Museums

See things you’ve never seen before

The Ozark Gateway Region is steeped in history, and much of it has been preserved in the many museums that dot the area. It’s all here, from historical exhibits, regional items and hard-to-find Civil War memorabilia to Indian artifacts, antique cars, paddle boats, dolls and famous courthouses. History is alive and well at the Ozark Folk Center State Park, where thousands of visitors each year enjoy the traditional mountain culture, crafts, and music with a variety of exciting festivals.

More than a museum with static artifacts, the Folk Center provides a hands-on introduction to the lifestyles and traditions that once flourished in the Ozark Mountains and, in some cases, still do today. Through workshops, music, dancing and exhibits, the center preserves and displays the cultural and social history of the Ozark region, which extends through Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

The Mark Martin Museum

The Mark Martin Museum in Batesville, named for and created by the legendary NASCAR driver, features some of Martin’s past cars, including the No. 6 Viagra Coca-Cola 600 win car, the ’90 Folgers Thunderbird, the No. 60 Win Dixie Busch car, the 2005 IROC car Martin used to win his record fifth championship, and the ’89 Stroh’s Thunderbird.

You’ll also find some of Martin’s personal photo books, a selection of his race helmets and firesuits and thousands of newspaper articles chronicling his rise from local dirt tracks to NASCAR fame. Visit MarkMartinMuseum.com for more information.

Old Independence Regional Museum

In less than a decade, Old Independence Regional Museum has established itself as user-friendly, community-driven, and outreach-oriented. The museum has gained a considerable statewide reputation for its exhibits, public programs, archive and steadily expanding permanent collections. The museum also anchors and enriches the historical discussions, research, and writing that seem as common in Batesville as talk of the Cubs is in Chicago, or the Steelers in Pittsburgh. In this community where history is both cherished and celebrated, the museum and its busy calendar of programs and activities are never far from the conversation. Visit www.oirm.org for more information.

Maynard Pioneer Museum and Park

Located in Maynard on Highway 115 approximately 13 miles from Pocahontas – Host to Annual Pioneer Days Craft Fair and Festival each September. The Park is open from early May to mid-September. There is a log cabin furnished with donated pieces from the pioneer day to the early 1900’s as well as a log church on the grounds. The Maynard City jail is another attraction. It was built completely of concrete, had no heat or bathroom and measures 6 feet by 10 feet. Lawbreakers were incarcerated here from 1936 until 1953. Those who stayed never wanted to return.

Eddie Mae Herron Center

Named after Miss Eddie Mae Herron, who was a teacher at the former St. Mary’s Church / Pocahontas Colored School. The Center has been restored by former students and local people who knew Miss Eddie Mae. She was the teacher for African American children who attended between 1948 – 1965. The former school now serves as a museum and education center that tells the story of African American history in Randolph County. It is the hub for African Americans in Pocahontas and is used by the community for different activities, political speakers, pie auctions, and activities for Black History Month. Visit herroncenter.org for more information.

The Randolph County Heritage Museum

Located at 106 E. Everett Street in downtown Pocahontas. It tells the story of the Randolph County area from its earliest history to the present. Using both permanent and transitory exhibits, lecture presentations, interactive exhibits, and other informational programs, the museum truly is a living education forum linking the present day to Randolph County’s rich and varied past of “firsts.” Come to the Ozarks, and see the history you’ve been missing! Visit randolphcomuseum.org for more information.

Arkansas Rock ‘N’ Roll Highway 67 Museum

Vintage photos and other memorabilia from former clubs the Silver Moon, Porky’s Roof Top, and King of Clubs. In the 1950s, clubs and joints along this stretch of highway from Newport to Pocahontas played host to Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Conway Twitty, Sonny Burgess and Billy Lee Riley.

Wings of Honor Museum

The WRAFS Museum was established in 1999 for the purpose of preserving the rich history of the Walnut Ridge Army Flying School, the Marine Corps Air Facility at Walnut Ridge, the War Assets Administration’s Warbird Storage, Sales and Scrapping Facility, and the USAF 725th Radar Squadron; and to remember and honor those civilian and military personnel who served to maintain our freedom.

Hardy Museum

The Hardy History Museum opened its doors to the public on May 28, 2021 and welcomed both visitors and locals to come in and share our heritage. In 2025, Hardy will celebrate its 140th year as a city, and since our dream of a history museum has become a reality, we have accumulated so many things to share with you – our history in words and pictures, physical pieces of the past that have been collected and preserved, and soon a living history library of video stories and knowledge from people who remember Hardy the way it was and have graced us with their memories. It is our hope that through this website we can share much of this with you online as we acquire it and also interest you in sharing with us any historical memorabilia, memories, time and monetary donations that you have to offer. 
 
We also encourage you to join the Hardy History Association, which offers monthly meetings live on Facebook to those who can’t attend in person and a quarterly newsletter to inform and entertain you. Visit their website for more information.

Select the pins or location links below to get directions.

Mark Martin Ford, 1601, Batesville Boulevard, Dennison Heights, Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas, 72501

Old Independence Regional Museum, 380, South 9th Street, Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas, 72501

Randolph County Heritage Museum, 106, East Everett Street, Pocahontas, Randolph County, Arkansas, 72455

104, Main Street, Calico Rock, Izard County, Arkansas, 72519

Wings of Honor Museum, 70, South Beacon Road, College City, Walnut Ridge, Lawrence County, Arkansas, 72476

Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, 1, Capitol Mall, Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, 72201

Mammoth Spring State Park, Mammoth Spring, Fulton County, Arkansas

119, East Main Street, Hardy, Sharp County, Arkansas, 72542

Rock and Roll Highway 67 Museum, 201, Hazel Street, Newport, Jackson County, Arkansas, 72112

Hardy History Association, Inc.

P.O. Box 369. Hardy, AR 72542

870-847-5273

Website

Powhatan Historic State Park

4414 Hwy 25, Powhatan, AR 72458

Website

Mammoth Spring State Park

P.O. Box 36, Mammoth Spring, AR 72554

870-625-7364

Website

Facebook

Arkansas Rock ‘N’ Roll Highway 67 Museum

201 Hazel Street, Newport, AR 72112

870-523-1009

Website

Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, & Tourism

1 Capitol Mall Little Rock, AR 72201

1-888-287-2757 (V/TT) / info@arkansas.com

Website

Facebook

Wings of Honor Museum

70 South Beacon Road Walnut Ridge, AR 72476

800-584-5575 870-886-6748/ 870-886-2481

Website

Calico Rock Museum Foundation

104 Main Street, Calico Rock, AR 72519

870-297-6100

Website

Randolph County Heritage Museum

106 East Everett St. Pocahontas, AR 72455

(870) 892-4056

Website

Old Independence Regional Museum

380 S. 9th St. Batesville, AR 72501

(870) 793-2121

Website

Mark Martin Ford-Mercury, Inc.

1601 Batesville Blvd. Batesville, AR 72501

1-800-566-4461

Website

Maynard Pioneer Museum

Maynard, AR

Website