SEARCY, Ark. — On a hot Arkansas summer day, most anyone would enjoy having their own place to go and relax, and enjoy a cozy, cool room. At the home of Don Sebourn in Searcy, there is a perfect spot that he calls his “man-cave.”
Sebourn is a builder and remodeler by trade. He designed his man-cave to have all the comforts one could want in a single space, surrounded by meaningful memorabilia, collected through his many family trips over the years.
Sebourn loves going to flea markets, discount stores, or antique shops, and frequently brings home something interesting to add to the already-covered walls and floor.
When his first child was born, he said that he wanted to take his family on a vacation each year — visiting a different state on each vacation.
“I decided when my kid, my first son was born, or my son was born, in '83 — I decided, you know what? I'm taking my kids somewhere every summer, no matter what," Sebourn said. "So, by the time [Sebourn's child] Hayley was 18, we'd hit all 48 states."
Sebourn has since been to Alaska, but said that Hawaii can wait.
Throughout the years, Sebourn's man-cave has become filled with myriad collections of memorabilia, old and new.
He’s particularly proud of two actual sleighs, both in great condition. One was featured on an album cover of a Christmas record by his favorite country music group, “The Statler Brothers”, while the other sleigh once belonged to his great-great-grandfather, Andrew Sebourn.
When Don bought the item from the homeowners who lived in his ancestor’s farmhouse, he said that it was in poor condition and had been sitting in a barn for decades. Slowly and carefully, he restored the Civil War era sleigh, replacing only the seat covers with material that matches the originals.
From marbles to beer cans, Razorback items to more than 100 coffee mugs, Sebourn has a lot to look at in his one-room man-cave.
Most often, though, you’ll find him sitting in one of the two chairs in the room. The other chair is for his wife, Beverly.
Sebourn describes himself as an early riser — waking up in the morning to enjoy a cup of coffee while sitting in his chair, with a room full of memories to keep him company.