The QQA Chronicle: September 2025

Published August 8, 2025

The Chronicle

September 2025

In this addition;

Tour of Homes recap
Summer Supper Series
Updates from St. Joseph’s
Charles Witsell Jr. Memorial
Upcoming events

Historic preservation is more than saving old buildings; it is a means of revitalizing neighborhoods, containing urban sprawl and returning life to historic places.

City Director Virgil Miller Jr. with QQA Members Diane Thomas and Scott Holladay

60th Tour of Homes Recap

This year we welcomed over 700 people into the heart of Little Rock. Featuring MacArthur Park Historic District, the city’s oldest established historic district, we saw examples of phenomenal restoration work, interesting infill projects, and a thriving community. For this year’s tour we went big for our 60th Anniversary and featured 11 unique properties, 2 museums, 6 local restaurants, and one of the oldest breweries downtown. You can find photos of the tour on our Facebook page here!

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS, SPONSORS, AND HOMEOWNERS who made this year’s tour unforgettable!

Rep. Denise Ennett chats with QQA Members Amber Jones and Alex Wilson

60th Spring Tour of Homes guests entering the ca. 1878 Johnson House located at 507 East 7th St.

Advocacy

On March 9th, the newly restored St. Joseph’s Orphanage caught fire and suffered extensive damage.

The QQA contacted the Diocese to offer our assistance in their restoration project. Sadly, the Diocese quickly made the decision that the building was beyond repair, and decided to demolish St. Joseph’s Orphanage. This historic building and its surrounding grounds has been home to the St. Joseph’s Farmstead since 2010.

When news of the demolition was heard by the QQA, we quickly took action to advocate for a last stand effort of façade preservation. Here in Little Rock, a notable example of facade preservation includes the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts which successfully incorporated preserved facades into the new, contemporary construction, resulting in aesthetically compelling and historically respectful outcomes.

The diocese has communicated that preserving the entirety of the façade is simply not a realistic option for them.

Despite this, there is a possibility of certain elements such as the capital columns, archway stone pieces, some of the lower stones at the base, and some of the orange bricks on the upper floors to be preserved for future use. We appreciate the communication from the team St. Josephs of their plans.

Postcard of St. Joseph’s Orphanage post card courtesy of the St. Joseph (the Old Orphanage) of North Little Rock, Ar. Facebook Page

Education

The QQA hosted a Preservation Conversation focused on the MacArthur Park and Historic District Guidelines with Hannah Ratzlaff of the Little Rock planning department on April 22 at The Paint Factory. This event was well attended and the topic was right in line with our 60th Tour of Homes. The Conversation allowed homeowners and renters alike to ask questions and discuss the benefits and downfalls of a Historic District Guideline system.

Next up we paid a visit to the new Arkansas Civics Education Center in the Justice Building on the State Capitol campus with our July 22 Preservation Conversation. They gave us a tour of the new extension, the groovy 1970s supreme courtroom, and the Scipio A. Jones Courtroom.

Our next Preservation Conversation will take place on Tuesday, October 28 at the Federal Reserve Bank Building, now home to eStem elementary. With special participation from eStem students, this event will explore the layered history of one of downtown Little Rock’s most striking civic buildings.

The conversation will highlight the importance of adaptive reuse, the power of place, and the stories that emerge when preservation meets education.

Preservation Conversation attendees at the Arkansas Civic Education Center, July 22nd 2025.

Development

The Development committee has been hard at work scheduling events for the rest of 2025 while searching for a new person to fill the Development Committee Chair position.

We hosted our first Summer Supper of the season with a 1920's themed dinner at the house of Kate and Tom Schranz. Gatsby on Gaines featured pre-prohibition cocktails that were enjoyed on the porch of the historic W. C. Foster House as ‘20s jazz filled the summer evening air.

Our second Supper of the season, Summer in Versailles was hosted in part by the brand new Cafe Plain Jane in Hillcrest. Special thanks to Helen Grace King for opening her home to the organization, as well as Leila King and Kamiya Merrick for being such a wonderful team to work with.

Our third Supper of the year was hosted across the river in the Argenta neighborhood of North Little Rock. We partnered with Erika Gee of Ease Supper Club and did a one night take over of the E. O. Manees House. Erika provided a mouthwatering menu of chilled summer dishes for Hot Summer | Cold Supper.

Our final Summer Supper, Welcome to Camp Piedmont, is entirely sold out. Thank you to our hosts Jim Pfeifer, Dr. Robynn Zinser, Dr. Wade & Mary Starr Brock, as well as Capi Peck for creating a special event. We can’t wait!

Winners of the Gatsby on Gaines costume contest

QQA Youth Corp

This summer, the Quapaw Quarter Association Youth Corps has been busy with our monthly meetings and volunteering at the Arkansas Food Bank for the Summer Cereal Drive. We've helped pack, sort, and load cereals and breakfast foods for distribution to families across the state.

QQA Youth corp poses with Miss AR and Miss AR Teen at the cereal drive

L-R: Valeria Resendiz, Christopher Khan, Elijah Morris, (Miss Arkansas, Kennedy Holland), Morgan Harrison, Jordan Anderson, and (Miss Arkansas Teen, Amelia Lisowe)

In memorial of Charles Witsell, Jr.

It is with great sympathy to Becky Witsell and surviving family members that we pass our condolences. Charles Witsell, Jr. is a name recognized by many in Little Rock’s preservation world and beyond. Many buildings around our city would no longer be standing, if not for the work and dedication of Charles Witsell and the firm of architects and preservationists that he inspired. Witsell worked on more than 200 National Register buildings and dozens of others in his 30-plus year career. He purchased and restored five historic homes in the Quapaw Quarter neighborhood of Little Rock, most notably the Frederick Hanger House at 1010 Scott St.

Charles Witsell provided his expertise, knowledge, and passion of preservation to an endless amount of QQA projects-imparting a lasting legacy that can be seen across the city.

Charles believed firmly in public service and advocacy. He volunteered on many boards and commissions, including those overseeing the Historic Arkansas Museum, Old State House, Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas, Quapaw Quarter Association, Governor's Mansion Association, Little Rock Historic District Commission, and the Mayor's Task Force on Historic Preservation.

Amongst his many achievements, we commend Charles Witsell, Jr. as a man who cared deeply about the preservation of Little Rock’s culture and history.

Want to know more about our committees?

The QQA relies on an amazing Board of Directors, volunteers, and committee members to plan events, executive fundraisers, and advocate for the greater Little Rock area.

Fill out a board/committee interest form here.