Marshals Museum visitor numbers up more than 5% in 2025

The U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith grew steadily in 2025, leaving administrators feeling positive about the years to come. Admission for calendar year 2024 was approximately 45,300. In 2025, that number grew 5.3% to 47,700, said Ben Johnson, museum president and CEO.

“We’ve experienced consistent growth in organized group tours over the past year, including school groups, law enforcement organizations, and heritage tourism travelers,” Johnson said. “These visits are especially important to our mission, as they allow us to deliver deeper educational experiences focused on the history of the U.S. Marshals Service, the Constitution, and the rule of law.”

The museum’s audience also continues to increase in national scope, Johnson said.

“While we remain a strong regional destination for visitors across Arkansas, Oklahoma, and the broader Southeast, we are seeing growing attendance from across the country, along with a notable number of international visitors. This reflects the unique national significance of the museum and the global recognition of the Marshals Service,” he said.

The museum intends to expand its focus on awareness and access in the coming years, Johnson said. Staff is actively building new partnerships, enhancing national outreach, and investing in programming that will bring the museum experience to the broader public, he said.

At the same time, they are working to reduce barriers to entry—particularly for young people—so that more visitors can engage with this important history, Johnson said.

“Overall, we feel very encouraged by our progress since opening. As with any new museum, there are always opportunities to improve, particularly in expanding national visibility and continuing to grow visitation during non-peak travel periods. Our priority is long-term sustainability and impact, and we are confident in the trajectory we’re on,” he said.

In March 2026, the museum announced a national fundraising campaign with a goal of at least $24 million. The core of the campaign is a dollar-for-dollar $12 million anonymous matching grant. According to a museum statement, the “A New Frontier of Giving” campaign will help the museum improve access, civic education, and better manage the history of the nation’s first federal law enforcement agency.

The museum had to make “difficult choices” in 2025 to respond to a downturn in visitors, Johnson said in June. The museum reduced the employee numbers by 2.5 full-time equivalent positions, leaving the museum with 17 employees.

The 53,000-square-foot museum is located near the Arkansas River in downtown Fort Smith. The museum opened on July 1, 2023, after 16 years of fundraising, construction and speculation. In January 2007, the U.S. Marshals Service selected Fort Smith as the site for the national museum. The Robbie Westphal family, led by Bennie Westphal and Robin Westphal Clegg, donated the riverfront land for the museum. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held in September 2015.

The museum is a nonprofit that does not receive operating funds from the city, state or federal government.