Fidelity Bank fulfills Sultana Disaster Museum pledge

$100,000 in funding a part of ongoing commitment to the community

From TRACY BRICK

SHPS Project Director

Fidelity Bank takes great pride in being a locally owned hometown bank. Since 1966 Fidelity Bank has been, and will continue to be committed to the growth of Crittenden County and the surrounding area.

In 2020, Fidelity Bank committed a $100,000 fiveyear pledge to the Sultana Disaster Museum further demonstrating the Bank’s devotion to the progress of our community. This month, the Fidelity Bank owners fulfilled the pledge to the Sultana campaign four years sooner than expected. The support and belief in the Sultana Disaster Museum are great examples of how grateful Fidelity Bank is to the community for allowing them to thrive as Crittenden County’s longest standing locally owned bank.

The Sultana Steamboat explosion of 1865, in which 1,200 people died, is the “Greatest Maritime Disaster in United States History.” While many people have never heard of the tragedy, a small group in Marion, Arkansas, close to the site of the disaster, formed the Sultana Historical Preservation Society and opened a modest museum in 2015. The Society is now planning a multi-million- dollar new Sultana Disaster Museum, designed by Haizlip Studio of Memphis, to be located in the center of the City of Marion.

See PLEDGE, page A3

Fidelity Bank finished its pledge to the Sultana Disaster Museum. The donation was set to help develop the museum dedicated to the Civil War era shipwreck on the river at Marion. Pictured left to right, Tracy Brick, Chamber President and SHPS Project Director; William Carlson, Fidelity Bank Chairman of the Board Directors; Kirby Carlson, Fidelity Bank Executive Vice President; Mike Carlson, Fidelity Bank Board of Directors.

Photo courtesy of SHPS PLEDGE

From page A1

The proposed Sultana Disaster Museum will commemorate and honor those who experienced “The Greatest Maritime Disaster in US History.” The story of the Sultana has a national appeal, and the museum was forecasted to bring in 50,000 annual visitors to Marion. Through the generous support of Fidelity Bank, the goal of a _rst-class museum will soon come to fruition.

The Fidelity Museum Store will be located in the lobby of the museum. The store will feature art and crafts from Artisans throughout the Delta. The Fidelity Museum Store will serve the community as an upscale shopping destination and a venue for art related events.

As the banking world continues to advance, count on Fidelity to keep the focus where it belongs – on the community, and most importantly on the customer. Fidelity is stronger than ever, with _ve locations and assets just under $500 million. Fidelity Bank is very grateful for the Fidelity family.

For more information contact Tracy Brick, Sultana Disaster Museum Project Director, at 870-739-6041 or tracy.brick@marionarkan sas.org, or visit www.sultana disastermuseum.com.