Our Mission
The aim of The Sanctuary at Rocking Chair Ranch would be to protect the habitats of native plants and animals while cultivating a place for people to encounter peace and connect more deeply with God through communion with the natural world.
The Property
Nestled in the heart of Tontitown, Arkansas, just five miles northwest of Fayetteville, the Rocking Chair Ranch property is 45-acres of predominantly woodland and savanna habitats. The property also includes a spacious house overlooking the hills of Tontitown, a five-car garage, a storage barn and spring-fed Arbor Acres Lake, a fertile part of the Illinois River Watershed.
Easily recognizable by the large, white bull statue on the side of South Barrington Road, the original property was 100-acres owned by Jerry and Betty Hinshaw. For decades the land was used as a horse and cattle ranch called Rocking Chair Ranch. In 2022, the last of the cattle were relocated when Mrs. Hinshaw generously donated 25-acres of pasture to the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust to become the Betty Hinshaw Bird Sanctuary.
This selfless act of love which both protected native bird habitats and opened up the property to further public enjoyment has inspired The Sanctuary Project to follow in the footsteps of its former owners, by providing a place of respite for both people and native wildlife in the heart of a rapidly developing area.
Jerry (1917-2003) was a successful poultry manager and cattle rancher who was elected five times to the Arkansas House of Representatives. He served on the Washington County Quorum Court and was a past president of the Arkansas Poultry Association, the Arkansas Cattlemen's Association, the Arkansas Cattlemen's Foundation and the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association. He was a World War II veteran and a founder of the Tontitown Area Volunteer Fire Department.
The Hinshaw Legacy
Betty (1925-2024) raised four children on the ranch and was an avid birder and environmental conservationist. She dedicated much of her time to supporting local art and community initiatives, such as the Shiloh Museum and the Washington County Fair, where she served on the board for many years and established the photography division. Throughout their lives, Jerry and Betty were key members of the Tontitown and Springdale communities.
Interest of the Heirs
The Hinshaw family is interested in selling the property to an organization that would continue the natural and community legacy of Betty and Jerry. This could be done through the sale of the property to an existing organization or the creation of a new non-profit organization that would purchase and manage the property, funded through donations.
