Gravette Historical Museum

Amos Eraster Kindley married Mary Elizabeth “Molly” Cliburn in 1895. In 1898 they moved to Gravette where he was involved in the organization of the Bank of Gravett that remains in operation today. As a citizen, Mr. Kindley was director of the bank and its cashier. He also served as the city treasurer. Prior to moving to Gravette, Mr. Kindley was Justice of the Peace of Batie Township 1892 and in 1894 he was elected to the office of assessor of Benton County where he served two terms. Mrs. Kindley assumed the position of Director of the Bank of Gravett after his death in 1915. She continued to live in the house until 1938 just prior to her death in 1940.

The Kindley house was also home of Field Eugene Kindley, nephew of A. E. Kindley. Field’s mother died when he as an infant and his father accepted an overseas assignment. At age 12 Field came to Gravette where he lived with his uncle’s family while he attended school. During his employment at Coffeyville, Kansas, Field was admitted into the military on May 15, 1917. On September 18, he sailed to England for training and in May 1918, he went to France where he served with the British Royal Air Force. On February 25, 1919, Kindley was promoted to Captain and assigned as Flight Commander in the 148th squadron. During this service he destroyed 12 enemy planes and became the fourth ranking World War I Aviation Ace.

His accomplishments resulted in his receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross from the British government, the Distinguished Service Cross and Bronze Oak Leaf from the United States.

After his active duty, Kindley was sent to Kelley Air Force Base in Texas. While stationed there, he was killed February 1, 1920 in a plane crash near San Antonio. Captain Kindley’s body was returned to Gravette where his funeral service was conducted on the Kindley house grounds. After the service, he was escorted through Gravette by a military color guard and laid to rest in the Gravette Hillcrest Cemetery. In addition to the military honors given him, the Kindley Air Force in Bermuda, the Kindley School in Coffeyville and the Captain Field E. Kindley Memorial Park in Gravette were dedicated in his memory.

The Gravette Historical Museum was chartered in June 1995 when the city council adopted ordinance number 95-13. The concept began in 1993 with the Gravette Centennial Celebration. A group of citizens built a diorama of scenes from the towns past for display on Gravette Day that year. The event initiated the idea of a museum to record and display our history. In 1995 the city also provided one room in a downtown building (approximately 700 square feet) to house the museum. This facility was operated and maintained by volunteers. As more donations were received and new exhibits added, more area was required. A second room was added and extensively remodeled by the volunteer staff. In 1999 the City funded a part-time employee and in September purchased the historic Kindley House to house the museum. The Kindley House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 28, 1988.

The Kindley House was purchased with one-half of the cost paid by the City and Gravette Historical Museum Commission and one-half with no interest loans from private citizens. Within a year, the City and the Commission reimbursed the private citizens for their investment.

In the final accounting, the city provided sixty-percent of the purchase price and the Museum Commission provided the remaining balance through donations and fund-raising events.

After 100 years, the house has basic needs to correct deficiencies and preserve it for another century. In addition to the deficiencies, there have been repairs and remodeling that require rework.

The Kindley House is adjacent to the city library, civic center and swimming pool. This complex is near downtown, the school campus and two high-traffic parks. Work was performed to evaluate the needs of the property and to determine its role in the city complex.

The original planning for integrating the Kindley House/Museum into the neighborhood has evolved through joint efforts of the Library Commission, Parks and Recreation Committee, the 2010 Visioning Project, the Mayor and City Council. At this time, Gravette is developing plans for a new community center and pool to be added to the complex. For the Kindley House to remain a significant element in the planned new and expanded city complex, it must receive needed improvements and preservation.

To this end, the Museum Commission had obtained an architectural evaluation of the house, a survey of the property and a landscape architects plan for the grounds.

The architects recommendations for renovation of the Kindley House included foundation repairs, floor repair, wall repair, interior trim work replacement, upgraded mechanical systems, masonry repair, door and window repair and interior and exterior cosmetic repairs.

These repairs and renovations were accomplished through a matching grant from the Arkansas Historical Preservation Society in 2003. Supplemented with donations from the city and hundreds of volunteer hours by several Gravette area citizens the Historic Kindley House Museum and grounds have become a focal point in the heart of the city.

With continued attention and the diligent efforts of the city, its citizens and the commission, the site will become a more valuable asset to the city and an integral part of community events

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