Governors of Arkansas exhibit opens at the Old State House Museum April 10

The Old State House Museum will open a fully re-designed Governors of Arkansas exhibit to the public during 2nd Friday Art Night from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 10.

The exhibit returns to its original location in the wing of the Old State House that served as offices for the governor and his staff, but it includes many modern updates and features, the museum said.

“We loved the idea of housing the governors’ exhibit in the actual location where our earliest governors served and worked,” Director Bill Gatewood said. “That’s part of the charm of the Old State House Museum – you are learning about history in the very spot where history was made.”

The updated exhibit includes wall-to-ceiling murals and infographics, along with cases stocked with campaign memorabilia, historical documents, governors’ personal effects and more. Each section is dedicated to a different point along the journeys to the governor’s mansion: origins, campaigns, inaugurations, terms in office and accomplishments after serving.

Thanks to new interactive kiosks, visitors can browse through a collection of images of all 46 governors and even become part of history by inserting themselves into newspaper photos from some of the state’s most historic moments.

Jay Barth, the M.E. and Ima Graves Peace Distinguished Professor of Politics at Hendrix College, served as guest curator.

“The Old State House exhibits about Arkansas’ governors and first ladies have always fascinated our visitors,” said Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. “The new interactive kiosks will really enhance their ability to get to know more about our first families.”

The Old State House Museum is located at 300 W. Markham in Little Rock.