I had not visited the Historic Arkansas Museum in downtown Little Rock in years! Not since I helped chaperone my child’s class on a school field trip.
Honestly, I couldn’t remember much so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I knew there were some historic buildings on the property, but I didn’t realize that the museum preserves part of what was once one of Little Rock’s earliest neighborhoods.
And I definitely didn’t know the story of the woman who fought to save it.
That turned out to be one of the most interesting parts of our visit.
What Is the Historic Arkansas Museum?
The Historic Arkansas Museum is located in downtown Little Rock at 200 E. Third Street.
There are really two parts to the museum.
Inside the main museum building you’ll find galleries with Arkansas history, art, furniture, pottery, quilts and other objects made or used in Arkansas. There are also changing exhibits featuring Arkansas artists.
Some of the artwork was stunning. But be sure that you don’t just visit the galleries and leave.
Outside is a collection of historic homes and other buildings that give you a glimpse into what Little Rock looked like in the 1800s. Several of the buildings are still in their original locations.
The oldest is the Hinderliter Grog Shop, which dates to around 1827 and is considered the oldest surviving building in Little Rock.
There is also an 1850s farmstead and several other historic buildings and outbuildings on the museum grounds.
Take the Guided Tour
The museum galleries are free, but I highly recommend paying the small additional fee to take a guided tour of the historic buildings.
Our guide was wonderful. He was very knowledgeable and shared stories and details that we never would have known if we had simply walked around the grounds on our own.
When we visited, we were told that tours were given several times throughout the day on the hour, although not every hour. I would check the current tour schedule when you arrive since times can change.
I think a tour really brings the history of the property to life.
As much as I loved learning about the lives of the people who once lived in my hometown of Little Rock, it was the story of Louise Loughborough, the woman who fought to preserve these buildings, that really captured my attention.
The Woman Who Saved These Buildings
By the 1930s, these old buildings were in bad shape and Little Rock was preparing to tear down what remained of this early neighborhood.
Louise Loughborough had other ideas.
She had admired the old houses since she was young and believed they were an important part of Little Rock’s history. When she learned they were going to be demolished, she began what Historic Arkansas Museum now describes as a one-woman campaign to save them.
Our guide told us that Loughborough wanted to preserve the entire block, but doing so would have cost millions of dollars.
Remember, this was around the time of the Great Depression. State leaders weren’t exactly eager to spend a small fortune preserving a bunch of old buildings. According to our guide, her idea was pretty much scoffed at.
But apparently Louise Loughborough was not a woman who gave up easily.
She continued pushing for the buildings to be saved and eventually gained enough support to preserve and restore the remaining historic structures. The Arkansas Legislature created a commission for the restoration project in 1939, and the museum opened to the public in 1941.
As our guide told us the story, I couldn’t help thinking about what downtown Little Rock might look like today if more of those old buildings had survived.
I actually said, “We could have been more like Charleston!” Okay, I know that Charleston is a bit of a stretch.
But you know what I mean. It did make me think about how much character a city loses when entire streets and neighborhoods of old buildings disappear.
What remains at Historic Arkansas Museum is only a small piece of early Little Rock, but I’m glad Louise Loughborough was persistent enough to make sure that at least this much survived.
Inside the Museum
After seeing the historic buildings, spend some time inside the museum galleries too.
Historic Arkansas Museum isn’t only about the early history of Little Rock. The museum also has an extensive collection of Arkansas-made art and objects.
You’ll see everything from historic furniture and pottery to paintings and contemporary Arkansas art. There are also various changing exhibits, so what you see may be different depending on when you visit.
There is also a gallery devoted to blacksmiths and knives, including the famous Bowie knife. The Bowie knife is a big part of Arkansas history, which we learned when we visited Historic Washington State Park.
I enjoyed this part of the museum, but for me the historic buildings were the highlight.
Special Times to Visit
If you want an even more immersive visit, try to go on the third Saturday of the month for Living Craft Saturday. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the historic grounds come to life with costumed interpreters, demonstrations and hands-on activities such as cooking, weaving, printing and other traditional skills.
Historic Arkansas Museum also participates in Little Rock’s 2nd Friday Art Night. On the second Friday of each month, the museum stays open from 5 to 8 p.m. for a free evening that may include live music, refreshments and special exhibits.
Is the Historic Arkansas Museum Worth Visiting?
Yes, I really enjoyed it. I think history buffs or anyone looking for something unique to do in downtown Little Rock would as well.
This isn’t a museum that will take you all day. If you don’t take a tour, I would allow less than an hour, since you won’t be able to go inside the historic buildings. Our guided tour lasted about 40 minutes, plus you’ll want extra time to peruse the galleries.
But I do recommend taking the tour. It will help you understand who lived here, what early Little Rock was like and why these particular buildings are still standing when so much of the old city has disappeared.
And you get to hear the story of a very determined Little Rock woman who refused to let at least one small piece of her city’s history be torn down.
I’m glad she did.
Know Before You Go
Historic Arkansas Museum
200 E. Third Street
Little Rock, Arkansas
Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday: 1-5 p.m.
Closed Monday
Museum Galleries: Free
Guided Grounds Tours:
Adults: $2.50
Ages 65+: $1.50
Under 18: $1
Tours are offered throughout the day. Check with the museum before you go for the current tour schedule.
Parking is free.
We also have a complete guide to Little Rock if you are looking for more things to do in the city.
