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Chaffee Barbershop Museum: Where Elvis Got His Buzz Cut

Relive Elvis's Army induction and explore military history at the Chaffee Barbershop Museum in Fort Smith's historic Fort Chaffee district.

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Step back in time at the Chaffee Barbershop Museum, located in Fort Smith, Arkansas' Chaffee Historic District. See where Elvis Presley received his famous Army haircut in 1958 and explore exhibits detailing Fort Chaffee's military history and cultural impact.

A brief summary to Chaffee Barbershop Museum

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

Local tips

  • Visit during the week for a less crowded experience.
  • Check out the Chaffee Crossing Farmers & Artisans Market held monthly on Saturdays from May to October in the museum parking lot.
  • Don't miss the Museum of Chaffee History and the Vietnam Veterans Museum in the same historic district.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Fort Smith Convention Center, walk southeast on Rogers Avenue for about 1.5 miles. Turn left onto Terry Street; the museum is at 7313 Terry St Bldg. #803 on the right. Allow approximately 30 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    From downtown Fort Smith, take Fort Smith Transit bus route 1 northbound on Garrison Avenue. Transfer to bus route 3 at 7th Street and Rogers Avenue, heading towards the Fort Smith Regional Airport. Get off at the Terry Street stop and walk west for about 5 minutes to 7313 Terry St Bldg. #803. A single ride on Fort Smith Transit costs $1.25.

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Discover more about Chaffee Barbershop Museum

The Chaffee Barbershop Museum, nestled within the Chaffee Crossing Historic District in Fort Smith, Arkansas, commemorates a unique intersection of military history and pop culture. Opened in 2008, the museum's centerpiece is the meticulously restored barbershop where Elvis Presley received his iconic G.I. buzz cut on March 25, 1958, upon his induction into the U.S. Army. This event, dubbed "the haircut heard 'round the world," marked a significant moment in the King of Rock 'n' Roll's career and American cultural history. Visitors can stand in the very spot where Elvis traded his signature pompadour for a military-style haircut. The museum displays photos, news footage, and memorabilia from that historic day, including the camera that captured the event and a letter from the National Archives. Beyond its Elvis connection, the museum explores Fort Chaffee's broader military legacy. Established in 1941, the fort played a vital role in training soldiers for World War II and subsequent conflicts. Exhibits showcase Fort Chaffee's involvement in five wars, its time as a resettlement center for refugees from Vietnam and Cuba, and its use as a filming location for Hollywood movies like "Biloxi Blues" and "The Tuskegee Airmen". The museum also houses the largest collection of Fort Chaffee artifacts in the United States. The Chaffee Crossing Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2011, offers free admission and parking. Nearby attractions include the Museum of Chaffee History and the Vietnam Veterans Museum, providing a comprehensive look at the region's military past.

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