Dumas, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has designated the city of Dumas as Arkansas’ Capital for a Day on August 19, 2025. This honor is part of the governor’s statewide initiative to highlight outstanding local communities and promote interaction between state leaders and the citizens they serve.
Located in the heart of the Arkansas Delta, Dumas holds a deep historical and cultural significance. The city was officially incorporated in 1904, named after William Dumas, a planter, merchant, and surveyor of French ancestry who purchased expansive farmland in the region. Since its founding, Dumas has played a crucial role in Arkansas’s agricultural development, especially during the boom of the cotton industry.
A City with History, Education, and Film Fame
Thanks to its strategic location along the Missouri Pacific Valley Line Railroad, Dumas rapidly became a local hub for agriculture and commerce. Today, it remains a symbol of southern resilience and growth, with several institutions that highlight its evolution.
Among them is the Desha County Museum, located just outside of town, where visitors can explore what daily life was like for a southern Arkansas farming family. Dumas is also home to the Delta Technology Education Center, a workforce training school that offers diverse programs in fields like agriculture, medicine, and business—showcasing the city’s forward-looking approach to education and employment.
Dumas has even found its way onto the big screen. In 2011, the critically acclaimed film Mud, starring Reese Witherspoon and Matthew McConaughey, was shot in and around the city, bringing national attention to its natural charm and cinematic appeal.
Governor’s Initiative Builds Connection with Communities
The “Capital for a Day” program reflects Governor Sanders’ mission to build closer ties between state government and local communities by temporarily relocating the state’s administrative focus to a different Arkansas city. Dumas will mark the sixteenth city to participate in this outreach campaign since Sanders took office.
“Governor Sanders’ ‘Capital for a Day’ program highlights great cities around Arkansas like Dumas and brings senior state government officials into town to meet with their local counterparts,” reads the official proclamation. During the day, state leaders will meet with local officials, community leaders, and residents to better understand their needs and successes.
Governor Sanders added her official signature to the proclamation on August 15, 2025, inviting senior state officials to join her in recognizing Dumas and its contributions to the state.
With this temporary honor, Dumas will not only serve as the symbolic seat of Arkansas government for a day, but will also enjoy well-deserved attention for its historic past, educational efforts, and role in shaping Arkansas’s future.
