THE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION OF EAST ARKANSAS, MAKING A WORLD FOR OUR COMMUNITY

     The Anna Strong/E.C. Burnett Historical Museum opened on May 23, 2026 on the campus of the Anna Strong Learning Academy in Marianna, Arkansas.  The museum is named in honor of long-time principal and educator Anna M.P. Strong and Industrial Arts teacher Elmer C. Burnett.  Mr. Burnett actually taught his shop classes in the building in which the museum is located.

     The Improvement Association's purpose in opening the museum is to preserve and share historical information about Lee County and the surrounding areas.  Some much of black history has been discarded or abandoned which will eventually lead to forgetting that history.  Have one central place to collect, catalogue, preserve and share that history will, hopefully, assure that it is available to future generations.