It had been years since my last visit to the Old State House Museum, so I was really looking forward to stepping inside this beautiful structure again. This Greek Revival building is an icon in Little Rock and now houses a museum on the history of our state.
The Old State House was Arkansas’s original state capitol and is also the oldest standing state capitol building west of the Mississippi River.
Today it’s a free museum with exhibits on Arkansas government, politics, governors, first families, and some of the notable people connected to the state.
A Little History of the Old State House
Construction on the Old State House began in 1833, before Arkansas even became a state.
Arkansas was admitted to the Union in 1836, and the state’s first General Assembly met here while the building was still under construction.
A lot has happened inside these walls since then.
In 1837, a dispute between two Arkansas legislators ended with Representative Joseph J. Anthony being fatally stabbed with a Bowie knife on the House floor…and we think politics are a mess today!
More than two decades later, in 1861, Arkansas delegates met here during the secession crisis and voted to leave the Union.
The Old State House also played a role in much more recent political history. Bill Clinton announced his campaign for president on the grounds and returned here for election-night celebrations in both 1992 and 1996.
The 1836 House of Representatives Chamber
One of the most interesting rooms to see is the historic 1836 House of Representatives Chamber, which has been restored to look much as it would have during the 1840s. There are rows and rows of forward-facing wooden desks and chairs.
To be honest, it looks more like a large classroom than a place where Arkansas’s early legislators gathered to debate the issues facing a brand-new state.
But it’s the room connected to some of the most dramatic stories in the building’s history, so be sure and take a look inside during your visit.
Permanent Exhibits at the Old State House Museum
Several of the exhibits focus on Arkansas politics and the people who have governed the state.
The Governors of Arkansas exhibit tells the stories of Arkansas governors through photographs, campaign materials, political memorabilia and personal objects. The Old State House served as the workplace of Arkansas governors before the current State Capitol was built.
There are also exhibits about the broader history of governing Arkansas and how the state’s political life has changed over time.
Arkansas First Ladies
One exhibit Emily and I particularly enjoyed was the display of dresses worn by some of Arkansas’s first ladies.
The gowns span different time periods and they were fun to see up close. We enjoyed discussing which of the first ladies had great personal style and which…did not.
Exhibits like this always make history feel more personal because you’re looking at something an actual person wore, not just reading a plaque on a wall.
Notable Arkansans
The museum also includes exhibits and displays about other well-known Arkansans, including politicians and other notable figures.
We saw material connected to Bill Clinton, Johnny Cash and other people who have played a role in Arkansas history and culture.
The exhibits cover a fairly broad range of subjects, so there is a little bit of everything rather than one single theme running through the entire museum.
Is the Museum Worth Your Time?
I think so, especially if you are already spending time in downtown Little Rock. Admission is free, and you don’t need to set aside half a day to see it.
I would allow about an hour, although someone who really enjoys Arkansas or political history could easily spend longer reading through the exhibits.
You walk into the beautiful grounds through the iron gate and then go to the right wing of the building to enter the museum. From there, you make your way upstairs and through the various rooms until you eventually come back down a second set of stairs.
I loved hearing the creaky wooden floors as we explored and seeing the details in the beautiful moldings throughout the building.
Take Time to Look Around the Grounds
The Old State House itself is one of the prettiest historic buildings in Little Rock, painted a bright white with huge columns, a pretty fountain, and towering mature trees.
Take a little time to walk around the grounds and the exterior before or after you go through the museum.
Even if you aren’t especially interested in political history, it is a beautiful place to see while you are downtown and a nice spot to sit on a bench in the shade if you happen to be there on a hot day.
Know Before You Go
Old State House Museum
300 W. Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas
Tuesday–Saturday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday: 1–5 p.m.
Monday: Closed
Admission: Free
The museum is located in downtown Little Rock near the Arkansas River and can be combined with other downtown attractions such as the Clinton Library, and The Historic Arkansas Museum.
It’s an easy stop if you’re already in the area.
We have an entire guide to the city of Little Rock if you are looking for even more things to do in the area. And if you are interested in museums, check out our list of more interesting museums in Arkansas.
