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On October 5, the University of Arkansas at Monticello hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Taylor House, which was once part of the historic Hollywood Plantation in Tillar, Arkansas.

UAM acquired the Taylor House in 2011. The original two-story structure was constructed of cypress logs cut in 1846, and the home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Between 2012 and 2017, UAM was awarded nearly $2.4 million in grants from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council (ANCRC) for the restoration of the property.

Members of the UAM History faculty have been a part of the restoration process and were onsite during the ceremony to discuss the building's unique architectural significance. The ceremony also served as the debut of an archeology exhibit put together by UAM’s station archeologist on the investigations conducted at the property over the past 30 years.

During the ceremony, Stacy Hurst, secretary and state historic preservation officer of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism and secretary of the ANCRC, said, “We offer our thanks to the University of Arkansas at Monticello for taking on this project. Their continued management of the Taylor House property is essential to its preservation.”

Dr. Peggy Doss, chancellor of UAM, stated, “UAM is proud to serve as a steward of the historic Taylor House. Preservation of our history in Southeast Arkansas is essential, and we recognize that we have a serious responsibility to pass this information to future generations. The history of the Taylor House contains many remarkable stories, from the Taylor’s enslaved African American community transitioning to freedom and wage-based farming to the farming feats and the endangered Bayou Bartholomew. I want to thank the ANCRC for their support of the Taylor House and the UAM faculty and staff who play a role in the property’s continued preservation and educational outreach.”