Old Arkansas Newspapers

Read firsthand historic accounts of events in historic newspaper with Ancestry.com's Historical Newspaper Collection.

Historical Newspapers 1815-1985!

Fayetteville Democrat

Fayetteville Daily Democrat

Newspaper Obituaries

All U.S. Newspapers

Arkansas History Museums

Arkansas Post Museum   [Photo Tour]

Five buildings make up this complex of of the southern Grand Prairie history.  Located at 5530 Highway 165 South, in Gillett, AR.

Arkansas Post National Memorial   [History]

The French trading post was settled in 1686 was the first permanent European colony in the Mississippi River Valley.  Watch out for alligators. The entrance to the park is off of Arkansas state road 169 about 9 miles south of Gillett.

Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie

With over 15,000 artifacts and dioramas depicting the early history of life on the Arkansas Grand Prairie, the museum features several historic buildings and insight into early rice farming in the area.

The Baxter County Historical and Genealogical Society offers a collection of historic records and memorabilia related to Baxter County.  They have also moved some historic buildings around the county to Cooper Park to create a pioneer village.  The village is comprised of a two log cabins, a shot-gun style house and the Shady Grove School.  The museum is located at 107 E. Main Street in Gassville, AR.

1875 Peel Mansion  [Photos]

This beautiful 1875 Italianate Mansion was built by Colonel Samuel West Peel.  The farm was surrounded by 180 acres of apple trees.  The mansion is furnished with fine period antiques and artifacts and the gardens offer historic plants of great beauty.  Located at 400 South Walton Blvd. in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Daisy Airgun Museum

Located inside the 1896 Rexall Drug Store and Soda Fountain in Rogers, it is a place to discover the history of Daisy Airguns.  Featured is a collection of antique Daisy Air Rifles and other related memorabilia. Located at 202 W. Walnut in Rogers, Arkansas.

Lowell Historical Museum

A place to discover Lowell's past.  Located in downtown Lowell, AR at 304 Jackson Place.

Pea Ridge National Military Park

[The Battle]  [2007 Re-enactment]

Learn about the Civil War Battle of Pea Ridge which occurred on March 7th & 8th, 1862.

15930 Highway 62

Garfield, Arkansas

Rogers Historical Museum   [Exhibits]

Discover the past history of Rogers, AZ at the Rogers Historical Museum.  Visitors may tour the 1895 Hawkins House and researchers will find a research library containing books, photographs, manuscripts, genealogical records and historical documents.  Located at 301 W. Chestnut in Rogers, AR.

Siloam Springs Museum

Eureka Springs Historical District

Eureka Springs Historical Museum

Housed in the historic three story, 1889 Calif House, the limestone structure was built using limestone from the White River.  The town of Eureka Springs was known as a Victorian Health Spa with 54 luxury hotels.  Calif Spring is one of the many natural healthful springs located in the town.  Exhibits include a lovely art exhibit and the Cora Pinkley Call Log Cabin.  Stop by to learn about the early history of this famed area of Arkansas which is located  in the Eureka Springs Historical District at 95 South Main Street.

Arkansas State University Museum

Devoted to the preservation and exhibit of the history of Charleston and Franklin County, Arkansas, the museum is rich in historical artifacts and family history.  The chapel was built car 1920 and still serves a church today.  Located on Main Street in Charleston, AR.

Confederate State Capitol

[Tour The Town]

[Confederate State Capitol]

With over 30 restored historical buildings, it is easy to get lost in the past in this lovely setting.  The Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives is located here and provides resources for history and genealogy research.  Just a few of the historic buildings include the 1836 Hempstead Courthouse, Trimble House, Crouch House, a blacksmith shop, the Block-Catts House. You will even find carriage rides available.

Housed in an old 1936 building erected by the WPA, the history museum is focused on the history of old Independence County which once included today's counties of Baxter, Cleburne, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Marion, Poinsett, Sharp, Stone, White and Woodruff.  Located at 380 S. Ninth Street in Batesville, AR.

Jacksonport State Park   [Photos]

Arkansas Railroad Museum

Marks' Mills Battlefield & Cemetery

Clover Bend Museum  

Preserving the history of wine-making in Arkansas, the museum offers a glimpse into the past with it's display of wine making equipment, records and photographs.  With over 150 Arkansas wineries, the state has a heritage of early wine-making.  Visit the Cowie Wine Cellars while you are there.

Located on Highway 22 in Carbon City, AR. 

This historic re-creation of an early Ozark village pays tribute to the pioneers who settled here.  Containing 11 historic buildings which have been moved to the site from all over the Ozark mountains area, they are authentic as well as their contents.  Structures include cagins, a depot, a bank, blacksmith and coffin shop, a church and others.  Located near Bull Shoals Lake and Bull Shoals Caverns at 1011 C. S. Woods Blvd in Bull Shoals, Arkansas.

Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park

Antebellum and Historic Homes

McCollum - Chidester House  [Photos]

Built in 1847, the home was originally built for Peter McCollum.  In 1859 the house was sold to John Chidester.  The home saw the Civil War come and go and it was in the Chidester family for over 100 years.  Today, it houses the Ouachita County Historical Society and offers visitors a glimpse into the past days of Ouachita County, AR.  The home contains many original furnishings and antique household items.  Located at 926 Washington Street in Camden, AR.

Delta Cultural Center

The Depot Historical Museum

Moore Hornor House

Prairie County Museum

Features the history of the lower White River region of Arkansas.

Located at 2009 Main Street in Des Arc, AR.

Arkansas History Commission

Arkansas National Guard Museum

Learn the history of Camp Pike, Camp Robinson and the Arkansas National Guard.  Located at Lloyd England Hall on Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas, the museum offers displays and artifacts from these WWI and WWII military camps.

Arkansas State Capitol   [Photos]  [Touring]

Built as a replica of the US Capitol building, construction of the Arkansas Capitol was completed in 1915.  There are many memorials and confederate markers on the grounds.  Located on Capitol Avenue in downtown Little Rock, AR.

Clinton Presidential Center

Historic Arkansas Museum   [Photos and Exhibits]

The museum (previously known as the Arkansas Territorial Restoration Museum) is actually a complex of five restored 19th century houses located in downtown Little Rock.  The oldest building in Little Rock is the Hinderliter Grog Shop builg in the 1820s.  Other buildings are The Brownlee House, McVicar House, Plum Bayou Log House and the Old State House.  Featuring a living history program, this is a great way to get a fascinating glimpse into the early lifestyle of Little Rock, Arkansas.  Located at 200 E. Third Street in Little Rock, AR.

Little Rock Central High School National Historical Site

Well known in history as the place of protestation of integration which occurred in 1957.  The Visitors Center is located in an old Mobil service station on the corner of Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive and Park Street in Little Rock, AR.

MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History

Mosaic Templars Cultural Center - not yet open, destroyed by fire before it opened, have to rebuild.  For more information see: History, Photos and Preservation.

Museum of Black Arkansas and Performing Arts Center

Known as EMOBA, the museum is dedicated to bringing recognition to Afro Americans who played a significant part in the history of Arkansas.  One goal is to develop a Black Hall of Fame for black Arkansans.  Located at 12th and Louisiana in Little Rock, AR.

Old State House Museum of Arkansas   [Photos]

Designated as a National Historic Landmark, the Old State House is the oldest state capitol west of the Mississippi River which is still standing.  Major collections of Arkansas State Police artifacts, African-American quilts, Civil War battle flags and more are included in the exhibits.  Located at 300 West Markham in Little Rock, AR.

Quapaw Quarter 

[Historic District Map in PDF format]

Known as the most historic portion of Little Rock, preservation of these fine old homes has been the focus of the Quapaw Quarter Association.  Historic homes in this area include the Daniel-Peloubet House, Bartlett Cottage, Routh House, Murphy House, Elkins House, Rogers House, Augustus Garland House, William L. Terry House, Prather House, the Cornish House, Lewis House, Cox-Plunkett-Bateman House and others in the Quapaw area.

Trapnall Hall  [History]

The beautiful antebellum home was originally the home of Frederic and Martha Trapnall.  It is located at 423 E. Capitol in Little Rock, Arkansas.  It is available for rental and serves as a reception hall for the Governor of Arkansas.

Devoted to the preservation and display of the history of African American people of Randolph County, AR.  Housed in a 1919 building which has served as a church and a "colored school", the museum contains many memories of the African Americans of Pocahontas, Arkansas.  Located at 1708 Archer Street in Pocahontas, AR.

Randolph County Heritage Museum  

[History of Pocahontas & Randolph County]

[Exhibits and Photos]

Found in the historic city square of Pocahontas, AR, the museum contains artifacts and items related to the history of Randolph County.  Operated by the Five Rivers Historical Preservation Inc.  Located at 106 East Everett Street in Pocahontas, AR.

Gann Museum   [History and Photos]

Housed inside the historical office of Dr. Dewell Gann Sr., the museum features the history of Benton and Saline County, Arkansas.  Located at 218 South Market Street in Benton, AR.

Ft. Smith Air Museum

Located in the new Fort Smith Regional Airport Terminal with over 50 display cases honoring individual aviation pioneers and military aviators from the western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma area.

Fort Smith National Historic Site   [History & Photos]

The Fort Smith National Historic Site holds what remains of two forts.  One can walk along the Trail of Tears, see military exhibits in the Visitor Center, see the remains of the historical forts and step back in time to the Civil War, The Mexican War, and see Judge Parker's restored courtroom and the jail cells.  Located at 301 Parker Avenue in Fort Smith, AR.

Fort Smith Museum of History

Fort Smith Trolley Museum

Arkansas Air Museum

Arkansas Country Doctor Museum

Ozark Folkways Heritage Center   [History]

Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park   [Photo Tour]

Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

The museum offers some colorful history of the Northwest Arkansas Ozarks.  You will find 6 historical buildings in a park setting.  The include the Cooper Barn, Steele General Store, Dr. Carter's Office, Ritter-McDonald Cabin, Searcy House, and others. Located at 118 W. Johnson Avenue in Springdale, AR.

Tonitown History Museum   [History & Photos]

Washington County Historical Society - Historic sites:

1. Headquarters House Museum

2. Archibald Yell Law Office

3. The Ridge House

Museum Index for Other States

Arkansas Census Records