Tyronza museum to honor Handcox

The Southern Tenant Farmers Museum in Tyronza will be the location of an interpretive marker honoring songwriter John L. Handcox on the new Arkansas Delta Music Trail: Sounds from the Soil & Soul. The marker will be unveiled on the lawn of the museum at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11.

The John L. Handcox marker recognizes his music contributions as singer, songwriter and poet for the Southern Tenant Farmers Union establishing him as the voice for poor cotton farmers during the Great

Depression. Having lived the hard life of a sharecropper, Handcox' work documents the issues that drove to unionization of tenant farmers in the South and Southwest during the 1930s.

After the unveiling on the lawn, entertainment will be provided by area musicians Don McGregor and Steve Lockwood, featuring songs written by Handcox.

The museum also will host its Christmas Open House from 1 - 6 pm on the same day. Visitors are invited to tour the Southern Tenant Farmers Museum and enjoy refreshments.