Darby House: Building a Better Community Together!

The Darby House, located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, is the historic home of Brigadier General

William O. Darby, founder of the modern U.S. Army Rangers and a central figure in the

liberation of Italy during World War II. Operated as a public nonprofit, the Darby House

serves as a museum, cultural center, and international bridge linking the American home

front to European communities shaped by shared sacrifice.  It also functions as a

formal nonprofit organization fully aligned with IRS 501(c)(3) public

charity standards.

ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION (501(c)(3) COMPLIANT)

Mission:

To Preserve Maintain the Historic Home of General William O. Darby; operate it as a

public museum; and promote community partnerships, military history, art, humanities,

and culture for the benefit of the general public.

The Darby House is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, and

historical purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. No part of the

organization’s net earnings benefit any private individual or entity.

Your contribution can make a big difference. Donate today to help support our mission become successful.

The Darby House preserves an irreplaceable site of national and international importance.

As veterans age and first-hand witnesses pass, there is an urgent need to preserve physical

spaces, oral histories, and cultural memory related to World War II and the founding of the

U.S. Army Rangers.

Without sustained public investment:

• Historic structures deteriorate

• Educational access diminishes

• International historical memory fades

• Opportunities for cross-cultural understanding are lost

PROGRAMMATIC PRIORITIES (MISSION-ALIGNED)

1. HISTORIC PRESERVATION (IMLS / DoD)

• Structural preservation of the Darby House

• Artifact conservation and archival storage

• Digital preservation of documents and photographs

2. HUMANITIES & EDUCATION (NEH / State Humanities Councils)

• Public lectures, panels, and symposia

• K–12 and higher-education curriculum development

• Oral history and ethical leadership programming

3. FUTURE MUSEUM & PUBLIC ACCESS (IMLS)

• Permanent and rotating exhibits

• Accessibility improvements

• Interpretive signage and multimedia storytelling

4. ARTS & CULTURE

• Artist-in-residence programs and/or student artists

• Veteran and civilian art exhibitions

• Music, literature, and storytelling events

INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC & CULTURAL EXCHANGE (EUROPE FOCUS)

The Darby House serves as a cultural bridge between Fort Smith, Arkansas and significant communities all across Europe following the Darby House Mission.

International programming includes:

• Sister-city educational exchanges 

   Fort Smith AR and sister-cities Cisterna di Latina and Nago-Torbole.

• Joint museum exhibits with Italian partners

• Student and scholar exchanges opportunities explored

• Commemorative events honoring shared history (Darby Challenge in Nago-Torbole)

• Translation and preservation of Italian and American archival materials

• Digital Media, Film and Documentaries

This work reinforces democratic values, transatlantic cooperation, and shared cultural

heritage forged during World War II.

CASE FOR SUPPORT

An investment in the Darby House is an investment in:

• Historic preservation

• Civic education

• Veteran recognition

• International diplomacy

• Cultural understanding

Donor and grant support enables:

• Free or low-cost public access

• Ethical stewardship of history

• Nonpartisan, educational programming

• Long-term institutional sustainability

PUBLIC BENEFIT & COMPLIANCE

All programs:

• Serve the general public

• Advance educational and charitable purposes

• Are nonpartisan and nonpolitical

• Comply with IRS public charity standards

• Are governed by an independent board

No lobbying or political campaigning is conducted.

The Darby House is more than a historic structure—it is a living institution that preserves

the past while educating future generations and strengthening international bonds. Public

and philanthropic support ensures that this legacy continues to serve communities in the

United States and Europe for decades to come.