List of museums in Arkansas

This list of museums in Arkansas is a list of museums, defined for this context as institutions (including nonprofit organizations, government entities, and private businesses) that collect and care for objects of cultural, artistic, scientific, or historical interest and make their collections or related exhibits available for public viewing. Museums that exist only in cyberspace (i.e., virtual museums) are not included.

To use the sortable table, click on the icons at the top of each column to sort that column in alphabetical order; click again for reverse alphabetical order.

Museums[edit]

Name Location County Region Area of study Summary
Altus Heritage House Museum Altus Franklin Arkansas River Valley Local history Original German-American State Bank, circa 19th century, with early coal mining equipment, local history[1]
Arkansas Air & Military Museum Fayetteville Washington The Ozarks Aviation website, History of aviation in Arkansas and American military conflicts, historic aircraft
Arkansas Arts Center Little Rock Pulaski Little Rock Central Area Art
Arkansas Country Doctor Museum Lincoln Washington The Ozarks Medical website, life of a small-town doctor and the history of medicine as it was practiced in the early 20th century
Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame Pine Bluff Jefferson Arkansas Delta Hall of fame - Entertainers Located in the Pine Bluff Convention Center, artifacts and memorabilia of entertainers from Arkansas[2]
Arkansas Governor's Mansion Little Rock Pulaski Little Rock Central Area Historic house
Arkansas Historic Wine Museum Paris Logan Arkansas River Valley Region Industry - Wine making website, operated by Cowie Wine Cellars, history of wine making in the state
Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum North Little Rock Pulaski Little Rock Central Area Maritime Features the submarine USS Razorback (SS-394)
Arkansas Museum of Discovery Little Rock Pulaski Little Rock Central Area Science
Arkansas Museum of Natural History Hot Springs Garland Ouachita Mountains Multiple website, displays archeological and geological artifacts from Arkansas and from around the world including minerals and fossils
Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources Smackover Union Arkansas Timberlands Industry - Petroleum Petroleum industry in Arkansas
Arkansas National Guard Museum North Little Rock Pulaski Little Rock Central Area Military History the Arkansas National Guard, Camp Pike and Camp Robinson
Arkansas Post National Memorial Gillett Arkansas Arkansas Delta History Commemorates key events at the site: first semi-permanent European settlement in the Lower Mississippi Valley (1686); an American Revolutionary War skirmish (1783); the first territorial capital of Arkansas (1819–1821); and the American Civil War Battle of Fort Hindman (1863)
Arkansas Railroad Museum Pine Bluff Jefferson Arkansas Delta Railroad Housed in former railroad shops, features steam locomotives
Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Museum North Little Rock Pulaski Arkansas Timberlands Sports Features men, women and teams from a variety of sports, includes inductees from each of the 78 counties in Arkansas
Arkansas River Visitor Center Russellville Pope Arkansas River Valley Region Natural history website, natural and cultural history of the Arkansas River and the construction of Lake Dardanelle, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Arkansas State University Museum Jonesboro Craighead Arkansas Delta Multiple website, state history, natural history and cultural heritage
Arkansas Tech Museum Russellville Pope Arkansas River Valley Region History website, history and memorabilia of Arkansas Tech University
Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas Pine Bluff Jefferson Arkansas Delta Multiple Emphasis on Arkansas and African-American artists, hands-on science exhibits
Ashley County Museum Hamburg Ashley Arkansas Delta Local history Located in the Watson House
Aviation Cadet Museum Eureka Springs Carroll The Ozarks Aviation website
Baum Gallery Conway Faulkner Little Rock Central Area Art website, art gallery in McCastlain Hall of University of Central Arkansas
Bauxite Historical Association & Museum Bauxite Saline Little Rock Central Area Local history [3]
Baxter County Heritage Center Gassville Baxter The Ozarks Local history website, operated by the Baxter County Historical and Genealogical Society
Bella Vista Museum Bella Vista Benton The Ozarks Local history website
Belle Museum and Chapel Charleston Franklin Arkansas River Valley Region Local history [4]
Blythe's Scott County Museum Waldron Scott Ouachita Mountains Local history website, includes Native American artifacts, firearms, weapons, coins
Boone County Heritage Museum Harrison Boone The Ozarks Local history website, operated by the Boone County Historical & Railroad Society, antique collections, pioneer life, railroad and Civil War artifacts, local history collections
Bradbury Art Museum Jonesboro Craighead Arkansas Delta Art website, part of Arkansas State University, changing exhibitions of contemporary art in all media
Bradley County Historical Museum Warren Bradley Arkansas Timberlands Local history Located in the historic Dr. John Wilson Martin House
Bradley County Veterans Museum Warren Bradley Arkansas Timberlands Military website
Bradley House Museum Jasper Newton The Ozarks Local history website, operated by the Newton County Historical Society
Bud Walton Arena Razorback Sports Museum Fayetteville Washington The Ozarks Sports History of Razorback basketball, track and field, baseball, tennis and golf
Carroll County Heritage Museum Berryville Carroll The Ozarks Local history Operated by the Carroll County Historical Society in the historic county courthouse
Central Delta Depot Museum Brinkley Monroe Arkansas Delta Local history Operated by the Central Delta Historical Society, showcases the importance of the Louisiana Purchase, the impact of the railroad era and the local history of the delta region
Central High School National Historic Site Little Rock Pulaski Little Rock Central Area History History of the Little Rock Nine and forced desegregation in Arkansas
Chaffee Barbershop Museum Fort Smith Sebastian Arkansas River Valley Region History Restored 1958 period barbershop where Elvis Presley received his famous first G.I. haircut[5]
Cherokee Village Museum & Learning Center Cherokee Village Fulton and Sharp Counties North Central Arkansas Community History website
Clayton House Fort Smith Sebastian Arkansas River Valley Region Historic house Victorian Renaissance baroque mansion, operated by the Fort Smith Heritage Foundation
Cleburne County Historical Society Museum Heber Springs Cleburne The Ozarks Local history Located in the historic Clarence Frauenthal House
Clinton House Museum Fayetteville Washington The Ozarks Historic house - Biographical Early home of Bill and Hillary Clinton
Clinton Presidential Center Little Rock Pulaski Little Rock Central Area Biographical Library and museum of President Bill Clinton
Clover Bend Museum Black Rock Lawrence Arkansas Delta Local history website, farmstead exhibits and local history
Crater of Diamonds State Park Murfreesboro Pike Arkansas Timberlands Geology - Gems Visitors can sift soil for diamonds, agate, garnet, amethyst, and other gems
Cross County Museum Wynne Cross Arkansas Delta Local history website, operated by the Cross County Historical Society
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Bentonville Benton The Ozarks Art Features American art from the Colonial era to contemporary work
Dallas County Museum Fordyce Dallas Arkansas Timberlands Local history [6][7]

website Exhibits of Dallas County history along with an archives room and a searchable collection of nearly 25,000 negatives from the Alexander Studios. The new Sports Museum is located across the street and from April 22-June 3, 2017 will house the traveling Smithsonian exhibit Hometown Teams:How Sports Shape America.

Daisy Airgun Museum Rogers Benton The Ozarks Commodity - Airguns website, vintage products and artifacts of the Daisy company
Darby House Fort Smith Sebastian Arkansas River Valley Region Biographical Home of World War II General William Orlando Darby[8]
Delta Cultural Center Helena Phillips Arkansas Delta History Local history, culture, music, railroads
Delta Rivers Nature Center Pine Bluff Jefferson Arkansas Delta Nature center website, natural history of the Arkansas River Delta, located in Pine Bluff Regional Park, 130 acres with trails
Delta Gateway Museum Blytheville Mississippi Arkansas Delta Local history website, regional history, industry, agriculture, transportation, geology, natural history, located in the historic Kress Building
Desha County Museum Dumas Desha Arkansas Delta Open-air website, includes the museum with period business displays, an 1828 church, a stocked country store, a building with period farm machinery and equipment, and an 1850 log house
Drennen-Scott House Van Buren Crawford Arkansas River Valley Region Historic house
Drew County Historical Museum Monticello Drew Arkansas Delta Local history Operated by the Drew County Historical Society[9][10]
Eddie Mae Herron Center Pocahontas Randolph Arkansas Delta African American Museum, education, community, heritage and cultural center about African Americans in Randolph County
Ernie's Museum on Black Arkansans Little Rock Pulaski Little Rock Central Area African American website, also called EMOBA - The Museum of Black Arkansans and Performing Arts Center, contributions of black Arkansans
ESSE Purse Museum & Store Little Rock Pulaski Little Rock Central Area Fashion website, evolution of the 20th-century American woman – decade by decade – through her handbags and the items she carried with her
Eureka Springs Historical Museum Eureka Springs Carroll The Ozarks Local history website
Fargo Agricultural School Museum Fargo Monroe Arkansas Delta History
Faulkner County Museum Conway Faulkner Little Rock Central Area Local history Housed in the former county jail
Fort Smith Air Museum Fort Smith Sebastian Arkansas River Valley Region Aviation website, located at Fort Smith Regional Airport, honors pioneer and military aviators from western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma
Fort Smith Museum of History Fort Smith Sebastian Arkansas River Valley Region Local history
Fort Smith National Historic Site Fort Smith Sebastian Arkansas River Valley Region Military Fort Smith's military history from 1817–1871
Fort Smith Regional Art Museum Fort Smith Sebastian Arkansas River Valley Region Art website, nationally and internationally recognized traveling exhibits
Fort Smith Trolley Museum Fort Smith Sebastian Arkansas River Valley Region Railroad - Trolley Heritage streetcars, steam locomotives, railroad equipment, transportation and other technology
Frog Fantasies Museum Eureka Springs Carroll The Ozarks Commodity website, collection of frog items and gift shop
Gann Museum Benton Saline Little Rock Central Area Local history
Galaxy Collection Hot Springs Garland Ouachita Mountains Media website, vintage items related to the Star Wars franchise
Gangster Museum of America Hot Springs Garland Ouachita Mountains History website, area history related to organized crime in the 1920s to 1940s
Grant County Museum Sheridan Grant Little Rock Central Area Local history website, special exhibits include the Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company Museum, a Civil War Red River Expedition room, automobiles and military vehicles
Gravette Historical Museum Gravette Benton The Ozarks Local history Located in the Kindley House[11]
Guitar Museum Jacksonville Pulaski Little Rock Central Area Music website, vintage guitars & amps, w/large display of Cowboy Guitars circa 1930s - 1950s
Hampson Archeological Museum State Park Wilson Mississippi Arkansas Delta Archaeology Collection of early American aboriginal artifacts from the Nodena site
Headquarters House Museum Fayetteville Washington The Ozarks Historic house - History 1853 period home, exhibits related to Civil War battle, operated by the Washington County Historical Society
Helena Museum of Phillips County Helena Phillips Arkansas Delta Local history Includes local history (social clubs, lumber industry, river port, etc.) and Civil War history. Housed in the oldest civic building in Phillips County and the oldest purpose build museum building in the state.
Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center Piggott Clay Arkansas Delta History Barn-studio associated with author Ernest Hemingway and the family home of his second wife, Pauline Pfeiffer; focus on area life and literature in the 1920s and 1930s
Heritage House Museum of Montgomery County Mount Ida Montgomery Ouachita Mountains Local history website
Historic Arkansas Museum Little Rock Pulaski Little Rock Central Area History State history
Historic Washington State Park Washington Hempstead Arkansas Timberlands Open-air Also known as Old Washington Historic State Park, over 30 historic buildings
Hot Springs National Park Hot Springs Garland Ouachita Mountains Historic site Includes early 20th century period Fordyce Bathhouse museum
Howard County Museum Nashville Howard Arkansas Timberlands Local history Operated by the Howard County Historical Society
Hunter-Coulter Museum Ashdown Little River Arkansas Timberlands Local history
Huntington Jail and Miner Museum Huntington Sebastian Arkansas River Valley Region Local history
Jacksonport State Park Newport Jackson Arkansas Timberlands Multiple Includes African American History Exhibit, Courthouse Museum, Mary Woods No. 2 Riverboat, freshwater pearling exhibit
Jacksonville Museum of Military History Jacksonville Pulaski Little Rock Central Area History website, includes Arkansas military history from the civil war through Iraq, with a special emphasis on Little Rock AFB, plus the Arkansas Ordnance Plant.
Jacob Wolf House Norfork Baxter The Ozarks Historic house Oldest public structure in Arkansas, two story log house
Japanese American Internment Museum McGehee Desha Arkansas Delta Ethnic History of Japanese American internment at Rohwer War Relocation Center and Jerome War Relocation Center during World War II
Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum Hot Springs Garland Ouachita Mountains Wax museum
Klipsch Museum of Audio History Hope Hempstead Arkansas Timberlands Technology website, Klipsch Audio Technologies products, test equipment, audio source components, early manufacturing equipment, items from other companies
Lakeport Plantation Lake Village Chicot Arkansas Delta Historic house The only remaining Arkansas Antebellum Plantation Home on the Mississippi River; owned and operated by Arkansas State University.
Dyess Colony Dyess Mississippi Arkansas Delta History website, history of the New Deal federal agricultural resettlement community, includes boyhood home of singer Johnny Cash
Lepanto Museum Lepanto Poinsett Arkansas Delta Local history website
Little Rock Central High School Little Rock Pulaski Little Rock Central Area History 1955 Little Rock integration crisis and the Civil Rights Movement
Logan County Museum Paris Logan Arkansas River Valley Region Local history Housed in a restored jail[12][13][14]
Lonoke County Museum Lonoke Lonoke Little Rock Central Area Civil War website, dioramas and weapons from the Civil War
Lowell Historical Museum Lowell Benton The Ozarks Local history
Lower White River Museum State Park Des Arc Prairie Arkansas Delta Local history website, river's influence on area history, industry and agriculture
Lum & Abner Museum & Jot 'Em Down Store Pine Ridge Montgomery Arkansas Timberlands Media Memorabilia from Lum & Abner radio show from 1903s and 1940s
MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History Little Rock Pulaski Little Rock Central Area Military Military history of Arkansas from its territorial period to the present
Mammoth Spring State Park Mammoth Spring Fulton The Ozarks Railroad Features early 20th-century period train station, caboose and local history displays
Marked Tree Delta Area Museum Marked Tree Poinsett Arkansas Delta Local history Local history, general store and 4 room replication of the old Verser Hospital in Harrisburg, changing exhibits[15]
Mark Martin Museum Batesville Independence The Ozarks Automobile racing - Biography website, focuses on Mark Martin's car racing career; attached to his Ford dealership
Maynard Pioneer Museum Maynard Randolph Arkansas Delta Local history Historic log cabin and pioneer artifacts
McCollum-Chidester House Camden Ouachita Arkansas Timberlands Historic house Operated by the Ouachita County Historical Society, mid 19th-century period house
Mena Depot Center Mena Polk Ouachita Mountains History Also known as Kansas City/Southern Historical Railroad Museum
Mid-America Science Museum Hot Springs Garland Ouachita Mountains Science Hands-on science exhibits
Miss Laura's Social Club Fort Smith Sebastian Arkansas River Valley Region History Restored former bordello and visitor center[16]
The Momentary Bentonville Benton The Ozarks Contemporary art
Morrilton Depot Museum Morrilton Conway Little Rock Central Area Local history [17]
Mosaic Templars Cultural Center Little Rock Pulaski Little Rock Central Area Ethnic - African American African American history, culture and community in Arkansas from 1870 to the present
Museum of American History at Cabot High School Cabot Lonoke Little Rock Central Area Local history [18]
Museum of Native American History Bentonville Benton The Ozarks Native American Includes tools, weapons, clothing, pottery
Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie Stuttgart Arkansas Arkansas Delta Open-air website, pioneer and farm life, agriculture, tractors, store displays, collections of antiques, duck calls and decoys, school house, fire house
Museum of Automobiles Morrilton Conway Little Rock Central Area Transportation - Automobiles Antique and classic cars
Nevada County Depot and Museum Prescott Nevada Arkansas Timberlands Local history Exhibits include area settlers, railroads, military items
New Rocky Comfort Museum Foreman Little River Arkansas Timberlands Local history Housed in a former jail
Old Jail Museum Greenwood Sebastian Arkansas River Valley Region Local history Operated by the South Sebastian County Historical Society
Old Independence Regional Museum Batesville Independence The Ozarks Local history
Old State House Museum Little Rock Pulaski Little Rock Central Area History State history and culture
Ozark Depot Museum Ozark Franklin[19] Arkansas River Valley Region Local history Local history and railroad memorabilia
Ozark Folk Center Mountain View Stone The Ozarks Living history Ozark cultural heritage and tradition, music, crafts
Ozark Heritage Arts Center Leslie Searcy The Ozarks Multiple Art gallery, oral histories, music and theatre
Parkin Archeological State Park Parkin Cross Arkansas Delta Archaeology
Paris-Logan County Coal Miners Memorial Paris Logan Arkansas River Valley Region Mining [20][21]
Pea Ridge Historical Museum Pea Ridge Benton The Ozarks Local history website, operated by the Pea Ridge Historical Society
Pea Ridge National Military Park Garfield Benton The Ozarks Military Preserved Civil War battlefield, museum
The Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens Bentonville Benton The Ozarks Historic house 1870s period mansion
Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Historical Museum Pine Bluff Jefferson Arkansas Delta Local history Located in the former Pine Bluff Union Station[2]
Plantation Agriculture Museum Scott Lonoke Little Rock Central Area Agriculture website, cotton agriculture and plantation farming life, operated by the state
Potts Inn Museum Pottsville Pope The Ozarks Historic house 1850s home and stagecoach station on the Butterfield Overland mail route
Powhatan Historic State Park Powhatan Lawrence Arkansas Delta History Features the 1888 Powhatan courthouse which served as the home of county government from 1888-1963, other historic structures
Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park Prairie Grove Washington The Ozarks Military - Civil War 1862 battle site and museum about the Battle of Prairie Grove
President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site Hope Hempstead Arkansas Timberlands Historic house - Biographical Birthplace home of President Bill Clinton
Quigley's Castle Eureka Springs Carroll The Ozarks Historic house Mid 20th-century house covered in small stones
Randolph County Heritage Museum Pocahontas Randolph Arkansas Delta Local history website, historic artifacts, folk art, archaeological artifacts recovered from the site of the town of Davidsonville, Arksansas
Rector Community Museum Rector Clay Arkansas Delta Local history website, historic items that have a connection to the area of the Rector School District.
Ridge House Fayetteville Washington The Ozarks Historic house Tours by the Washington County Historical Society
Rogers Historical Museum Rogers Benton The Ozarks History website
Saunders Memorial Museum Berryville Carroll The Ozarks Commodity website, firearms, knives, Victorian clothing, accessories, textiles and furniture
Scott Family Amazeum Bentonville Benton The Ozarks Children's, science website, hands-on interactive museum for children of all ages and their families
Sevier County Historical Society Museum De Queen Sevier Arkansas Timberlands Local history [22]
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History Springdale Washington The Ozarks History Ozark and Northwest Arkansas history
Siloam Springs Museum Siloam Springs Benton The Ozarks History website
South Arkansas Arts Center El Dorado Union Arkansas Timberlands Art website
Southern Tenant Farmers Museum Tyronza Poinsett Arkansas Delta Agriculture website
Stephens Art Gallery Clarksville Johnson Arkansas River Valley Region Art website, part of the Walton Fine Arts Center at the University of the Ozarks
St. Francis County Museum Forrest City St. Francis Arkansas Delta Local history [23]
Stone County Historical Society Museum Mountain View Stone The Ozarks Local history website
Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park Scott Lonoke Little Rock Central Area Archaeology - Native American 18-mound complex with the tallest surviving prehistoric mounds in Arkansas, museum of artifacts
Tontitown Historical Museum Tontitown Washington The Ozarks History website
Turner Neal Museum of Natural History Monticello Drew Arkansas Delta Natural history website, part of the University of Arkansas at Monticello, also Pomeroy Planetarium
Two Rivers Museum Ashdown Little River Arkansas Timberlands Local history [24]
University Museum and Cultural Center Pine Bluff Jefferson Arkansas Delta History History of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the Arkansas Delta region[25][2]
U.S. Marshals Service National Museum Fort Smith Sebastian Arkansas River Valley Region Military website, planned museum about the U.S. Marshals Service
Van Buren County Historical Society Museum Clinton Van Buren The Ozarks Local history website
Walmart Museum Bentonville Benton The Ozarks Historic store website, original store opened by Sam Walton, company history
White River National Wildlife Refuge DeWitt Arkansas Arkansas Delta Natural history
Wings of Honor Museum Walnut Ridge Lawrence Arkansas Delta Local History, Military website, History of Walnut Ridge Army Flying School and wars

Defunct museums[edit]

See also[edit]

Regions of Arkansas[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Altus Heritage House Museum". Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "Museums". Pine Bluff Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  3. ^ "Keeping Company: Bauxite Historical Association and Museum". Only in Arkansas. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Belle Museum & Chapel". State of Arkansas. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  5. ^ "Chaffee Crossing Historic District". Chaffee Crossing. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  6. ^ "Dallas County Museum". Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  7. ^ "Facebook site". Dallas County Museum. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  8. ^ "The Darby House". AAA. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  9. ^ "Facebook site". Drew County Historical Museum Drew County Historical Museum. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  10. ^ "Museums". Monticello, Arkansas. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  11. ^ "Museum". City of Gravette. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  12. ^ "Facebook site". Logan County "Old Jail" Museum. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  13. ^ "Logan County Museum". Arkansas Tourism. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  14. ^ "Logan County Jail". Logan County Sheriff's Office. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  15. ^ "Marked Tree Delta Area Museum". Marked Tree Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  16. ^ "Miss Laura's Social Club". Fort Smith Convention and Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  17. ^ "Morrilton Depot Museum". Main Street Morrilton. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  18. ^ "Museum of American History Opening". Cabot Public Schools. September 5, 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  19. ^ "Facebook site". Ozark Heritage Arts Center. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  20. ^ "Logan County Coal Miners Memorial & Museum". Arkansas Tourism. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  21. ^ "Facebook site". Paris-Logan County Coal Miners Memorial. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  22. ^ "Sevier County Historical Society Museum". Arkansas Tourism. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  23. ^ "Facebook site". St. Francis County Museum. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  24. ^ "Places to see!". Ashdown, Arkansas. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  25. ^ "University Museum and Cultural Center". University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  26. ^ "Band Museum". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  27. ^ "Old hospital answering a new calling". Baxter Bulletin. March 23, 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  28. ^ "Gallery Mint Museum Sold!". Coin Talk. December 6, 2006. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  29. ^ "Die Varieties of U.S. Coin Replicas and other issues produced by THE GALLERY MINT MUSEUM". Cliff Bolling. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  30. ^ "Facebook site". Museum of Chicot County Arkansas. March 16, 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2015. The Board of Directors announced the museum is closed due to the deterioration of the building.

External links[edit]