Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
EXPEDITION EXHIBIT
In-state museums provide fun educational destinations
THE FAULKNER COUNTY MUSEUM
Housed in the historic Faulkner County Jail, which was built in 1896, the Faulkner County Museum in Conway opened in 1997 and showcases items from the county’s past. Collections include research materials, art by local artists and more, as well as a plethora of historic and prehistoric objects.
“People will want to see our scale model-railroad-layout exhibit and our Native American stone-tools exhibit for sure,” said Lynita Langley-Ware, director. Learn more at faulknercounty.org/faulknercountymuseum.org faulknercounty.org/ faulknercountymuseum.org.
THE MID-AMERICA SCIENCE MUSEUM
Since 1979, the Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs has been a resource for those interested in learning about science, technology, engineering and mathematics. A few years ago, the museum received a $7.8 million grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation to update its facilities. Indoor and outdoor highlights of the museum include the Bob Wheeler Science Skywalk, the Oaklawn Foundation Digital Dome Theater and the Oaklawn Foundation DinoTrek. Learn more at midamericamuseum.org.
THE MOSAIC TEMPLARS CULTURAL CENTER
With a focus on telling the stories of African Americans in Arkansas, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock offers engaging exhibits that provide information about the city’s West Ninth Street Business District, Black entrepreneurs and the Mosaic Templars of America, a Black fraternal organization that was headquartered at the site where the museum now stands.
“We are renovating the space and will be able to offer a new theater space and children’s exhibit this fall,” said interim director Quantia Fletcher, who added that the museum opened the exhibit The Negro Motorist Green Book on May 20. “In May, June and July, we will offer walking tours of Ninth Street to highlight businesses that were in the Green Book.”
The museum is also home to the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame. Learn more at arkansasheritage.com/mosaictemplars-cultural-center.
THE MUSEUM OF AUTOMOBILES
Situated on scenic Petit Jean Mountain in Morrilton, the Museum of Automobiles is a must-see attraction for gearheads. When it first opened in 1964, the museum displayed Winthrop Rockefeller’s collection of cars. After his death, the museum reopened in 1976 and now showcases vehicles on loan from collectors across the U.S., including a 1920 Ford TT School Bus, a 1952 Volkswagen Beetle and many others. Learn more at museumofautos.com.
THE MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY
The state’s oldest museum, the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, was founded in 1927 and moved to its River Market location in 1998. In 2012, a $9.2 million grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation allowed the museum to debut 90 new exhibits.
“We are a science and technology center with a mission of igniting and fueling a passion for science, technology, engineering, arts and math through dynamic, interactive experiences,” CEO Kelley Bass said. “It’s a great place for a classic combination — fun, education and coolness!”
Families can experience such exhibits as the Tornado Alley Theater, the Tesla Theater, Discovery Hall and Earth Journeys, which houses the state’s secondlargest collection of live animals.
The museum in temporarily closed due to a burst pipe, but is expected to reopen this summer, according to museumofdiscovery.org.
THE OLD INDEPENDENCE REGIONAL MUSEUM
Families can learn about Independence County and the surrounding area at the Old Independence Regional Museum in Batesville. The former National Guard Armory houses exhibits about NativeAmerican history, the Great Depression, historic occupations in the area and more, as well as a heritage garden and an archival research wing.
“Exhibit highlights include a 1904 Brougham carriage, an 1891 high-wheel bicycle, a 1940s covered wagon and a computer flight simulator,” said Terri Crawford, humanities educator. “Younger visitors will enjoy an array of animal pelts, the feel of natural cotton, and attempting to read and write in cursive.”
Learn more at oirm.org.
OZARK FOLK CENTER STATE PARK
People of all ages can travel back in time to experience pioneer crafts and music at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. The park includes the Crafts Village, which features a wide range of artisans who demonstrate crafts such as copperwork, broom making, spinning, weaving, letterpress printing and more. In addition, the Ozark Folk Center Auditorium often plays host to evening music programs in which musicians and dancers show off traditional Ozark music, instruments and dances. Learn more at arkansasstateparks.com/ parks/ozark-folk-center-state-park.