Piano, Player - Orval Faubus Family
Object number2011.031.01
Mediumwood, metal
Dimensions43 5/16 x 60 3/4 x 27 3/4 in. (110 x 154.3 x 70.5 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum collection
DescriptionPlayer piano (Model Hardman Duo) owned by the Orval Faubus family. The piano was in the Arkansas Governor's Mansion during Faubus years as governor. In 1955 President Harry S. Truman who played "Missouri Waltz" on it. It was also played by actress, Irene Ryan who played Granny on the television show, The Beverly Hillbillies. The piano was made by Hardman, Peck & Co.Orval Eugene Faubus was born on January 7, 1910 in Madison County. Faubus married Alta Haskins in 1931, they had one son. In 1938, Faubus was elected circuit clerk and recorder of Madison County. After WWII, Faubus was rewarded with an appointment to the state highway commission and later worked in the governor’s office as an administrative assistant. In 1955, he defeated Pratt Remmel for the governorship becoming the thirty-sixth governor of Arkansas. While in office Faubus improved public education including pay increases for teachers, began an overhaul of the State Hospital for the mentally ill, built the Arkansas Children’s Colony, expanded state parks, and paved hundreds of miles of highway. He left office in 1967. Faubus died on December 14, 1994.
Status
Not on view
