Frequently Asked Questions:
- Who is Helen Spence? Helen Spence (1912-1934) is a historical figure from Arkansas's Lower White River houseboat culture. A beautiful, beloved and talented teenager, she avenged her father's death only to face cruel and unusual punishment. Helen Spence's murder at the hands of corrupt prison officials was reported widely in the New York Times, Washington Post, and other news organizations, yet she was forgotten by all but the River People. This project will correct the record of her courageous life and unjust death.
- Who are the River People? The River People of the Arkansas Delta are a little-known houseboat culture that thrived for more than a century, until federal dam projects caused the eviction of houseboat communities from the Lower White River. Called "River Rats" by outsiders to this very day, the history of the River People deserves a place in the American lexicon.