On a recent trip to Bentonville, we decided to explore some of the smaller museums in the city. One of these was the Museum of Native American History, or MONAH.
It isn’t a huge museum, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting it to have nearly as many artifacts as it does. I was surprised by how extensive the collection is.
MONAH has thousands of Native American artifacts representing thousands of years of history. You’ll see everything from pottery and tools to beadwork, clothing, artwork, and some really beautiful ceremonial pieces.
And admission is completely free.
If you’re visiting Bentonville and have an hour or two to spare, I think this is a very worthwhile stop, especially if you enjoy history.
What Is the Museum of Native American History?
MONAH began with the private collection of David Bogle, a Bentonville native and member of the Cherokee Nation. Over the years, the collection has grown beyond Bogle’s original artifacts as other collectors and families have donated or loaned pieces to the museum.
Today, MONAH has more than 10,000 artifacts spanning several different time periods. That was probably the biggest surprise for me. There’s a lot packed into this unassuming building.
The museum originally opened in downtown Bentonville in 2006 before moving to its current location a couple of years later.
We were told the building has been expanded over the years to accommodate the growing collection.
What You’ll See Inside the Museum
One of the first things you’ll meet is Tusker, the museum’s woolly mammoth. He’s hard to miss, especially since he roars as you walk in!
From there, the exhibits are arranged chronologically and take you through thousands of years of Native American history. You’ll see archaeological pieces, weapons, pottery, tools, artwork, jewelry, and clothing from different periods and cultures.
I enjoyed seeing the beautiful beadwork on the moccasins and other pieces of clothing and found myself spending a lot of time studying the details.
The elaborate feather headdresses were especially impressive and probably one of my favorite parts of the museum.
There are quite a few things here I hadn’t seen displayed in other museums we’ve visited in Arkansas.
A Tip Before You Start
Here’s something we didn’t realize until after we’d already started going through the museum:
When you enter, go to the left if you want to see everything in historical order.
Naturally, we went to the right.
It really wasn’t a big deal. We still enjoyed the museum, and you can walk through it in either direction. But if you’re someone who likes seeing history unfold chronologically, turn left when you enter.
Take Advantage of the Audio Tour
The museum also has free audio tour wands you can use while you walk through the exhibits.
You’ll definitely learn more by listening to the tour rather than just browsing, but you know your own interest level in the subject!
The audio tours are available in both English and Spanish.
How Much Time Do You Need?
I’d say to plan on about an hour for most visits.
You could easily spend longer if you use the audio tour and stop to read about everything, or move a bit quicker if you’re traveling with people who don’t love lingering in museums.
That’s one of the things I like about MONAH. It’s substantial enough to be interesting, but it doesn’t require a huge time commitment.
Is MONAH Worth Visiting?
I think so, especially if you enjoy history and museums.
I wouldn’t necessarily plan an entire trip to Bentonville around this museum, but it’s a good addition to an itinerary, and it had more than I expected.
It also pairs well with some of Bentonville’s larger attractions.
You could spend part of the day at Crystal Bridges or downtown Bentonville and then stop at MONAH while you’re already in the area. Since admission is free, there’s really very little downside to going in and seeing it for yourself.
Donations are appreciated and help support the museum, so we always like to leave something when visiting a small museum like this.
Visiting the Museum of Native American History
Museum of Native American History
202 SW O Street
Bentonville, Arkansas
The museum is generally open Tuesday through Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday.
Because hours can change for holidays or special events, I always recommend checking the MONAH website before you go.
Admission is free, although donations are appreciated.
More Things to Do in Bentonville
MONAH is just one of many interesting places to visit in Bentonville.
If you’re planning a trip, don’t miss Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, downtown Bentonville, and the Walmart Museum.
And if you’re looking for even more ideas, check out my guide to the best things to do in Bentonville and my larger guide to the best things to do in Northwest Arkansas.
