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Chaffee Barbershop Museum: Where Elvis Met the Army

Step back in time to the Chaffee Barbershop Museum, where Elvis Presley received his famous Army haircut and discover Fort Chaffee's military history.

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Visit the Chaffee Barbershop Museum in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to see where Elvis Presley received his famous Army buzz cut in 1958. The museum also highlights Fort Chaffee's military history and its role as a resettlement center.

A brief summary to Chaffee Barbershop Museum

  • 7313 Terry St Bldg. #803, Fort Smith, Arkansas, 72916, US
  • +1479-452-4554

Local tips

  • Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
  • Check out the nearby Chaffee Crossing Entertainment District for shops and dining.
  • Visit the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, also in the Chaffee Historic District.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    The Chaffee Barbershop Museum is located at 7313 Terry St Bldg. #803, Fort Smith, AR 72916, within the Chaffee Crossing Historic District. From I-540, take Exit 11 and head east on Zero Street. Turn right at the Fort Chaffee entrance, across from the radio station. Follow the signs to the Chaffee Crossing Historic District. Parking is free.

  • Public Transport

    The Fort Smith Transit offers bus service to the Chaffee Crossing area. Check the Fort Smith Transit website for the most up-to-date routes and schedules. From the nearest bus stop, follow Terry Street to the museum. A single ride fare is $1.25.

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Discover more about Chaffee Barbershop Museum

The Chaffee Barbershop Museum, located in the Chaffee Crossing Historic District of Fort Smith, Arkansas, commemorates the day Elvis Presley received his iconic Army haircut on March 25, 1958, when he was inducted into the U.S. Army. The museum isn't just for Elvis fans; it also showcases Fort Chaffee's rich military history. Visitors can explore a recreated 1950s-style barbershop, complete with classic chairs, mirrors, and tools, and view Elvis Presley memorabilia, including personal military items, photos, and documents from his time at Fort Chaffee. The museum also features exhibits detailing the soldiers who trained at Fort Chaffee over the decades and original tools used to build Fort Chaffee in 1941, offering insight into its rapid construction during WWII. Beyond Elvis, the museum highlights Fort Chaffee's 70-year history, including its role in five wars, housing German POWs, Cuban refugees, and relocated Vietnamese citizens. Artifacts from U.S. Army operations and memorabilia from movies filmed at the base, such as *Biloxi Blues* and *The Tuskegee Airmen*, are also on display. The Camp Chaffee Historic District, which includes the museum, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.

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