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McCollum-Chidester Museum: A Window into Camden's Past

Explore 19th-century life at Camden's McCollum-Chidester Museum, a preserved home with original furnishings and Civil War history.

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Step back in time at the McCollum-Chidester Museum, a beautifully preserved 1847 home in Camden, Arkansas. Once owned by prominent figures like Peter McCollum and stagecoach magnate John Chidester, the museum showcases original furnishings and offers a glimpse into 19th-century life in the region.

A brief summary to Mc Collum-Chidester Museum

  • Wednesday 9 am-4 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-4 pm
  • Friday 9 am-4 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-4 pm

Local tips

  • Call ahead to confirm hours and tour availability, especially if traveling from a distance.
  • Take a guided tour to learn more about the families who lived in the house and the history of Camden.
  • Don't miss the Leake-Ingham Building, located behind the McCollum-Chidester House, to see the last known free-standing Freedman's Bureau.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The McCollum-Chidester Museum is located at 926 W Washington St in Camden. If you are already in the Washington Street Historic District, simply walk along Washington Street to the museum. It's situated on the north side of the street, and you'll see the historic house and the Civil War cannon on the lawn.

  • Driving

    If driving from downtown Camden, head west on Washington Street. The museum will be on your right. Limited parking is available directly at the museum. Street parking is also available on Washington Street. Check for any parking restrictions. There are no tolls on the immediate approach.

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Discover more about Mc Collum-Chidester Museum

The McCollum-Chidester Museum, located in Camden, Arkansas, offers a captivating journey into the past. Built in 1847 by Peter McCollum, a merchant from North Carolina, the house was a showcase of modern luxuries for its time, boasting the first planed lumber, plastered walls, carpeting, and wallpaper in the area. McCollum had the building materials shipped from New Orleans via steamboat. In 1858, John Chidester, a stagecoach owner, purchased the home for $10,000 in gold. Chidester expanded his stage line westward, using Camden as his headquarters. During the Civil War, Union General Frederick Steele commandeered the house as his headquarters in 1864. Bullet holes, a remnant of the war, can still be seen in an upstairs wall. The Ouachita County Historical Society acquired the home in 1963 and has since worked to restore and preserve it. Today, the museum displays original family heirlooms, furniture, photographs, and other personal items, providing visitors with an immersive experience of 19th-century life. Highlights include Leah Chidester's china, silver, linens, and an 1851 sewing machine. The Leake-Ingham Building, located behind the McCollum-Chidester House, served as a law office and later as the Camden Federal Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands.

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