List of museums in Arkansas facts for kids

Arkansas is a state in the southern United States, and it's home to many interesting museums! Museums are special places that collect and take care of important objects. These objects can be about art, science, history, or culture. Museums then share these collections with everyone through exhibits. Think of them as giant treasure chests filled with cool stuff from the past and present, waiting for you to explore!

Awesome Museums to Explore in Arkansas

Arkansas has museums for all kinds of interests. Here are some of the best ones to visit:

Art and Creativity Museums

• Arkansas Arts Center (Little Rock): This museum is all about art! It's a great place to see beautiful paintings, sculptures, and other creative works.
• Bradbury Art Museum (Jonesboro): Part of Arkansas State University, this museum shows off modern art in many different forms. They often have new exhibits to see.
• Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (Bentonville): This amazing museum features American art from way back in the Colonial era all the way to today. It's a must-see for art lovers!
• Fort Smith Regional Art Museum (Fort Smith): You can find nationally and internationally recognized art exhibits here.
• The Momentary (Bentonville): This is a cool place for contemporary art, which means art made in our time. It's often very thought-provoking and modern.
• South Arkansas Arts Center (El Dorado): A place where you can enjoy different kinds of art.
• Stephens Art Gallery (Clarksville): Located at the University of the Ozarks, this gallery showcases various art pieces.

History and Culture Museums

• Arkansas Air & Military Museum (Fayetteville): Learn all about the history of flying in Arkansas and how the American military has been involved in different conflicts. You can even see historic aircraft!
• Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame (Pine Bluff): If you love music and movies, this is for you! See items and memories from famous entertainers who came from Arkansas.
• Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum (North Little Rock): Explore the history of boats and ships. A highlight here is the real submarine, the USS Razorback (SS-394)!
• Arkansas Post National Memorial (Gillett): This important historical site remembers key events. It was the first European settlement in the Lower Mississippi Valley in 1686 and even saw a battle during the American Revolutionary War.
• Arkansas Railroad Museum (Pine Bluff): Step back in time to the age of trains! This museum is in old railroad shops and features impressive steam locomotives.
• Arkansas National Guard Museum (North Little Rock): Discover the history of the Arkansas National Guard, which is a part of the military that helps the state.
• Central High School National Historic Site (Little Rock): This powerful place tells the story of the Little Rock Nine. These brave students helped desegregate schools in Arkansas, which means they helped end racial separation in schools.
• Clinton Presidential Center (Little Rock): This is the library and museum dedicated to President Bill Clinton. You can learn about his time as president and American history.
• Delta Cultural Center (Helena): Dive into the local history, culture, music, and railroad stories of the Arkansas Delta region.
• Historic Arkansas Museum (Little Rock): This museum covers the entire history of Arkansas, from its earliest days to the present.
• Historic Washington State Park (Washington): This is like stepping into a time machine! It's an open-air museum with over 30 historic buildings that show what life was like long ago.
• Jacksonville Museum of Military History (Jacksonville): Learn about Arkansas's military history, from the Civil War to more recent conflicts.
• Japanese American Internment Museum (McGehee): This museum shares the important and often sad history of Japanese American internment during World War II. It tells the stories of people who were moved to camps like Rohwer and Jerome.
• MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History (Little Rock): This museum focuses on Arkansas's military past, from when it was a territory until today.
• Mosaic Templars Cultural Center (Little Rock): This center celebrates the rich history, culture, and community of African Americans in Arkansas, starting from the 1870s.
• Museum of Native American History (Bentonville): Explore the history and culture of Native American people through tools, weapons, clothing, and pottery.
• Old State House Museum (Little Rock): This historic building was once the state capitol. Now, it's a museum that teaches about Arkansas's history and culture.
• Ozark Folk Center (Mountain View): This is a living history museum where you can experience the culture and traditions of the Ozarks region, including music and crafts.
• Parkin Archeological State Park (Parkin): An important archaeological site where you can learn about ancient cultures.
• Powhatan Historic State Park (Powhatan): See the 1888 courthouse and other historic buildings that tell the story of county government in the past.
• Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park (Prairie Grove): This park preserves the site of a Civil War battle from 1862 and has a museum about it.
• President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site (Hope): Visit the house where President Bill Clinton was born and learn about his early life.
• Shiloh Museum of Ozark History (Springdale): This museum focuses on the history of the Ozarks and Northwest Arkansas.
• Southern Tenant Farmers Museum (Tyronza): Learn about the history of farming and the challenges faced by tenant farmers in the past.
• Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park (Scott): Explore an ancient site with 18 mounds, some of the tallest prehistoric mounds in Arkansas. The museum here displays artifacts found at the site.
• Walmart Museum (Bentonville): See the original store opened by Sam Walton and learn about the history of the famous Walmart company.

Science and Nature Museums

• Arkansas Museum of Discovery (Little Rock): This is a fantastic science museum with lots of hands-on exhibits. You can touch, experiment, and learn in a fun way!
• Arkansas Museum of Natural History (Hot Springs): See archaeological and geological artifacts from Arkansas and around the world, including cool minerals and fossils.
• Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources (Smackover): Learn all about the petroleum industry in Arkansas, which is how oil and gas are found and used.
• Delta Rivers Nature Center (Pine Bluff): Explore the natural history of the Arkansas River Delta. There are trails and exhibits about local wildlife and ecosystems.
• Crater of Diamonds State Park (Murfreesboro): This is a unique place where you can actually dig for diamonds, agate, garnet, and other gems! Whatever you find, you can keep.
• Mid-America Science Museum (Hot Springs): Another great science museum with many hands-on exhibits that make learning about science exciting.
• Scott Family Amazeum (Bentonville): This is a super fun, interactive museum designed for children of all ages and their families. It's packed with hands-on activities.
• Turner Neal Museum of Natural History (Monticello): Part of the University of Arkansas at Monticello, this museum focuses on natural history and even has a planetarium!
• White River National Wildlife Refuge (DeWitt): Learn about the natural history and wildlife of this important refuge.

Unique and Niche Museums

• Arkansas Country Doctor Museum (Lincoln): Discover what life was like for a small-town doctor in the early 20th century and learn about the history of medicine.
• Arkansas Historic Wine Museum (Paris): Operated by Cowie Wine Cellars, this museum tells the story of wine making in Arkansas.
• Daisy Airgun Museum (Rogers): See a collection of vintage airguns and learn about the history of the Daisy company.
• ESSE Purse Museum & Store (Little Rock): This unique museum shows how American women's lives changed throughout the 20th century, told through their handbags and what they carried inside them.
• Frog Fantasies Museum (Eureka Springs): A quirky museum with a huge collection of frog-themed items!
• Galaxy Collection (Hot Springs): If you're a Star Wars fan, you'll love this! It has vintage items related to the Star Wars movies.
• Guitar Museum (Jacksonville): Check out vintage guitars and amplifiers, including a large display of "Cowboy Guitars" from the 1930s to 1950s.
• Klipsch Museum of Audio History (Hope): Learn about the history of sound and audio technology, featuring products from Klipsch Audio Technologies.
• Lum & Abner Museum & Jot 'Em Down Store (Pine Ridge): This museum has items from the popular Lum & Abner radio show from the 1930s and 1940s.
• Mark Martin Museum (Batesville): For racing fans, this museum focuses on the car racing career of famous driver Mark Martin.

See also

• List of nature centers in Arkansas

Regions of Arkansas

Arkansas is divided into several regions, each with its own unique geography and history:

• Arkansas Delta - This is the flat, fertile eastern and southeastern part of the state.
• Arkansas River Valley Region - This area follows the Arkansas River as it flows through the state.
• Arkansas Timberlands - Also known as Southern Arkansas or the West Gulf Coastal Plain, this region is known for its forests.
• Little Rock Central Area - This includes the state capital, Little Rock, and surrounding counties like Pulaski, Faulkner, Saline, Lonoke, Perry, and Grant.
• Ouachita Mountains - This region is named after the beautiful mountain range in west-central Arkansas.
• The Ozarks - A highland region found in northwest and north-central Arkansas, known for its scenic beauty and hills.