Best-Kept Secrets

Smaller museums offer unexpected surprises

Courtesy Photo The Museum of Native American History knows kids love dolls, and these are from the Southern Plains and from the Lakota Sioux. Both are from the late 1800s and are made from leather, decorated with fringe and glass beads.
Courtesy Photo The Museum of Native American History knows kids love dolls, and these are from the Southern Plains and from the Lakota Sioux. Both are from the late 1800s and are made from leather, decorated with fringe and glass beads.

Northwest Arkansas enjoys museums that collect and interpret art, history, politics, retail and more. Here are some of the smaller, quieter ones that may be less well known.

Bella Vista

Bella Vista Historical Museum

The Bella Vista Historical Museum, operated by the Bella Vista Historical Society with an all-volunteer staff, features exhibits representing the past 103 years of Bella Vista history from the time Lake Bella Vista was created in 1915.

WHEN -- 1-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday

WHERE -- 1885 Bella Vista Way, next door to the American Legion

COST -- Free

INFO -- 855-2335; bellavistamuseum.org

ALSO NEW -- Hundreds of vintage salt and pepper shakers were donated to the gift shop in December to sell as a fundraiser for the museum.

Bentonville

Museum of Native American History

The Museum of Native American History invites visitors to walk through America's past. From the woolly mammoth skeleton that greets guests at the front door, to rare Mississippian head pots, to art and artifacts from the early reservation period, the museum's authentic collection gives a glimpse into the richly diverse cultural history of the first Americans.

WHEN -- 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday

WHERE -- 202 S.W. O St.

COST -- Free

INFO -- 273-2456; monah.us

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Rogers

Daisy Airgun Museum

The Daisy Airgun Museum is a nonprofit 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.

WHEN -- 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday

WHERE -- 202 W. Walnut St.

COST -- $2 for ages 16 and older

INFO -- 986-6873; daisymuseum.com

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Rogers Historical Museum

Completely revamped in its new space in the Hailey Ford Building at 313 S. Second St. in Rogers, the Rogers Historical Museum includes exhibits on the Van Winkle Mill; Coin Harvey's Monte Ne; the creation of Beaver Lake; and especially for kids, a hands-on section.

WHEN -- 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday

WHERE -- 313 & 322 S. Second St.

COST -- Free

INFO -- 621-1154

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Springdale

Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

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.

WHEN -- 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday

WHERE -- 118 W. Johnson Ave.

COST -- Free

INFO -- 750-8165 or shilohmuseum.org

CURRENT EXHIBITS -- "Stand Up, Speak Out," photos chronicling protests in Northwest Arkansas, through May 18; "Instruments of Faith: The Life and Work of Ed Stilley," musical instruments made by an Ozark artisan in Hogscald Hollow, through 2019.

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Fayetteville

Arkansas Air & Military Museum

Follow the colorful history of aviation in Arkansas and American military conflicts through numerous displays of original artifacts and aviation memorabilia.

WHEN -- 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday-Friday; 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday

WHERE -- 4290 S. School Ave.

COST -- $5 ages 6-12; $9 seniors & military; $10 adults; family rate of $25

INFO -- 521-4947; arkansasairandmilitary.com

BONUS -- The vast, all-wood white hangar, which houses the museum, was headquarters for one of the United States' many aviator training posts during World War II.

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Clinton House Museum

The Clinton House Museum interprets the lives of President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton during the time they lived in Fayetteville.

WHEN -- 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday; closed Wednesday

WHERE -- 930 W. Clinton Drive

COST -- Donations welcome

INFO -- 444-0066 or clintonhousemuseum.org

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Please send additions to this list to [email protected].

NAN What's Up on 02/10/2019

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