Arkansas State Gets Grants for Dyess Colony, V.C. Kays Home

Arkansas State University recently received two grants totalling nearly $1 million from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council to be used as part of the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home project in Dyess and the renovation of the V.C. Kays House on the Jonesboro campus.

ANCRC awarded the university $200,000 for work on the Kays House and $750,000 to rebuild the Dyess Theatre for use as a visitor orientation and welcome center at the Cash Boyhood Home.

Ruth Hawkins, executive director of the Arkansas Heritage Sites program, applied for the grants, which are awarded annually to state agencies.

The V.C. Kays residence, one of the older structures on campus, was home to the university's first president and his wife, Bertie. Previous private donations have made way for cosmetic improvements, but this grant will allow for an extensive restoration that includes waterproofing basement walls, installing a drainage system and cleaning and repairing the tile roof, among other tasks.

Chancellor Tim Hudson said restoring the historic structure has been a project he's been involved in since arriving at the university.

"Along with our system president, Chuck Welch, and listening to faculty leaders, we worked together to turn the planned demolition of the home into a lasting part of our legacy," Hudson said in a news release.

Jeff Hankins, vice president for strategic communications and economic development, told Arkansas Business in an email that ideas for the V.C. Kays residence are still being discussed and no final decisions have been made.

"We have some opportunities related to our Arkansas heritage studies program, and we're considering ideas such as information displays for campus visitors," he said.

The Dyess Theatre begins phase two of the master plan for the Historic Dyess Colony: Boyhood Home of Johnny Cash project, which is led by the Arkansas Heritage Sites at Arkansas State University. Work to rebuild the theatre has already started.

More:Click here to view the Dyess Colony master plan (PDF).

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Arkansas State Gets Grants for Dyess Colony, V.C. Kays Home