Information
Landmark: Old State House MuseumCity: Little Rock
Country: USA Arkansas
Continent: North America
Old State House Museum, Little Rock, USA Arkansas, North America
Overview
Right in the middle of downtown Little Rock, the Old State House Museum stands as Arkansas’s oldest surviving capitol west of the Mississippi, a brick-and-column landmark steeped in the state’s history.Built between 1833 and 1842, architect Gideon Shryock gave it a Greek Revival design-an early 19th-century style known for its clean symmetry, tall columns, and balanced classical proportions.The building was Arkansas’s state capitol until 1911, when the new marble-domed capitol opened its doors.After sitting empty for a while, with only a few rooms in use, it was restored and welcomed visitors as a museum in 1951.The nation took notice of its significance in 1997, when officials named it a National Historic Landmark, sealing its place in history.The Old State House has stood at the heart of Arkansas history, hosting pivotal moments from fiery debates to landmark decisions.In 1836, Arkansas officially joined the Union, the decision echoing through its candle-lit chambers.During the Civil War, the building bustled with meetings from both Confederate and Unionist officials, a stark reminder of the bitter divide tearing through the state.Decades later, it turned into a modern political landmark-Bill Clinton stood on the Old State House steps in 1991 to announce his run for president, then returned to those same worn stone steps to celebrate his 1992 and 1996 wins.These moments highlight how the building still anchors the city’s civic and political life, its stone steps worn smooth by decades of public gatherings.The Old State House showcases Greek Revival style with its balanced façade, a grand portico framed by tall, dignified columns, and stonework carved in patterns that recall the elegance of ancient temples.Locally quarried stone shapes its exterior, lending the building a sturdy grace, like sun-warmed rock under your hand.Inside, the museum showcases restored legislative chambers filled with polished wood desks, ornate carvings, and artifacts that bring 19th-century political life into sharp focus.You’ll find the original House and Senate chambers, a sunlit central hall, and rooms carefully recreated to capture the look and daily life of government in the 1800s.Tall ceilings, generous windows, and intricate moldings create a feeling of grandeur, all while staying true to the home’s historic character.The museum showcases an ever-changing mix of permanent displays and temporary exhibits, giving visitors a vivid look at Arkansas’s social, political, and cultural past-right down to a weathered campaign poster tucked in the corner.On display are battle flags, the inaugural gowns worn by Arkansas’s First Ladies, handmade local pottery, and vibrant African-American quilts, each telling its own story of the state’s heritage.The Arkansas DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) Room brings to life an elegant 18th‑century parlor, filled with genuine period furniture and delicate carved trim.All year long, special exhibits come and go, shining a spotlight on Arkansas’s history-from the hum of local industries to the stories of remarkable people and the celebrations that shaped its towns.Visitors can discover the Old State House on an engaging guided tour-offered every hour and lasting about 50 minutes-or wander at their own pace with a map in hand and a mobile guide for quick facts.As they wander through the museum, guests pass glass cases of worn leather books, step past rooms filled with period-perfect furniture, and pause at artifacts that bring the past vividly to life.Visitors’ eyes are often pulled to the rotunda and central hall, where sweeping space meets intricate plasterwork-curves and flourishes carved as fine as lace.The museum opens its doors to everyone for free, drawing history buffs, curious school groups, and folks who just wander in from the street.The Old State House Museum sits at 300 W, right in the heart of the city, where traffic hums and the sidewalks stay busy.Markham Street runs right through the heart of downtown Little Rock, where the air smells faintly of fresh coffee from the corner café.Thanks to its central spot, you can stroll to the Robinson Center, wander along the Arkansas River Trail, or explore nearby parks and cultural sites.It’s the perfect spot to pair a museum visit with a walk along Little Rock’s brick-lined historic streets, grab a bite at a local café, or wander among nearby monuments and shaded public squares.The Old State House Museum shines as an architectural gem and hums with the stories of Arkansas’s political and social past, from fiery debates in its echoing halls to celebrations on its front steps.Visitors can step into the past here, exploring everything from the state’s first halls of governance and the grit of Civil War days to pivotal modern political moments, all inside a building whose oak doors have opened for more than 180 years.
