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Museums
Arkansas overflows with opportunities to explore the South's history and culture. Numerous museums that highlight the region's rich heritage can be found throughout the state. Here we list some of the most well-recognized museums frequented by both visitors and residents alike.
Central Arkansas
Aerospace Education Center
Little Rock (501) 376-IMAX
www.aerospaced.org
The Aerospace Education Center offers a public library, permanent exhibits and an IMAX Theater.
Central High National Historic Site
Little Rock (501) 374-1957
http://home.swbell.net/chmuseum
In 1957, Little Rock made the national news when President Dwight Eisenhower dispatched federal troops to protect nine black high school students as they entered Central High School. Through photographs and newspaper clippings, the visitor center across the street from the school chronicles events surrounding that tumultuous period.
EMOBA, The Museum of Black Arkansans
Little Rock (501) 372-6093
http://it1.ualr.edu/emoba
EMOBA hosts changing exhibits and events that explore the African-American experience in Arkansas.
Historic Arkansas Museum
Little Rock (501) 324-9351
www.arkansashistory.com
The Historic Arkansas Museum features a 51,000-SF center with five galleries of Arkansas-made art and artifacts, in addition to an interactive children's gallery. While there, explore the city's oldest standing building, the Hinderliter Grog Shop and witness demonstrations by living history actors. Exhibits are free to the public. Guided tours of the grounds are offered daily.
MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History
Little Rock (501) 376-4602
www.arkmilitaryheritage.com
Located in the 1840 Tower Building of the Little Rock Arsenal, birthplace of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the museum commemorates the state's military history from the territorial period to the present.
Old State House Museum
Little Rock (501) 324-9685
www.oldstatehouse.com
Built in 1836, the Old State House is the oldest standing Capitol building west of the Mississippi River. The building now houses permanent exhibits on Arkansas's first families, a display highlighting the Arkansas wilderness, two legislative chambers and temporary exhibits. Guided tours are available daily. Admission is free.
Plantation Agriculture Museum
Scott (501) 961-1409
www.arkansasstateparks.com
About 30 minutes from Little Rock, the Plantation Agriculture Museum in Scott interprets the history of cotton agriculture from 1836-World War II. See early cultivation tools, the mule barn and early kitchen equipment.
The Delta
Arkansas State University Museum
Jonesboro/(870) 972-2074
http://museum.astate.edu
The ASU Museum is in the west wing of the Dean B. Ellis Library and is a resource for the university and the public. Visitors will find a variety of artifacts from prehistoric times to the present.
Delta Cultural Center
Helena (870) 338-4350
www.deltaculturalcenter.com
The Delta Cultural Center is in historic downtown Helena and includes a restored 1912 Missouri-Pacific train depot, the restored Greek Revival/ Italianate-style Moore-Hornor Home and a visitor's center. "King Biscuit Time," the longest-running daily radio show in history is broadcast from here.
Hampson Museum State Park
Wilson (870) 655-8622
www.arkansasstateparks.com
Located in northeast Arkansas, this museum contains archaeological collections of a Mississippi River farm-based civilization that existed from 1400 to 1650 A.D.
Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center
Piggott (870) 598-3487
http://hemingway.astate.edu
This museum includes the home and barn studio where Ernest Hemingway lived while writing "A Farewell to Arms" and several short stories.
Parkin Archeological State Park
Parkin (870) 755-2500
www.arkansasstateparks.com
This park preserves the site of a Mississippian Period American Indian village, 1000-1550 A.D.
The Ouachitas
Crater of Diamonds State Park
Murfreesboro (870) 285-3113
www.arkansasstateparks.com
The world's largest diamond-bearing site open to the public. Visitors can prospect for gems and keep what they find. Includes a campground and hiking trail.
Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center
Hot Springs (501) 624-3383
www.nps.gov/hosp
The Hot Springs National Park Visitor Center is located in the Fordyce Bathhouse in downtown Hot Springs. The 1915 building contains beautiful mosaic tile floors, marble, stained-glass windows and ceilings, and routine bathing equipment.
Mid-America Science Museum
Hot Springs (800) 632-0583
Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs is a popular place for families with its many hands-on exhibits. The museum is on 21 scenic wooded acres. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and children ages 4-12.
The Ozarks
Ozark Folk Center
1032 Park Ave.
Mountain View (870) 269-3851
www.ozarkfolkcenter.com
At the Ozark Folk Center, visitors can watch more than 20 artisans demonstrate skills such as basket weaving, blacksmithing, soap making and quilting. Musicians perform folk music throughout the day and at evening concerts. Guests can stay overnight at Dry Creek Lodge and choose from two restaurants.
Pea Ridge National Military Park
Garfield (479) 451-8122
www.nps.gov/peri
Pea Ridge National Military Park protects 4,300 acres in and around the site of the Battle of Pea Ridge, which took place in March 1862. The battle was the first major Civil War encounter in Arkansas and the largest battle fought west of the Mississippi River. Admission is $5 per car.
Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park
10 miles west of Fayetteville, U.S. Highway 62
(479) 846-2990
www.arkansasstateparks.com
This 130-acre park commemorates the Civil War Battle of Prairie Grove, which was fought on Dec. 7, 1862. It was the last major Civil War battle in northwest Arkansas, and more than 20,000 Confederate and Union soldiers fought in the battle. Self-guided and guided tours of the museum available.
Rogers Historical Museum
Rogers (479) 621-1154
www.rogersarkansas.com/museum
The Rogers Historical Museum presents the history of the area through exhibits and educational programs. Admission is free.
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
Springdale (479) 750-8165
www.springdaleark.org/shiloh
The museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the Arkansas Ozarks. Guests can visit six historic buildings, as well as view artifacts and an extensive photograph collection.
War Eagle Mill
Rogers (479) 789-5343
www.wareaglemill.com
War Eagle Mill offers visitors the experience of seeing a working water-powered grist mill. Inside, antique tools and crafts made by local artists line the walls, and flours, cereals, jams, honey, sorghum, seasonings and cookbooks are available for purchase.
River Valley
Museum of Prehistory and History
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville (501) 964-0826
http://museum.atu.edu
ATU's museum has a collection of many artifacts from the Arkansas River Valley region and adjacent areas in the Ozarks and Ouachitas.
Fort Smith Museum of History
Fort Smith (479) 783-7841
www.fortsmithmuseum.com
This three-story building contains numerous exhibits and displays on Fort Smith's colorful history. There's also an old-fashioned drug store and working soda fountain.
Fort Smith National Historic Site
Fort Smith (479) 783-3961
www.fortsmith.org
This historic site includes the remains of the original 1817 fort on the Arkansas River. Inside is the courtroom of the "Hangin' Judge" Isaac C. Parker, and the original commissary building is located on the grounds.
Fort Smith Trolley Museum
Fort Smith (479) 783-0205
www.fortsmith.org
The Fort Smith Trolley Museum features a working, fully restored 1926 electric streetcar that makes regular half-mile runs. Inside the Trolley Museum is a collection of old railroad passenger cars, engines, old Fort Smith buses and other transportation artifacts.
Timberlands
Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources
Smackover (870) 725-2877
www.arkansasstateparks.com
Discover how petroleum and bromine are converted to beneficial products at this facility in Smackover.
Arkansas Railroad Museum
Pine Bluff (870) 535-8819
Engine 819 is the main attraction at the museum, which is now in the old Cotton Belt shops where the train was built in 1942. The museum also houses Engine 819 and a full-scale inside-the-building railroad depot along with displays of railroad memorabilia. Call for hours.
Band Museum
Pine Bluff (870) 534-4676
www.pinebluffonline.com
Pine Bluff boasts the only museum in the country dedicated to band instruments and the band movement in America. The site is also home to a working soda fountain.
Texarkana Museum of Regional History
Texarkana (903) 793-4831
www.texarkanamuseums.org
This museum is housed in Texarkana's oldest brick building and features exhibits on agriculture, early industry, Native American pottery and more.
For more information, pick up the "Arkansas Tour Guide" at the Arkansas Parks & Tourism office behind the state Capitol or call (501) 682-7777. Also visit the Parks & Tourism Web site at www.arkansas.com or the Department of Arkansas Heritage Web site at www.arkansasheritage.com.
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