Tag Archives: Old State House Museum

Cool Culture — Beat the Heat at LR Museums

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Seeking a daytime escape from the heat of the day, most of Little Rock’s museums offer wonderful climate controlled environments at no charge.

Among those museums in LR which offer escapes to galleries at no charge are the Arkansas Arts Center, MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, Historic Arkansas Museum (fees do apply for tours of historic structures), Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Old State House Museum, Butler Center Galleries  at the Arkansas Studies Institute, Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center and the Little Rock Central High National Historic Site.  In addition, members to the Museum of Discovery can visit it for free.

Architeaser – April 13

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Yesterday’s Architeaser was from the front of the Old State House.  Originally it was intended to have six columns on the front and six columns on the back.  By the time it was built there were only four columns on the front and four on the back.  During an expansion, the entrance on the Arkansas River side was closed off, so now all that remain are the four columns which face Markham Street.

Today’s column capital is featured below.

Marching along 2nd Friday Art Night

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History takes front and center at this month’s 2nd Friday Art Night.

First up, the Butler Center Galleries of the Arkansas Studies Institute are featuring the new exhibit “Making a Place: Jewish Experience in Arkansas.”  This exhibit explores the development of the Jewish community in Arkansas focusing on immigration, isolation and assimilation.

Over at Historic Arkansas Museum, the Smittle Band will be entertaining visitors who are looking at the temporary and permanent exhibits of art and history.  The evening will also feature a sample of wines hosted by downtown’s very own Zin Wine Bar.

The Old State House Museum will be open so that visitors can see the new exhibit “Things You Need to Hear: Memories of Growing up in Arkansas from 1890 to 1980.”

Another exhibit with a history flavor will be at studioMain. The March exhibition is “The History of Our Downtown.”

These and other stops of 2nd Friday Art Night will be open from 5pm to 8pm.  While on-street parking is available near most sites, a free trolley makes stops at each of the venues.  The Arkansas Times is a sponsor of 2nd Friday Art Night.

Old State House: Growing Up in Arkansas

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The Old State House museum opens a new exhibit today – “Things You Need to Hear: Memories of Growing Up in Arkansas from 1890 to 1980.” The exhibit is a collective memory of growing up in Arkansas from 1890 to 1980 and is told by the people who did it.  Through the exhibit, Growing Up in Arkansas, curator Dr. Margaret Jones Bolsterli conveys the importance of passing family histories from one generation to another.

The exhibit is comprised of five themes: community, family, work, school, and leisure. Bolsterli said that she “envisions this exhibit as a collective memory of growing up in Arkansas told by the people who did it.” Oral histories will be a highlight of the exhibit, some included in surprising ways. Each theme of the exhibit will be encapsulated in its own vignette, detailing a special sense of time and place. Artifacts will be included in each of these settings, revealing the layers of what life was like for past generations. Visitors will experience these time capsules and reflect on the past in Arkansas.

The museum, a division of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, is open from9am to 5pm on Monday through Saturday. On Sunday it is open from 1pm to 5pm.

2nd Friday Art Night – At the Heart of Art in Little Rock

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For art lovers, 2nd Friday Art Night is a great way to explore the visual arts in Little Rock.  This month there are twelve stops the free trolley will be making between the hours of 5pm and 8pm.  Some highlights of this month’s offerings include:

Christ Episcopal Church (500 Scott Street) is highlighting its new exhibit: “The Cross” which features interpretations of the cross in a variety of mediums by several artists including Wes McHan, Melverue Abraham, Sister Maria Liebeck, Janet Copeland, Susan Peterson, Lynn Frost, Betsy Woodyard, Jai Ross and Mark Alderfer.

Hearne Fine Art (1001 Wright Avenue) is featuring “Southern Spirit: An Exhibition of Southern Folk Art” through March 3.  This gallery has consistently championed African American artists for two decades in downtown Little Rock.

Historic Arkansas Museum (200 East Third Street) will be featuring the opening of new exhibits by Bryan Massey, Tom Richard and Doug Stowe.  Serenading visitors will be award-winning musician Bonnie Montgomery.

Mosaic Templars Cultural Center (501 West Ninth Street) will be a first time participant in 2nd Friday Art Night. The featured exhibit is Daufe 1 by LaToya Hobbs.  Visitors can also explore the many other galleries and exhibits in Little Rock’s newest history museum.

studioMAIN (1423 South Main Street) will have its grand opening.  This design collective focused on encouraging collaboration in the creative fields  including architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, urban design, furniture design and public art will have exhibitions during each 2nd Friday Art Night. This month is an exhibit of Pettaway Park designs.

Other locations include Old State House, Butler Center Galleries, Canvas Community, Courtyard by Marriott, The Green Corner Store, Dizzy’s Gypsy Grill and Copper Grill.

Coming Soon: Holiday Open (Old State) House (December 4)

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This Sunday, December 4, from 1pm to 4:30pm, the Old State House becomes the Holiday Open (Old State) House.

The traditions of joyous family holiday celebrations past can be relived at Holiday Open House. Visitors will find the Old State House colorfully decorated for the season. Fun, hands-on activities will be available to children; they may create unique holiday cards and more!

Delightful carols will be performed by local music groups. Visitors will also enjoy delicious cookies and punch.

It will also be a great time to revisit the galleries or see them for the first time. From the restored legislative chambers which tell the story of Arkansas’ leaders, to the First Ladies gowns to the exhibits: Arkansas Arkansaw-A State and Its Reputation and An Enduring Union — there is plenty to see.

Call (501) 324-9685 for more information. Admission is free.

The Old State House is a museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.

QQA Preservation Conversations Continue Tonight

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The Quapaw Quarter Association continues its monthly education series this year entitled “Preservation Conversations.” They take place the third Monday of each month at historic Curran Hall, which serves as the QQA headquarters in addition to being the Mayor’s Official Reception Hall.

Tonight is the November conversation – “Period Furnishings and Colors.” It will be presented by Becky Witsell.  For 30 years, Witsell has combined her love of art, architecture and history in the field of preservation restoration.  Among the many, many projects with which she has been associated are the State Capitol, the Little Rock Zoo carousel horses, the Old State House, St. Edward Catholic Church, The Cathedral of St. Andrew, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, First United Methodist Church and countless homes.

Beginning at 5:00, Curran Hall will be open for patrons to enjoy a glass of wine, programs start at 5:30 p.m. and last for one hour.  After the official program concludes, all are invited to keep the conversation going and enjoy a discounted dinner at nearby Copper Grill, 300 East Third Street.

The Quapaw Quarter Association is a non-profit historic preservation advocacy organization whose mission is to promote the preservation of the historic buildings and neighborhoods of Greater Little Rock. Rhea Roberts is the Executive Director.