Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Art, Fun Variety
Regional museums offer something for everyone
Northwest Arkansas enjoys museums that collect and interpret art, history, politics, retail and more. Here are some of them:
BELLA VISTA Bella Vista Historical Museum
The Bella Vista Historical Museum, operated by the Bella Vista Historical Society with an all-volunteer staff, features exhibits representing the past 103 years of Bella Vista history from the time Lake Bella Vista was created in 1915. The museum’s gift shop is the only location in Bella Vista offering a variety of Bella Vista souvenir items from postcards to jigsaw puzzles. WHEN — 1-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday WHERE — 1885 Bella Vista Way, next
door to the American Legion
COST — Free
INFO — 855-2335; bellavistamuseum.org
MEMBERSHIP — Individual $15/year,
family $25/year, corporate $50/year.
BENTONVILLE Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened to the public on 11-11-11 and was founded in 2005 by the Walton Family Foundation as a nonprofit charitable organization for all to enjoy.
WHEN — 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday & Sunday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; closed Tuesday
WHERE — 600 Museum Way
COST — Admission to the permanent
collection is always free
INFO — 418-5700; crystalbridges.org CURRENT EXHIBIT — “The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Art,” more than 30 of O’Keeffe’s paintings, plus the work of 20 emerging artists focusing on similar themes, through Sept. 3. $10.
See Museums Page 40
Museum of Native American History
The Museum of Native American History invites visitors to walk through America’s past. From the woolly mammoth skeleton that greets guests at the front door, to rare Mississippian head pots, to art and artifacts from the early reservation period, the museum’s authentic collection gives a glimpse into the richly diverse cultural history of the first Americans.
WHEN — 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
WHERE — 202 S.W. O St.
COST — Free
INFO — 273-2456; monah.us
NEW EXHIBIT — Ten artifacts from the Pre-Columbian period, including a Jama-coaque warrior figure from Equador holding a macuahuitl; a jaguar effigy “whistle” vessel is from the Vicus culture in Peru; a Pataky polycrome “footed” urn from the Nicoya/Guanacaste area of Costa Rica; and a Mayan polychrome tri-legged cylinder with three-dimensional howler monkey heads “shouldering the day.”
Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens
The Peel Mansion serves as a living display of the Victorian period and tells the story of a prominent early Bentonville family. Their vision is to inspire the community to explore and appreciate the story of this early Bentonville historic mansion.
WHEN — 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday for the museum and gift shop; 7 a.m.-4 p.m. for the grounds WHERE — 400 S. Walton Blvd. COST — $2 children; $5 adults INFO — 254-3870; peelcompton.org CURRENT EXHIBIT — “Forms, Past and Present: Glasswork by Ed Pennebaker,” through Aug. 31.
Scott Family Amazeum
The Scott Family Amazeum is a hands-on, interactive museum for children and families.
WHEN — 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday; closed Tuesdays
WHERE — 1009 Museum Way COST — $9.50 all ages
INFO — 696-9280; amazeum.org SUMMER BONUS — From 4 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays in July & August, the Amazeum offers pay-as-you-wish admission. Regular hours are
10 a.m. -5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays.
ROGERS Rogers Historical Museum
Northwest Arkansas history museum with children’s area and 1895 Hawkins house, the museum is in the middle of a renovation and relocation that will add both gallery and educational space. WHEN — Closed to add new gallery space WHERE — 322 S. Second St.
COST — Free
INFO — 621-1154
SPRINGDALE Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History is a regional history museum focusing on the Northwest Arkansas Ozarks. The museum takes its name from the pioneer community of Shiloh, which became Springdale in the 1870s. Along with exhibits, you can explore six historic buildings on the museum grounds. WHEN — 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday WHERE — 118 W. Johnson Ave.
COST — Free
INFO — 750-8165 or shilohmuseum.org CURRENT EXHIBITS — “Selected,” items chosen by guest curators to celebrate the museum’s 50th birthday; and “Fifty From Fifty,” 50 objects, one from each year between 1968 and 2018.
FAYETTEVILLE Arkansas Air & Military Museum
Follow the colorful history of aviation in Arkansas and American military conflicts through numerous displays of original artifacts and aviation memorabilia. The historic aircraft in the Arkansas Air & Military Museum are unusual among museum exhibits, because many of them still fly. Static displays at the museum range from the golden age of aviation to the jet age, including Vietnam-era Army helicopters and a Navy carrier fighter. The vast, all-wood white hangar, which houses its part of Arkansas and American history, is a former headquarters for one of the United States’ many aviator training posts during World War II.
WHEN — 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday;
11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday-Friday WHERE — 4290 S. School Ave.
COST — $5 ages 6-12; $9 seniors & military; $10 adults
INFO — 521-4947; arkansasairandmilitary.
com
BONUS — The vast, all-wood white hangar, which houses the museum, was headquarters for one of the United States’ many aviator training posts during World War II. Please send additions to this list, which will run monthly, to bmartin@nwadg.com.