U.S. Marshals Museum Announces $1 Million Contribution from Pendergraft Family

Will Name “Why Marshals?” Theater in Honor of the Late Ross Pendergraft of Fort Smith

Proposed U.S. Marshals Museum
U.S. Marshals Museum
U.S. Marshals Museum
U.S. Marshals Museum

Fort Smith, AR -(AmmoLand.com)- This week, the U.S. Marshals Museum announced it will receive a $1,000,000 contribution from Mrs. Donnie Pendergraft and family in honor of her late husband, Mr. Ross Pendergraft.

The contribution will be used to build the Ross Pendergraft What We Stand For: “Why Marshals?” Theater, a permanent exhibit in the future museum’s Marshals Today gallery.

“Words cannot express our gratitude for the Pendergraft family and their generous support of the U.S. Marshals Museum,” said Jim Dunn, president and CEO of the U.S. Marshals Museum. “We’re honored to name the ‘Why Marshals?’ Theater in honor of Mr. Ross Pendergraft, and we look forward to carrying on his legacy of giving back to the Fort Smith community.”

The “Why Marshals?” Theater will serve as an orientation to the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Marshals Museum. The formal, enclosed theater will share the U.S. Marshals Service motto of Justice, Integrity and Service by highlighting the history of the agency and its connection to Fort Smith. The eight-to-twelve minute show will be projected onto the theater’s three large screens, providing a visually complex and unique cinematic experience. The theater will be controlled with a master lighting system, including a dimmer and programmable show control.

“We commend the entire Fort Smith community for their enthusiasm and support of the U.S. Marshals Museum,” said Neal Pendergraft, son of Mrs. Donnie Pendergraft. “We know this project would be so important to Ross. We hope our gift will encourage others to contribute and make this museum a reality.”

 About the U.S. Marshals Museum:

The future U.S. Marshals Museum will be a national museum located on the riverfront in Fort Smith, Ark. Museum plans include three permanent exhibit galleries, a temporary exhibit gallery, the Samuel M. Sicard Hall of Honor and a National Learning Center. The museum will tell the more than 225 year story of the U.S. Marshals Service, the oldest law enforcement agency in the United States, and honor the sacrifice of marshals killed in the line of duty.

For more information, visit www.USMarshalsMuseum.org.