An effort is officially underway to raise funds for a new museum in the heart of the Delta to commemorate one of the greatest maritime disasters in U.S. history, the tragic explosion of the Mississippi River steamship, the Sultana. The Sultana exploded and sank in the Mississippi River just East of Marion where the future museum is to be located. The vessel was carrying over 2,000 passengers, most Union prisoners returning North from Mississippi at the end of the Civil War. Nearly 1,200 passengers died as a result.
The plan includes a renovation of an on gymnasium building for the location of the museum, and the fundraising goal for the effort is $7.5 million.
More below:
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/apr/27/state-funds-heading-sultana-disaster-museum-projec/
https://armoneyandpolitics.com/fundraising-campaign-kicks-off-for-sultana-disaster-museum-in-marion/