Rogers Historical Museum: Discovering Local Heritage

The Rogers Historical Museum, situated in the heart of downtown Rogers, Arkansas, is dedicated to preserving and sharing the area's rich heritage. The museum's mission is to enrich lives through education, experience, and exploration of the history of Rogers and Benton County. The museum campus comprises three buildings: the Hailey Ford Building, the Key Wing, and the Hawkins House, along with an apple orchard. The Hailey Ford Building features exhibits, administrative offices, and an exhibit workshop. Here, visitors can explore five galleries that showcase the history of Northwest Arkansas, from early settlement to urbanization. Exhibits include the Natural State, Road & Rail, America's Heartland, White River, and Our Place. A special exhibit gallery hosts traveling exhibitions from various sources, including the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. The Key Wing serves as a dedicated education space for groups. The Hawkins House, a restored middle-class Victorian home from 1895, provides guided tours offering a glimpse into life in Northwest Arkansas from 1900 to 1910. The Children's Gallery offers hands-on experiences, including "Grandma's House", "Grandpa's Workshop", the Harris Bakery, and a recreation of the fire escape at the original Rogers High School. The museum's collections include photographic images, postcards, archival materials, documents, maps, blueprints, books, newspapers, and magazines. The museum also displays small exhibits at locations across Northwest Arkansas.