Chance Tharp Leads Historic Arkansas Museum Foundation
The corporate banker presides over the board as the museum prepares for its upcoming biennial Candlelight Gala.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Chance Tharp, director of corporate banking at Farmer's Bank & Trust, currently serves as the president of the Historic Arkansas Museum Foundation board of directors. The organization is now finalizing preparations for its biennial Candlelight Gala, scheduled to take place at the museum in Little Rock this November.
Why it matters
The foundation manages critical financial resources that provide essential transportation for student field trips to the museum. By hosting high-profile fundraising events, the board ensures the institution maintains its mission of historic education and preservation for the community.
The gala dinner features individual tickets priced at $200 and begins at 6 p.m. under tents located at the museum site at 200 E. Third St.
The players
Chance Tharp
He is the director of corporate banking at Farmer's Bank & Trust and currently serves as the president of the museum board.
Historic Arkansas Museum
Located in Little Rock, this institution preserves state history and artifacts dating back to its establishment in 1939.
Louise Loughborough
She was the historic founder who established the Arkansas Territorial Restoration in 1939.
The details
The board selected the museum's parking lot as the gala venue to provide a stable, hard surface capable of accommodating a larger tent structure. This space serves as the primary hub for the foundation, which has supported the preservation of artifacts like the Plum Bayou Log House since it arrived on the grounds in 1976.
Timeline
1939: Louise Loughborough establishes the Arkansas Territorial Restoration.
1941: The museum officially opens to the public.
1976: The Plum Bayou Log House is moved to the museum grounds.
2020: Chance Tharp begins his first term on the museum board.
November 7, 2026: The Historic Arkansas Museum hosts the Candlelight Gala.
Market Landscape
The foundation's current operations follow the long-term preservation mandate established by the 1939 founding of the Arkansas Territorial Restoration. This event reflects a broader trend of local non-profits leveraging gala fundraising to sustain institutional independence in competitive philanthropic markets.
Local supporters can participate in the foundation's mission by purchasing $200 tickets for the upcoming gala dinner. These contributions directly fund transportation costs for school field trips, impacting how local students access educational programming at the museum.
The takeaway
The foundation's reliance on large-scale events illustrates the importance of public-private partnerships in maintaining historic sites. Residents interested in local heritage can support these efforts by attending institutional fundraisers that bridge the gap for school transportation needs.
What happens next
Chance Tharp's term as board president is scheduled to conclude in December 2026.
Further reading
For more information on regional nonprofit initiatives, visit the Little Rock Philanthropy section.
More information
Find further event details on the Candlelight Gala ticket and information page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
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