Park A Day: Arkansas Post Museum

I haven't written about this museum before, and I'm not sure why. It's a nice little museum and it only about a 2 hour drive from Little Rock. The museum chronicles the founding of Arkansas and early Arkansas history.

Most people know that the Arkansas Post was the first capital of Arkansas (back when we were a territory). It was founded in 1686, and was important in several different battles but is most noted for the Battle of Fort Hindman in 1863 during the Civil War. It served as the center for Arkansas commerce for a long time.

The actual museum is five period houses, some dating back as far as 1877. Exhibits include some military memorabilia, native American artifacts, early colonial clothing and tools, early toys, cookware and utensils, a great pioneer kitchen and more.

Admission is $2.25 plus tax for adults and $1.25 plus tax for kids. The museum is located six miles south of Gillett on U.S. 165 at the junction of Ark. 169.

There is also a National Arkansas Post Memorial, which has more fun stuff including civil and revolutionary war reenactments, a history time line with waxed figures, paths and hiking trails and lots of wildlife. Check out the linked Flickr stream for some great exhibit photos. There is no admission fee to this park. The entrance to the park is on AR169, nine miles south of Gillett, via US165 (The Great River Road), and about 20 miles northeast of Dumas, via US165.

The national park was once a state park. The land was acquired for the park on June 17, 1930 and June 24, 1964 it became a National Park.

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