Rogers Historical Museum's current exhibits. Free admission. Visit soon!

CURRENT EXHIBITS

PERMANENT GALLERIES

Five galleries that survey the history of Rogers from pre-history to today.

Natural State explores the geography of Northwest Arkansas, how this natural landscape attracted early settlers, and then went on to shape our area's economy.
Road and Rail takes a look at the early days of urbanization of Northwest Arkansas and the establishment of Rogers in 1881 with the coming of the railroad.
America's Heartland features life in Rogers during the first half of the twentieth century, including some of the people, businesses, and organizations that made their home here.
White River examines life along the White River, including the rural communities that made their home on the river, William “Coin” Harvey and his Monte Ne resort town, and how the building of Beaver Dam and the creation of Beaver Lake impacted the landscape, growth, and economy of Northwest Arkansas.
Our Place features highlights of Rogers’ more recent past through objects and newspaper clippings from the 1960s to early 2000s.

HAWKINS HOUSE

Take a step back in time with a guided tour of the museum's Hawkins House, a middle-class Victorian brick house built on the corner of Second and Cherry Streets in Rogers, Arkansas in 1895. Over a period of 79 years, three generations of the Hawkins family lived in the house. In 1980, the house was acquired by the City of Rogers and in 1982 became home to the Rogers Historical Museum. The house was restored in 1995 to reflect its original architectural design and furnished with circa 1900 period items from the museum’s collection.

Museum tours are provided upon request, Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Museum visitors may inquire about the Hawkins House guided tour at the Hailey Building visitor services information desk or at the Key Wing Education Center entrance.

VERA'S VICTORIAN GARDEN

Take a stroll through Vera's Victorian Garden, located in the Museum's south lawn at the corner of Second and Cherry Streets. This garden was created in 1989 in memory to Vera Key, the Museum's co-founder and first chair of the Museum Commission.

In 2023, the garden was transformed into a Victorian flower garden as an educational extension of the historic 1895 Hawkins House and renamed Vera's Victorian Garden.

CLICK HERE to learn more.

FIRST STREET DISPLAY

Take a stroll along this small street scene in the Key Wing Education Center classroom that replicates several businesses–a dry goods store, barbershop and a bank–that once lined First Street in Rogers.

THE CABOOSE

Located in Downtown Rogers at the corner of First and Cherry Streets in the Butterfly Park, this retired caboose from the Frisco railroad was gifted to the City of Rogers in 1981 in celebration of the city's centennial anniversary.

Visit the caboose to experience a part of Rogers' railroad history for yourself. Visitors are welcome to climb the steps and turn the brake wheel, but the interior of the caboose is currently closed for maintenance.

TEMPORARY EXHIBITS

Last Call: History of Alcohol in the Ozarks
March 15-November 9, 2024

Take a peek into the tangled history of alcohol laws in Northwest Arkansas from the 1800s to today. From moonshiners of the Ozark hills, to the energetic women of the temperance movement, Arkansas has had a complicated relationship with alcohol. See how the legacy of this historic battle between “wets” and “drys” extends to the present day, and how Northwest Arkansas has weathered the journey.

Building Rogers
August 31, 2024 - March 1, 2025

Explore the early architectural heritage of Rogers from 1881-1950s. Learn about the architects and builders who created many of Rogers’ businesses, churches, public buildings, and homes through a display of photographs, documents, and building related objects from the museum’s collections that highlight Rogers’ architectural past.

FOR CHILDREN

Get your hands on history! The museum offers two hands-on spaces, The Attic and Children's Gallery, where children of all ages can play and explore objects from the past.

**Adult supervision is required at all times in both play areas. **

THE ATTIC

Located in the Key Wing Education Center, The Attic is dedicated to educating through touch by allowing children to dress up, 'cook' on a vintage stove, use a vintage typewriter, and discover many more objects from the early 20th century.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Some of the vintage objects found in The Attic are timeworn and/or have fragile, small parts which make them susceptible to breaking. Even with careful handling, we understand that this is what happens when objects are used and enjoyed over and over again. Please let a museum staff member or volunteer know about any broken objects so they may be repaired or replaced.

CHILDREN'S GALLERY

The Children’s Gallery is a fun place where kids can play and explore historic Rogers landmarks. This space can be found in the Hailey Building exhibit galleries and includes a slide reminiscent of the old Rogers High School fire escape slide, a fully-stocked mid-century kitchen, a workshop filled with tools and wood-working projects, and a "Harris Baking Company" bakery.

GET INVOLVED

The Museum displays small exhibits at locations across Northwest Arkansas. Listed below are the exhibit names, locations and times when you can view each exhibit.

EARLY POULTRY INDUSTRY OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Location: Adult Wellness Center (The Adult Wellness Center is open to members only)
Address: 2001 West Persimmon, Rogers AR
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

ROGERS FIRE DEPARTMENT
Location: Center for Nonprofits at St. Mary's
Address: 1200 West Walnut, Rogers AR
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHAT'S IT?
Location: Rogers Public Library
Address: 711 S. Dixieland Road, Rogers AR
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. & Friday - Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

LAND OF THE BIG RED APPLE
Location: Rogers Executive Airport
Address: Hwy 62 East, Airport Drive # 3

CURRENT EXHIBITS

PERMANENT GALLERIES

HAWKINS HOUSE

VERA'S VICTORIAN GARDEN

FIRST STREET DISPLAY

THE CABOOSE

TEMPORARY EXHIBITS

FOR CHILDREN

THE ATTIC

CHILDREN'S GALLERY

GET INVOLVED

ONLINE EXHIBITS

LET'S STAY IN TOUCH

HOURS

TELEPHONE

EMAIL

ADDRESS

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