Preserving the Roots of Cotton Plant, AR
and the Delta Region.
The Cotton Plant Historical Museum was founded in 2014 and opened its doors to the Public Labor Day weekend, August 2014, which is also known as Cotton Plant Day Weekend. The Cotton Plant Historical Museum is a public 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The original purpose of the museum was to support and promote public interest, awareness, knowledge and education in the visual arts Cotton Plant and surrounding communities. With the development of collections or original works of art and present temporary exhibitions of art and culture. The museums physical doors closed to the public December 2019 and therefore the Museum changed its direction.
Today the Cotton Plant historical Museum is dedicated to preserving the history, culture and heritage of Cotton Plant, Arkansas and the surrounding Delta Region through visuals throughout the city of Cotton Plant, via social media and partnerships with like kind nonprofit organizations.
Our Founder
The Cotton Plant Historical Museum (CPHM) began with the visionary commitments of Angela Floyd Ryland, she and her Husband Willard chose to invest their money and time in the preservation of the History of Cotton Plant for the purpose of educating the public. Angela has worked as Executive Director to date as a volunteer. Angela graduated from Cotton Plant High School. She went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agronomy (the Study of Plants and Soils) from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She worked for USDA NRCS for Eighteen years. This is where Angela Volunteerism began in 1991 as an Earth Team Volunteer while living in Texarkana AR with no family or friends. Angela’s last nine years with USDA were in Management and Supervision where she managed five Conservation Programs. Angela is co-owner of Ryland Real estate and Associates that was founded in 2012 in Cotton Plant, Arkansas. Her business Motto is Restore, Revitalize and Rebuild our community. While Angela could have located her Real Estate Business in any city in the Great State of Arkansas, She Chose her hometown Cotton Plant, Arkansas, to do so, which is a testament to her love for her hometown. In 2016 Angela Founded the Cotton Plant Area Chamber of Commerce for the advancement of Small Businesses, such as her own as well as Economic Development for the Community. Angela was just recently voted President for Searcy Board of Realtors for 2027. Angela’s love for history in part is due from her great grandfather, Louis (Nancy)Floyd, that left a small farm, which is an Arkansas Century Farm, in woodruff County, to his great grandchildren. Angela being one of them. Proverbs 13:22 Says that a good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children. Angela says her great grandfather bestowed upon her the GIFTS OF LAND, LOVE, WORK, FAMILY, GRATITUDE AND DREAMS. Her Legacy from Her great grandfather is where her hard work and vision for the Cotton Plant Historical Museum (CPHM) and the Legacy of Sister Rosetta Tharpe stems from.
The youngest of 11 children born to farmers, Tucker learned the value of hard work and education from his parents and grandparents. And now, education is not only a career, it is also a family affair for the 53-hear-old and his wife, Janae, an elementary school teacher. The Tuckers are certainly living out the example before their own four children, as well as the thousands of other young people impacted by the couple’s calling to education.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Philander Smith College in 1988, Tucker continued his education at The Ohio State University, where he obtained a master’s degree in educational policy and leadership, as well as a Ph.D. in education with an emphasis in higher education, student affairs and communication.
Philander Smith College is one of the black colleges supported by the Black College Fund which provides financial support to maintain solid, challenging academic programs; strong faculties; and well-equipped facilities.
Currently, Dr. Tucker is Superintendent of Douglas County School District near Denver, Colorado. He began leading Colorado’s third largest public school system, with 68,000 students, in July 2018. Previously, he served three years as Superintendent of the Princeton City Schools in Cincinnati, Ohio.
In 2008 he became the first African American to be named Superintendent of Licking Heights Local School District. In his first year of leadership, he helped that district to earn its first ever “excellent rating” from the Ohio Department of Education.
In 2011, Tucker achieved another “first” as the first Black to be named Superintendent of the Worthington City School District in the Columbus, Ohio-area. .
Pictured Below is Roger Lacefield. He had a selfness Commitment to the CPHM. He consistently showed up with a big open heart as only he could. He volunteered for the Museum from the inception until he moved to Heber Springs to be closer to his Children. His support never wavered. Whether he was taken on major responsibilities or helping behind the scenes., he approached every task with enthusiasm and reliability. Below Mr. Lacefield is pictured with his prize Cotton he planted. Roger ( in his wife Gerry’s Voice) yielded more Cotton That year than any farmer in the county. We love and miss him. Also, Pictured is Katheron Palmer, who volunteered for a year as a museum attendant. Joann Miller, volunteered for a year and a half as Museum attendant as well. Usually where you saw one you saw the other, So The museum acquired a package deal of having both Ms. Palmer and Ms. Miller working a total of 2 days per week.
