ROGERS — A contract approval Tuesday with a design company moved the expansion of the Rogers Historical Museum a step closer to reality.

Aldermen approved a $106,260 contract with Haizslip Studio to design two permanent museum exhibitions that will be included in the proposed expansion of the museum.

“We received a $147,860 grant from the Institute of Museums and Library in July,” said Gaye Bland, museum director. “We are using some of that money to pay for the exhibit design.”

The two exhibits, “Our Natural State” and “The White River,” will be interactive combining hands-on exhibits and computers, Bland said.

Haizslip will design two, 1,200-square-foot exhibits while the museum staff is designing two in-house exhibits of 3,600 square feet.

“By splitting the work we get more done in less time,” Bland said.

Museum officials selected Haizslip after talking with a dozen designers.

“We met with the Haizslips about a month ago,” Bland said. “They have designed several children’s museums to include the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center. We felt they bring a sense of place to their work. They have good content infused with fun.

“This is the first time we’ve had the money to do something like this. We wanted to make sure we do it right. I have great confidence in our choice.”

Design work on the exhibits is expected to take about two years.

“I think this ties in with the museum fundraising efforts,” said Reb Haizslip. “We will work closely with museum staff and the building architect during the design phase.”

The first thing Haizslip will do is determine what the concept of the designs should be, what audience the museum wants to reach and what educational concepts should be included.

“It should be a collaborative effort,” Haizslip said. “With everyone working together we should be able to make the building and the exhibits into a smooth transition of shape and form.”

Jan Oftendahl, a downtown merchant, said she thinks the museum expansion will be good for the area.

“Crystal Bridges set a pretty high bar,” Oftendahl said. “We may not have as much money as Ms. Walton, but I think expanding the museum will be a draw for downtown.”

There is an exhibit at the museum depicting the proposed expansion of the museum, complete with artist renderings, models and explanations for museum visitors to view.

“I’ve seen the drawing and the pictures at the museum,” Oftendahl said. “I think it’s going to add dramatically to the downtown area.”

Bland said the museum will change the exhibit as the work progresses.

“Visitors will be able to keep up with our progress on the proposed expansion,” Bland said.