Enjoy Free Admission To An 1830s Home-Turned-Museum At Arksansas' Historic Old State House Museum
By Melissa Mahoney|Published January 22, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
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I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Since its construction in 1833, the original State Capitol of Arkansas has seen its fair share of historical events. It was witness to Arkansas’ admission to the union and becoming a state in 1836, the vote to secede from the Union to join the Confederacy in 1861, and hosted two acceptance speeches by a United States president. Its history is showcased in what is now called the Old State House Museum.
This Greek Revival Capitol Building was designed by architect Gideon Shryock who chose this style to emphasize a connection between the newest state of the Union and the democracy of ancient Greece.
The Arkansas government, legislature, and supreme court used the building until 1911. Shortly after, it was occupied by the Arkansas School of Medicine and, in 1947, it was transformed into the museum you can visit today.
A vast collection of artifacts from throughout the history of Arkansas occupy the museum, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated National Historic Landmark.
On permanent collection is an exhibit called "First Ladies of Arkansas: Women of Their Times" which examines the lives and accomplishments of governors' wives throughout the history of the state. Preserved gowns of the First Ladies are on display, including one that had belonged to Hillary Clinton.
This room contains wooden desks and chairs along with spittoons which would have been used in the 1800s.
The museum has many permanent collections along with more temporary ones. One past exhibition, "A Piece of My Soul: Quilts by Black Arkansans," displayed 200 quilts made between 1890 and the present.
These quilts represent a vital part of the history of Arkansas and share the stories of the men and women who made them along with their family histories. Although the quilts have been taken down in the museum, you can still view them on the website in the eMuseum.
The large cannon on the front lawn of the museum is known as "Lady Baxter". This cannon was made in 1861 and used in a few battles before retiring here.
The Old State House Museum can be visited both in person or online, and either option is free! The museum’s permanent collection contains over 40,000 artifacts, which they are adding to the online collection. Staff members also host virtual tours and educational videos that anyone can access. Visit their website for more information.
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