The 10 Most Peculiar, Unique and Oddly Specific Museums In Arkansas
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
It’s hard to resist delving into the odd side of Arkansas. Sure, we’re a state of natural beauty and outdoor activities but we also have our quirks. Quirks that are proudly showcased and preserved in the many museums scattered around the state. Let’s look at some of the more unique museums and the oddities they hold.
It's pretty nifty that Arkansas is home to one of the three purse museums in the world. Esse celebrates the 20th-century American woman through the history of changing purse styles and the contents within those bags. Visitors will learn about women's struggles, accomplishments, and ever changing position in public through exhibits and lecture series.
Esse is located at 1510 Main Street in Little Rock.
Esse is located at 1510 Main Street in Little Rock.
Although understandably a vital part of living in rural parts of Arkansas during the early 20th-century, this is one of the more oddly-specific museums in the state. Spend an hour or so examining surgical tools, the equipment used to deliver babies in the 20s, and the vehicles the doctors drove to visit patients (including a Model-T).
The Country Doctor Museum is located at 109 N. Starr Avenue in Lincoln.
The Country Doctor Museum is located at 109 N. Starr Avenue in Lincoln.
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The Daisy Airgun Museum will inspire nostalgia as soon as you take that first step through the door. Learn the interesting history of how Daisy blossomed from a windmill company's marketing tool to their domination in the 30s and beyond. And, yes they do have A Christmas Story display!
The Daisy Airgun Museum is located at 202 W. Walnut Street in Rogers.
The Daisy Airgun Museum is located at 202 W. Walnut Street in Rogers.
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Nerds unite! The Galaxy Connection showcases one super fan's fantastic collection of Star Wars and superhero memorabilia. Many of the props and exhibits are interactive and it's not uncommon to spot a rouge stormtrooper roaming about.
The Galaxy Connection is located at 626 Central Ave. in Hot Springs.
The Galaxy Connection is located at 626 Central Ave. in Hot Springs.
This quirky museum houses some interesting exhibits. Bauxite’s museum features an aluminum dress (one of the two ever created) and sets of the former residents’ teeth that spurred the addition of fluoride to drinking water.
The Bauxite Museum is located at 6707 Benton St. in Bauxite.
The Bauxite Museum is located at 6707 Benton St. in Bauxite.
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Speaking of bauxite, one thing that puts the Gann Museum on our list today is its structure. It's the only building in the world made of bauxite. The most interesting display is "fireplace poker of death," used to murder Hattie Staner and a neighbor in 1877. The murderer became Saline County's only legal execution, which took place on the courthouse lawn.
The Gann Museum is located at 218 South Market Street in Benton.
The Gann Museum is located at 218 South Market Street in Benton.
Jackson's is a standard funeral home, offering church and graveside services for the dearly departed. What sets them apart from every other funeral home in the world is their museum of funeral services. View relics that date back to the 1800s, learn about the evolution of funeral services and see an antique funeral coach.
Jackson's is located at 1910 Malcolm Ave. in Newport.
Jackson's is located at 1910 Malcolm Ave. in Newport.
The American network radio comedy program is a beloved favorite of Arkansans since the show was based on life in the small community of Pine Ridge. The museum houses memorabilia from the radio show and movies. The two general stores were built in 1904 and 1909 and are on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Lum & Abner Museum is located at 4562 W Highway 88 in Pine Ridge.
The Lum & Abner Museum is located at 4562 W Highway 88 in Pine Ridge.
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Besides having a magic show that any Hot Springs tourist should attend, Maxwell Blade also has a collection of all things weird. Next door to the performance space, the museum is in the building that was once a drive-through mortuary. The ever growing collection features a Fiji mermaid, bizarre skeletons and taxidermy, and sideshow freak relics.
The museum is located at 817 Central Ave. in Hot Springs.
The museum is located at 817 Central Ave. in Hot Springs.
The Monster Mart may be more than a museum, but its collection of all things Fouke Monster makes it worth a shout out. The Monster Mart is dedicated to preserving the history of the Bigfoot-like creature as well as the Legend of Boggy Creek, which made the town famous.
The Monster Mart is located at 104 Highway 71 in Fouke.
The Monster Mart is located at 104 Highway 71 in Fouke.
Is there another museum that should have been added to the list? Share your favorite quirky museum with us in the comments below!
If we’ve sparked an interest of oddities in Arkansas, you may enjoy the creepier things the state has to offer.
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