A traveling exhibit developed by Arkansas Heritage Old State House Museum based on the acclaimed exhibit and book by Brooks Blevins will be on display at Fort Smith Museum of History's Boyd Gallery June 2 - 30, 2026 Arkansas became a state 190 years ago on June 15, 1836. Since then, the state has been called isolated, lawless, rural, and untamed - but it's also known as The Wonder State, the Land of Opportunity, and the Natural State. But why? This exhibit examines the myths

Free outdoor event for all ages in downtown Fort Smith Special programs and weapons demonstrations at NHS grounds & Visitor Center Free museum entrance, food trucks, & family events at Fort Smith Museum of History Special guest speakers, flag raising ceremony, and meet & greet veterans & survivors A collaboration of the Fort Smith Museum of History, Fort Smith National Historic Site, Miss Laura's Brothel Museum, and Chaffee Crossing Barbershop Museum Part of AR250 - celebra

February 16, 2026 -- Washington Cemetery -- Fort Smith, AR Six inches of snow stood there just three weeks before, but on the third Monday in February - Daisy Gaston Bates Day in Arkansas - the weather at Fort Smith's Washington Cemetery was 70° with a cool breeze and bright sunshine all day. We sometimes venture beyond our building downtown to see how folks in our region - Arkansas's Sebastian, Crawford, and Franklin Counties and Oklahoma's Sequoyah and Le Flore counties