So here’s something I didn’t know I’d ever say: “The Walmart Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas is actually kind of charming.”
It is located on the town square in the Terry Block Building. This building was built in 1888 and was the home of the very first original Walmart five and dime store. It has been lovingly and painstakingly restored.
The Museum is interesting and it’s free and definitely worth a stop if you are visiting Bentonville.
Here is more information about Bentonville, Arkansas that you might be interested in!
All About the Walmart Museum
Sam Walton opened the original Walton’s 5&10 right in this spot in 1950.
The front area/gift shop is set up like a retro variety store, you can still buy old-school toys and candy and little trinkets that might remind you of your grandparents house.
This part is fun and a little nostalgic, especially if you are old enough to remember some of the items from your childhood.
Through the double doors at the back is the actual museum. Videos and exhibits walk you through Walmart’s growth from a single small-town shop to, well, Walmart.
The museum winds through the back of the store and upstairs.
It traces Walmart’s story from its early days to becoming a retail empire, with stops along the way for key moments. You will hear about innovations in supply chain, see early commercials, learn about international expansion as well as much more.
In my opinion one of the standouts of the museum is seeing Sam Walton’s office. It is a plain paneled room with a simple desk, full of stacks of papers, files, and notes — nothing fancy, which tracks with the whole image of Walton as a frugal, straightforward kind of guy.
You also get to see Sam’s old red truck that he insisted on driving long after he was a very wealthy man. .
It’s interesting to see how a business that has became so massive still leans hard into its founder’s humble persona.
There are also interesting touches like photos, handwritten notes, a wedding dress, and early photos that tell the life story of Mr. Walton and his family.
You can learn about some more Arkansas Museums here!
You will also get a bit of a feel for how the company’s rise shaped the town of Bentonville (and vice versa). It’s clear that the Walmart Museum serves as a kind of hometown pride project as much as a corporate history lesson.
One of my favorite exhibits was a collection of items that were purchased from Walmart and then returned. These were shown along with notes, some typed and some handwritten, that explained the reasons for the return.
Some of them were very funny such a fishing pole that was perfectly fine but “didn’t catch fish.”
Attached to the Walmart museum is a charming little soda fountain called The Spark Café. It serves ice cream for surprisingly low prices. It’s kind of nice to end your visit to the Walmart Museum with a cone of mint chocolate chip and a view of the town square.
The museum is small and you won’t need to spend a lot of time here. As I mentioned above it is free to visit. The hours are typical museum hours so be sure and check if it’s open especially if you are there on a holiday.
The Walmart museum is not flashy or huge. But it’s a surprisingly thoughtful little spot that offers a peek into how a tiny five-and-dime turned into one of the biggest companies in the world.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
