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Historic Dyess Colony:  Johnny Cash Boyhood Home

110 Center Drive
Dyess, AR 72330
870-764-CASH (2274)

Penny Toombs, Director

Penny is Director of two Arkansas State University Heritage Sites, Historic Dyess Colony: Johnny Cash Boyhood Home and Southern Tenant Farmers Museum. She is responsible for development and implementation of educational programming, community outreach, and ensuring policies and procedures are followed in accordance with the goals and strategies set for both museums.

Daniel Cottingham, Administrative Specialist

Daniel is a Dyess, Arkansas native.  He is responsible for the day-to-day care of the museum and its artifacts, assisting with special events and concerts, and caring for the Cash House and Archives facilities.  He also is a tour guide for the museum and enjoys meeting the variety of people who visit.  Daniel also gives tours at the Southern Tenant Farmers Museum in Tyronza, Arkansas.  

Dr. Renee Pinkston, Museum Exhibit Program Specialist

Renee is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the museum facilities and buildings as well as exhibits.  She received her B.A. in Anthropology and Archaeology and her M.A. in Folk Studies from Western Kentucky University.  She received her Ph.D. in Heritage Studies from Arkansas State University.  She also gives tours at both Johnny Cash Boyhood Home and Southern Tenant Farmers Museum, assists with special events and concerts, helps coordinate social media posts, and manages essential paperwork for operation.

Shelby Dodson, Special Events Supervisor 

Shelby manages the gift shop, keeps up with inventories, assists with special events and concerts, and performs other administrative tasks for the museum.  Her grandfather, Bobby Harris, was born and raised in Dyess, Arkansas.  Shelby is also responsible for the daily care of the Southern Tenant Farmers Museum where she gives tours each week, and helps with community outreach programs.

Arkansas State University Heritage Sites

Dr. Adam Long, Executive Director, A-State Heritage Sites

Adam is Executive Director of Arkansas State University Heritage Sites, which includes overall responsibilities for policies and programs at the Southern Tenant Farmers Museum in Tyronza, Lakeport Plantation in Lake Village, the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center in Piggott, and the Historic Dyess Colony:  Johnny Cash Boyhood Home in Dyess.