SHILOH MUSEUM OF OZARK HISTORY

Now Open

The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History has reopened for visitors. The museum is currently open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon are reserved for high-risk visitors only. To plan your visit, please call ahead of time to confirm museum times.

A number of safety measures and operational changes will be in place, including required masks for staff and visitors, increased sanitation, and capacity limitations. The museum research library will continue to assist researchers via email, telephone and mail.

• If you have flu-like covid-19 symptoms (such as fever or chills and shortness of breath), please stay home for now.

• We’re limiting the number of visitors at one time, based on social distancing. If you arrive when we’re at maximum capacity, we’ll ask you to patiently wait until we have room for you.

• Please enter through the front door and exit through the side (east) door to minimize interactions. If you’re using a wheelchair or walker, just ring the east doorbell and we’ll come open it for you.

• All visitors must wear face masks. Exceptions: those under two years old and anyone who has trouble breathing or is incapacitated. No mask? No problem. We’ll provide you with a free one.

• Please practice social distancing while in the museum. If you visit with children, keep them nearby and socially distanced. If you visit with a group, please stay together.

• Please leave personal belongings and strollers in your car. Purses are okay.

• Our gift store is closed because social distancing is impossible there.

• If you’re a researcher, please email/call/mail research or photo questions and requests, due to the small size of our library and the inability to social distance.

More details on planning a visit are available at the museum’s website, shilohmuseum.org or by calling 479-750-8165.

Virtual Exhibits/ Presentations

Cabin Fever Reliever — Jan. 9

The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History’s annual “Cabin Fever Reliever” collectors day held each January will go virtual in 2021, debuting Saturday, Jan. 9, on the museum’s website, shilohmuseum. org/. Viewers can enjoy an online gallery of items from the museum’s founding collection, which belonged to Springdale attorney and municipal judge William Guy Howard (1876–1965), known to Springdale residents in his day as “the Judge.” Howard began collecting arrowheads as a boy and spent the rest of his life amassing a huge collection of prehistoric and historic Native American artifacts and more.

Over the years, Guy Howard welcomed people into his Springdale home to view thousands of artifacts on display there. “The Judge” and his collection became a local legend. When he died in 1965, the Springdale City Council voted to purchase Howard’s collection, and the seeds for the Shiloh Museum were planted.

University of Arkansas History — Jan. 20

Charlie Alison, executive editor for the Office of University Relations at the University of Arkansas, will explore the history of the University of Arkansas in a Zoom program hosted by the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, at noon Wednesday, Jan. 20. Alison’s talk, entitled “150 Years on the Hill,” takes a look at the founding of the university in 1871, its opening for classes early the next year, and the beginning of its hallowed traditions during the rest of the 19th century and early 20th century.

Space for the Zoom program is limited; registration is required. To register or for more information, visit the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History’s events page at shilohmuseum.org or call 479-750-8165.

Meeting locations

Shiloh Museum is in the heart of historic downtown Springdale, on the banks of Spring Creek and adjacent to the Razorback Regional Greenway. All events and meetings (unless otherwise noted) are held at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History located at 118 W. Johnson Ave. in downtown Springdale, open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free unless otherwise stated for classes or events.

The Shiloh Meeting Hall is located at 121 W. Huntsville Ave., one block north of Shiloh Museum. The parking lot is accessible from Price Avenue. For more information, call the museum at 479-750-8165, visit the website at shilohmuseum.org. or email shiloh@springdalear.gov.