LITTLE ROCK – The Old State House Museum has opened “Road to Preservation: Saving the Old State House,” a new exhibit in the west wing of the museum, 300 W. Markham St., Little Rock. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
The new exhibit examines the history of the Old State House as it transitioned from capitol to museum and showcases the hard work of several groups to help preserve the building. Starting in 1906, the Arkansas Federation of Women’s Clubs began an active campaign to save the Old State House. They proposed to not only save the building, but to “Proclaim to the world that Arkansas will honor and forever protect not only the Old State House, but every other landmark which has any historic value.”
Featured alongside the exhibit, the museum period rooms highlight each one of the historic groups that participated in the preservation of the Old State House and its transition into a museum. The period rooms represent the Daughters of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the National Society United States Daughters of 1812, the United Spanish War Veterans Auxiliary and the Arkansas Pioneers Association. You can reach the museum at 501-324-9685. Old State House Museum is located at 300 W. Markham, Little Rock.
The Old State House Museum
Construction on the iconic Greek Revival building that would house Arkansas’ first state capitol building began in 1833. The structure served numerous purposes until 1951 when the Old State House became the state’s museum dedicated to preserving the history of Arkansas from statehood to today. It received national accreditation in 1993 and again in 2003. It is part of Arkansas Heritage, a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. The Old State House Museum is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1- 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism
The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism protects and promotes our state’s natural, cultural and historic assets, contributing to a thriving economy and high quality of life. It is made up of three divisions: Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Heritage and Arkansas Tourism.