3 Museums for Fun Day in Springdale, AR

When we think of an enriching family activity that most people enjoy, visiting a museum comes to mind, especially when the kids are out on school break. There are many good reasons to visit museums, from learning something fascinating and new to supporting your local historical societies. Here in Springdale AR, we are lucky to have several well-maintained museum spaces for learning about our area. Here are just a few of our favorites. more 1. Reilly P. McCarren Railroad Museum The Reilly P. McCarren Railroad Museum opened in 2016 to share the knowledge and history of the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad. Located in Springdale at 306 E. Emma Ave, this railroad museum offers an in-depth look at local railroad history and allows visitors to hang out inside real-life vintage train cars. The Reilly P. McCarren Railroad Museum offers free entry and is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. 2. Clinton House Museum The Clinton House Museum is located only a short drive away in Fayetteville. Clinton House is a historic house museum built in 1931 and is the first home of former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Inside the charming Tudor Revival home, you can see exhibitions on the life of the Clintons during their time teaching at the University of Arkansas. The Clinton House Museum is located at 930 W. Clinton Dr. and is open Thursday through Saturday. 3. Shiloh Museum of Ozark History Located in the heart of Springdale at 118 W. Johnson Ave, the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History aims to share and preserve the stories of Arkansas Ozark life. The Shiloh Museum presents curated exhibits depicting the everyday lives of early area settlers to the present day. So, why not load the family into your Mitsubishi Outlander for a day at the museum? The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. 4. Rogers Historical Museum If you take just a short drive up to nearby Rogers, you will find the Rogers Historical Museum at 313 2nd St., open Tuesday through Saturday. The Rogers Historical Museum is dedicated to sharing the rich heritage of Northwest Arkansas and its inhabitants. The Rogers museum has a wonderful children's section to keep the kiddos busy, but the entire family is sure to enjoy their day. After a fun-filled day learning about our local history, visit us at Rath Mitsubishi to look at our superior inventory of new and used vehicles. At Rath Mitsubishi, you can count on us to help you find the perfect car suited to your lifestyle, and we look forward to meeting you soon.

Need to plan a day out that will be both fun for the whole family and educational? Well, you won't have to go very far. Take a ride down to the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History and learn the rich history that has occurred right here in the Arkansas Ozarks. Let's take a closer look at some of this history and show you exactly what you can expect to find on your visit to the museum. Prehistoric Ozarks It can be easy to take for granted the fact that people have lived in this same land for thousands of years. You'll be astounded by artifacts left by Ice Age nomads as much as 15,000 years ago. You'll see the hunting tools they used to take down mighty beasts such as the mastodon and the musk ox, as well as examples of the cave art these prehistoric people left behind in their travels. more As the climate in the Ozarks became warmer after the end of the Ice Age, these nomadic hunters began to settle down in one place, and their lifestyle changed accordingly. You can see the implements they used to gather nuts and berries, and the fishing tools they used to make a living off the rivers. This area was left almost entirely depopulated by disease by the time European settlers arrived here, leaving many questions that remain a mystery today. From Early Settlers to the Civil War As European settlers arrived along the eastern coast and in the Cherokee heartlands, Osage Indian settlers moved into the Ozarks to find new land to work. They established the area's first farmsteads, orchards, and mills, and you'll see tools and other artifacts leftover from this first agricultural society to dwell in our region. In 1828 the Arkansas Territory was officially opened for settlement, driving the Osage further west. Less than half a century later, the Civil War came to Arkansas. This time period is also around when early cameras came in to use, and some of the museum's impressive 500,000 photographs in the Mary D. Parsons Photograph Collection document the people who lived right here where our neighborhoods stand today. Modern Times That collection of photographs continues to document life in the Ozarks right up until the present day. There are great examples of memorabilia from earlier 20th century residents of the region, like a jigsaw puzzle from the 1930s or a vintage camera that long predates digital technology. There are also fascinating war relics, such as a World War I poster and a “Patriot” radio used to get the latest news from the front in World War II. Learning this local history will show you the deep roots our community is founded upon. We try to keep that sense of community alive with how we do business. Come on in and see what difference that makes in your dealership experience. Stop by at Rath Mitsubishi today and let us help you!

If you want to explore the area around Springdale, Arkansas, you can find several fascinating places that are worth a visit. Plan your next day trip to one of the following locations for an enjoyable experience with your loved ones. Note: Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, please verify the current state of operations for attractions described in the sections below by contacting the businesses directly. more 1. Bentonville Bentonville is about 20 miles outside of Springdale and is best known for being the birthplace and world headquarters of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The world's largest retailer started in this city, which has a population of slightly more than 51,000 people. Learn more about the history of the global brand at the Wal-Mart Museum housed in the old five and dime store that started it all. Exhibits chronicle the history of Sam and Helen Walton's move to the city and how the brand grew to its incarnation today. Even the kids might enjoy this museum as they can view a collection of vintage toys on display. Bentonville also houses the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the please-touch Scott Family Amazeum children's museum, one of the homes designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and a museum dedicated to Native American history. Bentonville is a fascinating place with a rich heritage and plenty of history. 2. Siloam Springs Siloam Springs, about 25 miles from Springdale, is another spot for a day trip. Bob Henry Park, a fun place to spend some time, features a playground for the kids and tennis and volleyball courts. If you want to explore the natural surroundings, visit Natural Falls State Park. Located off U.S. Highway 412 outside the town limits, this park offers appealing amenities for visitors. The attraction gets its name from the fantastic waterfalls you can view from the hiking trails. Other amenities include a playground, covered picnic areas, and plenty of parking. If you want the best view of the waterfall, head up the Dripping Falls trail. 3. Eureka Springs Plan a visit to Eureka Springs, located about 40 miles northeast of Springdale. This small town has a historic downtown area where you can view beautiful architecture and walk through structures that make you feel like you've taken a step back in time. The Blue Spring Heritage Center is a botanical garden and site located on the Trail of Tears. Connect with the natural beauty and surroundings, as well as view the wonder of the blue spring, which has more than 38 million gallons of water flowing through its lagoon every day. Thorncrown Chapel is the spot to visit in Eureka Springs if you want to see a fascinating piece of architecture. This chapel won an award for its architectural style in 1980, showcasing crossed metal pieces set in front of tall glass walls. The grounds surrounding the chapel are also quite forested and peaceful, providing a serene place to get away from the bustle of daily life. Whether you want to explore the great outdoors or learn more about the area around your town, you can enjoy many attractions and locations near Springdale. As you're planning a day trip to get out and explore, add the above places to your must-see list. Image via Pixabay.com