TEXARKANA, Texas -- While the Ace of Clubs House remains closed amid renovations, a local resident has issued a challenge to community members.
Texarkana Museums Systems recently announced that an anonymous donor has provided $50,000 to be used for a dollar-for-dollar matching grant to continue renovations at the downtown house, according to a release from the Texarkana Museums System.
The matching has started and will continue through Dec. 31.
"Some people feel that their donation won't make a difference unless it is a large donation, but every dollar counts, and now your donation can double as a result of this generous match," Texarkana Museums Executive Director Emily Tarr said.
The Ace of Clubs is covered in scaffolding, has a new roof, and the plaster crew is hard at work. During the summer, plastic sheets surrounding the cupola were removed and new frames and windows were installed.
"This is a massive project," Tarr said. "We need the community to get behind this match and help save our history,"
Renovations to the exterior will take a year, after which interior remodeling will start. With such extensive work planned, the museum has yet to set a reopening date.
The house, which is owned by the Museums System, is at 420 Pine St. It is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The house is built in the shape of a club on a deck of cards.
"Although the home was built on the Texas side, it has lots of Arkansas history," Tarr said.
The Museum of Regional History is open and available for tours. Hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The museum is closed on Monday.
For information, call the museum at 903-793-4813.