Blue Star Museums in Arkansas

Blue Star Museums in Arkansas
by Carolynn Waites
Jun 1, 2014

Service Members Receive Free Admission at Select Arkansas Museums This Summer

On May 21, 2014, the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families announced the launch of the fifth year of Blue Star Museums. This outstanding program offers free admission to American service members and their families at over 2,000 museums across the United States. The free admission is available from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2014. Here are the participating museums in Arkansas.

Delta Gateway Museum (Blytheville)
The Delta Gateway Museum is a regional heritage museum that exhibits historical and cultural objects and works of art that relate to the region, one of the most fertile agricultural areas of the world. The historic arch located at the Arkansas-Missouri state line inspires the name of the museum. The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday. It is located in the historic Kress Building at 210 West Main Street, Blytheville, Arkansas 72315.

Clinton House Museum (Fayetteville)
Bill and Hillary Clinton’s first house is now the Clinton House Museum. They were married in the living room in 1975. The museum features memorabilia, photos, documents, and videos from early in former President Bill Clinton’s political career. The museum is open Monday through Saturday. The address is 930 West Clinton Drive, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701.

Fort Smith Regional Art Museum (Fort Smith)
The Fort Smith Regional Art Museum dedicates itself to providing new and diverse experiences to visitors and cultivating imagination, innovation, and discussion among people of all ages and backgrounds. The museum moved into its new building in January of 2013, which allowed for expansion of its programs and exhibitions. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday. It is located at 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901.

Arkansas Arts Center (Little Rock)
Founded in 1960, the Arkansas Arts Center is an art museum with a children’s theater and a studio school. The museum has a notable permanent collection and it presents visiting exhibits and educational programs. It is open Tuesday through Sunday. The museum is located in MacArthur Park at 501 E 9th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203.

Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center (Piggott)
The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center focuses on the Pfeiffer family and their son-in-law Ernest Hemingway during the 1920s and 1930s. This includes promoting and supporting interest in literature and excellence in writing. It also serves as the Visitor Center for the northern end of Crowley’s Parkway, the first National Scenic Byway in Arkansas. The museum is open Monday through Saturday. The address is 1021 West Cherry Street, Piggott, Arkansas 72454.

Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Historical Museum (Pine Bluff)
The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Historical Museum honors those who settled the area, fought to keep it safe, and fought for freedom. The museum covers two centuries of change in the area. It highlights early settlements, industries, and transportation. Service men and women are honored from the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. It is open Wednesday through Friday. The museum is located at 201 East 4th Avenue, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601.

River Valley Arts Center (Russellville)
Located in Russellville’s City Park, the River Valley Arts Center features an art gallery and classes for kids and adults. A memorial garden provides a beautiful, peaceful place for reflection. The center works to promote interest in the arts and culture and improve the quality of life of residents in the area through the arts. The center is open Monday through Friday. It is located at 1001 East B Street, Russellville, Arkansas 72801.