From the inside cover of Andrew’s Arkansas People book, “During 1986, as Arkansans celebrated their Sesquicentennial, Andrew Kilgore celebrated Arkansans. Traveling to several events throughout the state, Kilgore set up his portable studio and invited any and all to sit for his camera. The resulting collection of photographs reflects both Arkansas’ complexity and Kilgore’s unique talent in portraiture.

Kilgore visited sixteen Sesquicentennial celebrations, but the portraits within these pages reflect an even broader cross-section. Arkansans aged two to ninety-seven from thirty-two towns are represented. You’ll see cart loaders and cheerleaders, legislators and teachers. Kilgore records faces reflecting joy or sorrow, trial or triumph. In short, faces that reflect Arkansas in all its compelling diversity.

While Kilgore photographed, his assistants, Anne Holcomb and Somers Schulte, collected information and comments. The comments, edited by Meg Kilgore, offer additional insights into what is important to Arkansans of 1986 and what they would wish for Arkansans of the state’s Bicentennial in 2036.”