We recently drove the Great River Road in Arkansas and one of the highlights of the trip was a stop at the Delta Cultural Center in the Mississippi River town of Helena, Arkansas.
If you ever find yourself in the town of Helena I would highly suggest a stop at this great little Arkansas museum.
This is a place that will help you to understand the soul of this part of Arkansas. You will find a great mix of music, history, and the culture of the Delta.
The Delta Cultural Center in Helena
Yes, I love the Ozarks and the Arkansas mountains, but I also adore the Delta!
There is something so special about this part of our state and the Delta Cultural Center does a good job of capturing and showcasing the unique heritage and heart of this area.
Location of the Delta Cultural Center
The center is located in downtown Helena which is located in southeast Arkansas. The address is:
141 Cherry St, Helena-West Helena, AR 72342
The museum is approximately 75 miles from Memphis and 120 miles from Little Rock.
Cost of the Delta Cultural Center
Admission is free!
Different Venues and Parking
We visited two different venues of the Delta Cultural Center, the Visitors Center, and the Delta Cultural Center Depot.
The two are just a short block apart from one another there is on street parking in front of the visitor center and a parking lot at the depot.
The Visitor Center and King Biscuit Studio
We first entered the Visitor Center.
Everyone was very friendly and helpful which is always so nice to find. There is a museum store/gift shop as well as an information counter in the front.
To the right of the central area is Delta Sounds. This is a permanent exhibit area that is dedicated to the music of the Arkansas Delta: Blues, Gospel, Country, Rockabilly, and other regional musical styles.
Here you will find a variety of exhibits, artifacts, and information on legendary Delta musicians as well as the King Biscuit Time radio studio.
On the left side you will find space for temporary exhibits.
While we were there they had a really extraordinary exhibit about the role of the Baptist Church in the lives of African Americans during the Jim Crow period. It was an excellent and eye-opening exhibit.
King Biscuit Time Radio Studio
Upon our arrival to the Delta Cultural Center we were disappointed to discover that we had just barely missed seeing the King Biscuit Time radio show live. We got there about 10 minutes after it ended. Poor planning on our part.
This iconic radio show, which is the longest running daily blues radio show in the United States, airs live every weekday from 12:15 to 12:45 and guests are welcome!
I would highly recommend trying to show up in time for the show! I just think that there would be something really special about hearing blues music played right in the area where it all began.
The Depot Museum
More of the museum is housed in a gorgeous restored 1912 train depot. Here you will find some excellent award winning exhibits.
You will learn all about the earliest Delta inhabitants all the way through to the loggers, the steamboat pilots, and the slaves and then the tenant farmers and sharecroppers.
I would say that my favorite part was feeling like I was stepping back in time into the lives of the people who built their lives along the Mississippi River.
There’s a quiet pride in the stories told there in these exhibits from the cotton fields to the juke joints.
I was also surprised by the Civil War portion of the museum because I had not realized what a major role Helena played during war.
Views of the Mississippi
If you want to take a look at the mighty Mississippi you can walk over the railroad tracks by the Depot and up a set a stairs to a viewpoint.
Nearby Places to Eat and Drink
While you are on Cherry Street in downtown Helena there are a couple of restaurants that you might want to try.
All of these are within a few blocks!
- We really liked Biscuit Row Bar BBQ which we was recommended to us by another visitor to the museum.
- I’ve heard great things about Delta Que & Brew
- You might want to book a tasting at the award winning Delta Dirt Distillery
One of the things that really stood out to me on my visit to the museum was way it shows the connection to the Delta land itself. From the blues music to the river to the culture to the fields that stretch for miles, it all weaves together into one big, layered story.
The museum helps you to feel that connection in a way that’s both educational and personal.
The Delta Cultural Center may not be flashy, but it is really well done and rich in stories. I think it is a perfect place to go to learn more about this unique part of Arkansas.
Here is a list of more museums in Arkansas that you might find interesting!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
