Northwest Arkansas is rich with history and diverse culture. Whether you want to see an authentic Andy Warhol self-portrait or learn more about Ozark history, there is a museum for your specific viewing pleasures.
Bella Vista
Bella Vista Historical Museum
1885 Bella Vista Way
(479) 855-2335
Hours: Starting in August, the museum will be open from 1-5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
Admission: Free.
• Exhibits cover the nearby early Indian settlements, the early farms, the lake built in 1915, the summer resort started in 1917, its relaunch in 1952 that turned it into a family recreation center and the 1960s beginnings of its present history when John Cooper, Sr., purchased the summer resort and began buying up the farms all the way to the Missouri state line, eventually converting 40,000 acres into what he called Bella Vista Village. See how his development added seven lakes and seven golf courses, and evolved from a Property Owners Association to become the incorporated City of Bella Vista in 2007 with a present population of 27,000 residents.
Bentonville
Crystal Bridges
600 Museum Way
(479) 418-5700
Hours: Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Wednesday-Friday; and 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday-Monday.
Admission: Free. Some temporary exhibits have a ticket fee.
• Crystal Bridges was founded in 2005 by the Walton Family Foundation as a non-profit charitable organization for all to enjoy. Philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton chairs the Museum's board of directors. The building was designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie and opened to the public on Nov. 11, 2011. Crystal Bridges' permanent collection spans five centuries of American masterworks ranging from the Colonial era to the current day. The permanent collection, which continues to grow through a strategic acquisition plan, is on view year-round and is enhanced by an array of temporary exhibitions. Crystal Bridges provides year-round programming for all ages, including lectures, performances, classes, and continuing education for K-12 teachers.
Museum of Native American History
202 SW 'O' St.
(479) 273-2456
Hours: Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday
Admission: Free.
• The Museum of Native American History invites you to "Walk Through America's Past," where you will be given a glimpse into what life was like for America's first inhabitants. The museum is divided into five different time periods that will guide you through the constant changing lives of the Native Americans, as seen through their artifacts. The displays feature relics that date from more than 14,000 years old to historic times.Visit the museum and enjoy seeing some of the finest treasures ever created by early craftsmen.
Scott Family Amazeum
1009 Museum Way
(479) 696-9280
Hours: Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday-Saturday; and 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Sunday.
Admission: Members and kids under 2 years -- free. Adults and kids over 2 years -- $9.50
• The Scott Family Amazeum is a hands-on, interactive museum for children and families located in Bentonville. A museum with a foundation in the arts and sciences, the Amazeum encourages creativity, curiosity and community through exhibits, educational collaboration, and programs, workshops and camps. Amazeum experiences include a climbable tree canopy, indoor cave, tinkering hub, nearly one acre of outdoor space, and ever-evolving daily pop-up activities.
The Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens
400 S. Walton Blvd.
(479) 254-3870
Hours: Tours are given every hour, on the hour, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday.
Admission: Adults are $5, plus tax; Children ages 6-12 are $2, plus tax; and children under age 6, free.
• The Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens serve as a living display of that period for those touring the mansion and gardens as well as those who rent the 1875 mansion to create personal memories of their own. The Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens were built in 1875 by Colonel Samuel West Peel. Much care was taken in erecting this magnificent house, a wonderful example of the Italianate Villa Style. The interior of the house was furnished with authentic antiquities and artifacts of the era, generously loaned by the Historic Arkansas Museum and the Old State House.
Walmart Museum
105 N. Main St.
(479) 273-1329
Hours: Open 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday; and noon-9 p.m., Sunday.
Admission: Free.
• The Walmart Museum is as much a part of Walmart's history as the exhibits and artifacts that it houses. First opened in 1990, the museum was known as the Walmart Visitor Center. But as times changed and the term "Visitor Center" came to refer more to regional, state, and local tourism offices, it became apparent that a name change was needed. And so, today, The Walmart Museum carries on the mission it always has; to educate, engage, and inspire visitors about the heritage of Walmart.
Located on the Downtown Square, the museum is in three parts, a museum, a working 5&10, and the The Spark Cafe. Trace the origin and growth of Walmart, the worlds leading big box giant. Experience the working 5&10. Enjoy interactives for all ages. Visit The Spark Cafe where the entire family can enjoy a delicious ice cream treat for under $5.
Berryville
Carroll County Heritage Museum
403 Public Square
(870) 423-6312
Hours: Monday through Friday.
Admission: Free.
• Artifacts from Berryville and Carroll County are housed in the 1880 Courthouse; which has three stories of history plus striking twin towers; actual courtroom used until 1975 with the judge's bench, witness chair and jury box. Also moonshine still, funeral parlor, one-room school and genealogy library.
Saunders Memorial Museum
115 E. Madison Ave.
(870) 423-2563
• Extensive collection of firearms (nearly 400 items) including antique and unusual pieces; knives, Victorian clothing, accessories, textiles and furniture. Exhibits include guns used by the famous and infamous such as Jesse and Frank James, Belle Star, Cole Younger, Cherokee Bill, Billy the Kid, Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill Cody; Sitting Bull's war bonnet and an Arab sheik's tent; Persian rugs and Teakwood furniture.
Eureka Springs
Aviation Cadet Museum
39 Arkansas 2073
(479) 253-5008
Hours: Normal season is from April 1 through Oct. 31. Call for tour reservations.
Admission: Kids 5 and under -- free; Adults -- $15; and kids 6-12 years -- $7.
• Aviation Cadet World is a sprawling property nestled in the Ozarks Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. In addition to numerous attractions, it boasts Silver Wings Field, a working runway for private aircrafts.
Fayetteville
Arkansas Air & Military Museum
4290 S. School Ave.
(479) 521-4947
Hours: Open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Saturday, and 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sunday-Friday.
Admission: Members and kids 5 years and under -- free. Adults, $10; kids ages 6-12 -- $5; mom, dad, and kids under age 16 -- $25; and 65+, retired/active military -- $9.
• Follow the colorful history of aviation in Arkansas and American military conflicts through numerous displays of original artifacts and aviation memorabilia. The historic aircraft in the Arkansas Air & Military Museum are unusual among museum exhibits, because many of them still fly. Static displays at the museum range from the golden age of aviation to the jet age, including Vietnam-era Army helicopters and a Navy carrier fighter. The vast, all-wood white hangar, which houses it all is a part of American history, being former headquarters for one of the United States' many aviator training posts during World War II.
Clinton House Museum
930 W. Clinton Drive
(479) 444-0066
Hours: Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Saturday, and 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Sunday.
Admission: Free (donations accepted).
• The Clinton House Museum and its collections interpret the lives of President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton during the time they lived in Fayetteville and occupied the home at 930 W. Clinton Drive. With its range of programs, exhibits, and special events, the Museum promotes the legacy of the Clintons' commitment to public service and civic engagement for international, national, and local visitors as well as preserves the historic home and its role in Fayetteville history.
Headquarters House
118 E. Dickson St.
(479) 521-2970
Hours: Individual tours are available 1-4 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday. Call ahead to schedule tour.
Admission: Group tours range from $8-$30 per person, and last from 35 minutes to 2 hours.
• Headquarters House, also known as the Colonel Tebbetts place, is a historic house museum. Built in 1850, it saw action in the American Civil War, serving as a headquarters for both the Union and Confederacy. During the action at Fayetteville, the house was attacked by Confederate troops while serving as a Union outpost. The building was donated to the Washington County Historical Society as a museum in 1967 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Place in 1971.
Gravette
Gravette Historical Museum
503 SE Charlotte St.
(479) 787-7334
Hours: Open noon to 4 p.m. and by appointment Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Admission: Free.
• The Gravette Historical Museum exhibits local items, World War I and World War II memorabilia in the historic Kindley House.
Pea Ridge
Pea Ridge Historical Museum
1451 N. Curtis Ave.
(479) 621-1621
Hours: Call to arrange a visit to the museum by appointment.
Admission: Free.
• Through a lease agreement with the city, the Pea Ridge Historical Museum occupies the old Lodge Hall/E.H. Building in downtown Pea Ridge. The Museum's Grand Opening was held on Saturday, March 7, 2009. For the months December through February, the Museum does not keep regular open hours.
Pea Ridge National Military Park
15930 Arkansas 62
(479) 451-8122
Hours: Park grounds are open year round from 6 a.m. to dusk. The Visitor Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., seven days a week.
Admission: $15/vehicle, pass valid for seven days; or $10/motorcycle, pass valid for seven days. There is a fee to be on the Pea Ridge National Military Park, for any reason. This includes walking, hiking, biking, driving, horseback riding, touring the museum and watching the film.
• Pea Ridge offers those who love the outdoors plenty of opportunities to experience nature. The battlefield has hiking trails, a bike path and horse trails. The park's hiking trail is seven miles long and goes through both natural and historic areas of the park. If you are not interested in hiking the entire trail there are several shorter loop trails, accessible from tour stop 7 (the Elkhorn Tavern).
Prairie Grove
Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park
506 E. Douglas St.
(479) 846-2990
Hours: Picnic area and restrooms open daily at 8 a.m. on close one hour after sunset.
Admission: Free admission to the visitor information center and exhibit gallery. Guided tours of historic buildings are $5 for adults; $3 for children ages 6-12; and $15 for a family.
• Begin your park visit at Hindman Hall, the park's battlefield museum and visitor center. Interactive exhibits interpreting and detailing the Battle of Prairie Grove bring that history alive. They share stories about the battle, how the landscape affected and shaped the strategic decisions made by both armies, and the Civil War's devastating local effect. You can walk over hallowed ground where history happened. Walk along the ridge and in the valley where the heaviest fighting took place. Follow the one-mile Battlefield Trail or travel the park's five-mile Driving Tour. Tour the historic structures in the Ozark village.
Rogers
Daisy Airgun Museum
202 W. Walnut St.
(479) 986-6873
Hours: Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday.
Admission: Free (donations accepted).
• The Daisy Airgun Museum is a non-profit corporation which preserves and promotes vintage products and artifacts of the historic Daisy company while serving as a national tourism destination for Daisy fans and collectors. The success of the Museum is dependent on admissions, product sales, donations and memberships.
Rogers Historical Museum
322 S. Second St.
(479) 621-1154
Hours: Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday.
Admission: Free.
• The Rogers Historical Museum, an American Alliance of Museums accredited institution, is a department of the City of Rogers and serves all of the people of Northwest Arkansas. The museum is supported by two outstanding non-profit organizations: the Friends of the Rogers Historical Museum and the Rogers Museum Foundation. The Museum is governed by a five member commission, which is appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council, and is responsible for making and maintaining policies, standards, and operational continuity. Daily operations are managed by an eight member staff, with support from a loyal group of volunteers.
Siloam Springs
Siloam Springs Museum
112 N. Maxwell St.
(479) 524-4011
Hours: Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday.
Admission: Free (donations accepted).
• The Siloam Springs Museum preserves, interprets, and celebrates the heritage of an area with a rich past. At the Siloam Springs Museum, you can explore the past through permanent and rotating exhibits highlighting Native American culture, pioneer life, medicine and many other facets of local history.
Springdale
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
118 W. Johnson Ave.
(479) 750-8165
Hours: Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday.
Admission: Free.
• The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History is a regional history museum focusing on the Northwest Arkansas Ozarks. The museum takes its name from the pioneer community of Shiloh, which became Springdale in the 1870s. Most of what you'll see at the museum highlights the real shapers of Ozark history -- the everyday men, women, and children who lived in our towns and rural communities. Along with exhibits, you can explore six historic buildings on the museum grounds. The museum also has a research library with a collection of more than 500,000 photographs of Ozark life.
Tontitown
Tontitown Historical Museum
251 E. Henri de Tonti Blvd.
(479) 361-2700
Hours: Open 1 to 4 p.m., Friday-Sunday, or by appointment.
• Housed in the former home of two of Tontitown's original settlers, the sisters Mary and Zelinda Bastianelli, the Tontitown Historical Museum opened in August of 1986. In the Museum you'll find photographs of and artifacts belonging to the original Italian settlers of Tontitown.
DiscoverNorthwestArkansas on 07/28/2017