwest Arkansas are invited to sound their bells at 2:22 PM while individuals are invited to gather at Mount Sequoyah’s bell tower. Participating organizations include First Christian Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal, Central United Methodist, St. Catherine’s at Bell Gable, and United First Presbyterian. This moment in time not only celebrates 100 years of organizational growth, but 100 years of creating community bonds and facilitating the dreams of the creatives that make Fayetteville so unique. Now a non-profit cultural community center, Mount Sequoyah is no longer owned and operated by the Methodist Church, but instead an independent board.
Little did the Methodists at the time know, the early foundations they built for Parker Hall, Young Lodge, and The Cross at Overlook Park, standing tall over the humble, up-and-coming Fayetteville, Arkansas, would become the incredible business, artistic, and family destination it is today.
Mount Sequoyah invites you to join us March 15 to share in our joy in how far we have come and our excitement for a bright, limitless future. We will see you there!
About Mount Sequoyah Center: Mount Sequoyah Center is a community space where all are welcome to enjoy our grounds. We are a multi-faceted space with lodging, dining, event, meeting, and recreation space for the community and visitors. It is a non-profit that welcomes other nonprofits, individuals and businesses to host programs, as well as producing its unique programs such as summer camps, swimming, and music and arts programming. Our mountain top is located just minutes from downtown Fayetteville.
