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When Dr. J. O. Rush built his home at Forrest City in 1906, he included wide hallways and oversized doorways on the first floor.  He knew in advance that his residence would be accommodating emergency stretchers and hospital beds.  A century later, those spacious hallways are helpful in displaying artifacts in the St. Francis County Museum.

The placement of the home some 50 yards from the railroad tracks was no coincidence.  In addition to his family practice, Dr. Rush was a surgeon for the railroad, and his clinic became a convenient drop for injured workmen and ill passengers.  He also used the railway to reach other towns along or near the east-west tracks across the Delta.

The 7000-square-foot house remained in the Rush-Gates family until 1995, when it became county property.  With public support, private donations, labor, and planning, the structure was restored for about $150,000.  Original estimates had been as high as $500,000.  A $157,000 renovation was completed in 2005.  An elevator to the second floor was added to provide handicapped access.  A partial glassed-in area on the porch enhanced and enlarged the information/interpretative facilities.  And, a Crowley's Ridge Scenic Byways Resource Center was added.

Ghost hunters will be happy to know that a few odd and unexplainable happenings have been reported in the building since renovation.  According to news articles, objects have mysteriously "moved" from one place to another, secured doors have opened by themselves, and strange noises have been heard.  The Associated Press distributed the story in October 1999, just prior to the museum's very successful Halloween candlelight tour. 

The Arkansas Paranormal and Anomalous Studies Team (ARPAST) has made several trips to the museum and reported some unexplained voices on recordings.  A local group, Paranormal Research in Unknown Phenomenon (P.R.U.PH) has also conducted research.

Museum tours are available year round.  Large groups can be accommodated by calling ahead.  There are also several special events during the year, including some over "lock ins" and paranormal studies.