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Plantation Agriculture Museum: A Glimpse into Arkansas's Cotton Heritage

Explore Arkansas's cotton-farming history at this unique museum featuring exhibits, a gin, and a seed warehouse.

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The Plantation Agriculture Museum in Scott, Arkansas, preserves the state's cotton agriculture history from 1836 through World War II. Exhibits in a restored 1912 general store, a cotton gin, and a seed warehouse showcase the lives of those who worked the land, from enslaved people and sharecroppers to plantation owners.

A brief summary to Plantation Agriculture Museum

  • Wednesday 8 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 8 am-5 pm
  • Friday 8 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 8 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 1 pm-5 pm

Local tips

  • Allow at least two hours to fully explore the museum, including the main building, gin exhibit, and seed warehouse.
  • Check the museum's website or call ahead for information on temporary exhibits and special events.
  • Consider visiting during the annual Antique Tractor & Engine Show, a free event held the first Saturday after Labor Day.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    The Plantation Agriculture Museum is located at 4815 AR-161, Scott, AR 72142. From Little Rock, take I-440 East to Exit 7. Turn south onto US-165 and drive for approximately 5 miles. Turn south onto AR-161; the museum is one block away. Parking is available on-site. There is no fee to park.

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Discover more about Plantation Agriculture Museum

Located in Scott, approximately 20 miles southeast of Little Rock, the Plantation Agriculture Museum offers a window into Arkansas's rich agricultural past. The museum focuses on the cotton era, from Arkansas' statehood in 1836 to the mechanization of farming practices around World War II. The museum is housed in a series of buildings, each contributing to the story of cotton agriculture. The main museum is in the restored 1912 Steele-Dortch Store, which once served as a general store and later a post office. Exhibits here detail the year-round process of cotton farming, from plowing and planting to cultivating and picking. Visitors can also explore the Dortch Gin Exhibit, which features a 1916 cotton gin. This exhibit showcases the process of separating cotton fibers from seeds, a crucial step in cotton production. Seed Warehouse No. 5, built in 1948 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, displays the storage and bagging of seeds for the Robert L. Dortch Seed Farms. The warehouse's design includes unique features like sloping sides to accommodate the shape of seed piles. Outside, the museum features a collection of antique tractors and farm implements, offering a glimpse into the evolution of agricultural technology. The museum also hosts temporary exhibits and offers interpretive programs, providing a deeper understanding of Arkansas's agricultural heritage.

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