15 Jul 2026 An evening with a famous author

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansans with an interest in Civil War history and storytelling came together June 4 at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History in Little Rock for an evening honoring the life and work of author, artist and historian Ronnie A. Nichols.

He is one of the foremost authorities on America’s Civil War and the important role that soldiers of African descent played in it. A novelist and Civil War artist, Nichols uses his work to explore history, identity, service and remembrance. The event highlighted the importance of preserving personal and cultural history through written narrative, visual art and community conservation. The evening featured a fireside chat, hosted by Essence Magazine Editor Mikki Taylor, and an exclusive book signing with Nichols.

His work has been featured in U.S. News and World Report, the Civil War Times and other publications. He also contributed his historical expertise to the set as a technical advisor on the Academy Award-winning film “Glory,” starring Denzel Washington.

Nichols is a native of Little Rock and a graduate of Central High School and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He holds a master’s in fine arts from Otis Arts Institute of Los Angeles. He has also served as director of audience development at the Arkansas Arts Center and was hired by President Bill Clinton as the director of the Delta Cultural Center at Helena.

In 2014, Nichols curated the exhibition “Freedom! Oh Freedom! Arkansas People of African Descent and the Civil War: 1861-1866” at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock. This exhibit encompassed artifacts from national parks, local museums and Nichols’ personal collection to tell the story and illustrate the importance of African-American participation in the Civil War locally.