Sultana Disaster Museum moves to Marion, Ark.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - A dismal part of American history happened right here in the Mid-South, and it often goes forgotten.

One local museum’s goal is to teach that history. In Marion, Arkansas, you’ll find the Sultana Disaster Museum.

On Thursday, we got a preview of the museum’s new home that’s been years in the making. It brought new life to the old Marion School Gymnasium and Auditorium.

The Sultana Disaster is the worst maritime disaster in American history. An overcrowded steamboat exploded in 1865 and eventually sank in the Mississippi River near the Arkansas banks.

It is largely overshadowed by another great American tragedy in 1865. The sinking happened a week after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

The museum executive director says the Marion community takes pride in looking after this history.

“We’re the closest large city to it, but also there a number of people who live here in the community that have lived in the community their entire lives who have a familiar connection to the story, and really I think this is something the whole town I think takes a lot of pride in, and they’re excited that we’re here and we’re going to be part of the larger business community. Hopefully folks from all over the world come see us and go visit all the other shops and restaurants too,” said Jeff Kollath, Executive Director of Sultana Disaster Museum.

The director says descendants of victims from the disaster will get a special preview tomorrow before the museum opens up to everyone on Saturday.

Click here to sign up for our newsletter!

Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. Please include the headline.