Explore Arkansas: Old State House Museum

Set in the oldest surviving state capitol west of the Mississippi River, the Old State House Museum has been designated a National Historic Landmark, though it is probably best known throughout the country as the scene of President Bill Clinton's 1992 and 1996 election-night celebrations.

This magnificent Greek Revival structure overlooking the Arkansas River houses a multimedia museum of Arkansas state history. Current exhibits include On the Stump: Arkansas Political History from 1819-1919; Try Us: Arkansas & the US-Mexican War; Sam Dellinger: Raiders of the Lost Arkansas, featuring Native American artifacts found in Arkansas; and exhibits on the history of the building, pre-statehood history, Arkansas women in history, and governors and the inaugural gowns of governors’ wives, as well as Period Rooms that show interior design from the past. In addition, nationally recognized collections that are not currently on exhibit but can be viewed online include Civil War battle flags, Arkansas art pottery featuring Camark and Niloak pieces, African-American quilts, and artifacts from the heritage of Arkansas’s music. Education staff provide programming for students and adults.

Visit the Old State House Museum events calendar for fun, family-friendly activities held throughout the year. Shop at the Museum Store for a variety of souvenir merchandise, books and collectibles. See our Arkansas News Archive for more than a thousand articles on Arkansas history. Read a slave narrative or the biographies of Arkansas governors. Browse through photographs from Arkansas during the Great Depression. And be sure to visit Trapnall Hall, a restored antebellum mansion available for rental for special events. To be notified of new acquisitions and Arkansas history exhibitions, don't forget to sign up for Columns, the Old State House's free newsletter or join our online email list.

A museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, the Old State House Museum is open daily with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Old State House Museum
300 W. Markham
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-324-9685
http://www.oldstatehouse.com/