Title: Joy Pratt Markham’s Philanthropy and Will - Part 2 of 2

Fayetteville benefited from Joy Pratt Markham’s philanthropy while she was alive and is still benefitting from her generosity after her death in 1976. This weekly summarizes the main points of Mrs. Markham's will. What did she want done with the money and land she donated to the University of Arkansas?

** Part 2: Excerpts from Mrs. Markham’s Will **

“I, Joy Pratt Markham, … do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, …
…
THIRD
I hereby give, devise and bequeath to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Arkansas, all of my real estate situated in Washington County, Arkansas, including but not limited to, that inherited from my father’s estate in which I own an undivided one-half interest with my sister, Evangeline Archer, but excluding the Sidwell property which is disposed of under paragraph FOURTH of this Will, for the following purposes:

A. The establishment and operation of a summer camp for deserving children, both boys and girls, where such children may have an opportunity for camping experience including such activities as camping, hiking, swimming, horseback riding and other sports, arts, handicrafts and nature study. It is my intention that in the operation of the program, the University of Arkansas will utilize the camp as training ground for students and faculty in camp management and operation, in teaching, counseling and training children, and in providing the various activities, services and care for children attending the camp. It is my will that the children attending the camp be permitted to attend with as little cost or expense to themselves and their families as possible, with particular consideration in the selection of the children being given to the children of needy families, …

B. The establishment and operation of a nature preserve for use by the University of Arkansas as a training ground for faculty and students in such fields as botany, zoology, biology, environmental protection, forestry and other related fields; and for the use and enjoyment of the general public upon such reasonable terms and conditions as shall be from time to time prescribed by the University of Arkansas.

C. The preservation of my home for historical and architectural purposes, it being my intention that it be devoted to said purposes and to such other uses as the University of Arkansas determines to be consistent with said purposes, including but not limited to a museum, an art gallery, visitors center and headquarters for the camp and nature preserve heretofore provided for in this Will. As my intent is preservation of the home for historical and architectural purposes, I also bequeath to the University of Arkansas for use in said house such of my household furnishings, pictures, paintings, appliances, dishes, linens and other household goods as the University of Arkansas shall designate to retain in the home, excepting the items heretofore bequeathed to my grandnieces under paragraph SECOND of this Will. …

FOURTH
I hereby give, devise and bequeath all the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, whether the same be real, personal or mixed, of whatsoever kind or character and wheresoever situated … to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Arkansas, for the following uses and purposes:

A. Three-Fourths of my said estate shall be utilized to establish a fund for construction, furnishing and equipping a proposed auditorium to be used by the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, such fund to be invested and reinvested … In the event the University of Arkansas determines that said auditorium should be constructed and used in cooperation with some other public body or agency, such as the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas, the University of Arkansas shall be fully empowered to utilize and expend the fund hereby established for said cooperative undertaking. … [Walton Arts Center?]

B. One-fourth of my estate shall be used and applied in the restoration of the building known as “Old Main” at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Campus, provided …”

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