Delta Gateway Museum Travel Guide

The Delta Gateway Museum, located in Blytheville, Arkansas, serves as a gateway to the rich history and cultural heritage of the Arkansas Delta, Northeast Arkansas, and Southeastern Missouri. The museum's mission is to tell the story of Blytheville and the surrounding area by interpreting the land and its impact on the people.Housed in the historic Kress Building, a landmark Art Deco structure built in 1938, the museum itself is a piece of history. The Kress Building, once a five-and-dime department store, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is recognized as the best example of Art Deco architecture in the area.The Delta Gateway Museum's exhibits cover a wide range of topics, including prehistoric and historic Native American cultures, the timber industry, swamp drainage, the development of agriculture, the impact of earthquakes and flooding, the Blytheville Air Force Base, and the regional steel industry. Through artifacts, photographs, and temporary exhibits, the museum brings the stories of the Delta region to life.Visitors can explore exhibits detailing the lives of early settlers, the evolution of agriculture, and the growth of local industries. The museum also highlights the significance of the Mississippi River in the region's development, from its role in transportation to its impact on the local economy. The Delta Gateway Museum offers free admission and welcomes visitors of all ages to discover the heritage of the Arkansas Delta.