Fort Smith, Arkansas, has a great and varied history. There are plenty of places where you can travel back the last hundreds of years and learn where we came from as a nation and a people.
Here are some of the best places to discover Fort Smith’s history.
1. Fort Smith Museum of History
The Fort Smith Museum of History is one of the best museums in the area if you want to look into the town’s past.
The museum was established in 1910 and has amassed a collection of important historical items. Experience life in the 1920s to 1940s as you travel through a pharmacy and ice cream shop. Learn about the lives of great citizens and their accomplishments as they helped build the nation.
Tickets are $7 for adults and $2 for children. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2. Fort Smith Trolley Museum
To get a look into the history of transportation, the Fort Smith Trolley Museum is a must-see destination.
Its collection of electric streetcars, passenger train cars, freight cars, locomotives, work equipment, and motor buses are all on display and ready for visitors to explore.
The Fort Smith Trolley Museum is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the winter.
3. The Clayton House
Stepping into the Clayton House is like stepping into 1882.
The house is a great example of the area’s Victorian-style architecture. Take a guided tour through the home to explore the ins and outs of life in the 19th century.
The Clayton House is open Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children.
4. Fort Smith National Historic Site
This is where the town gets its name from. The original Fort Smith was established Dec. 25, 1817.
This is the best way to travel back to the American frontier and the beginnings of the Indian Territory. You’ll learn about soldiers, the Trail of Tears, executions, outlaws, and more.
Fort Smith National Historic Site is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week, and the visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 a person to see the exhibits inside the visitor center, but walking around the grounds is free.
5. Belle Grove Historic District
The Belle Grove Historic District is a beautiful collection of antique architecture styles from 130 years of history.
Belle Grove has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973. You’ll rarely get a chance to see such a collection of buildings embodying different styles of architecture, including Colonial Revival, French Colonial, Italianate, Carpenter Gothic, Queen Anne, Eastlake, and Mission.
The Belle Grove neighborhood covers 22 square blocks between North Fifth Street, North H Street, North Eighth Street, and North C Street.
Exploring the history behind the city of Fort Smith is a great experience and educational opportunity. Take some time to see everything the town has to offer!
Image via Flickr by aquiamigo
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