Field Trips

The museum offers many programs for schools, other groups and organizations. This includes many of our most popular in-museum programming as well as some offered only as education programs. All education programs are free of charge and the Education Department will travel anywhere in the State of Arkansas, in person or virtual. Continue reading for a complete list of tours and programs. 

Self-Guided Tours

This tour option is great for groups of less than 10 people, families with small children, or people with a limited amount of time. No reservations are needed for self-guided tours.

Group Tours

We welcome all ages to the museum. Guided tours are a perfect option for youth groups, civic clubs and organizations of all sizes who want a structured tour with detailed information. Reservations are required for ALL GROUP TOURS, so please call the museum for more information or request a reservation using the form below.  

Footsteps and Foundations (Grades 4-12)

Relive history under the shade of historic arbors as students experience our building and grounds tour.  Footsteps and Foundations provide students with a holistic review of the Old State House Museums beautiful grounds and parameters of the historic building.  A trained tour guide will share stories about our cannon, Lady Baxter; archeological discoveries; missing statues and architecture. This tour also reveals the trials and tragedies that occurred while constructing Arkansas’ first state capitol.  From shipwrecks and vanishing floor plans to encroaching urban development, the Old State House Museum has weathered many storms over the years.  Learn more about Greek Revival architecture as well as preservation efforts that have taken place over the years.  Tour lasts 45 minutes.

Museum Programs (45-60 minutes)

This is the list of various programs Old State House Museum offers for schools and education organizations for field trips. For more information, contact the education director.

Arkansas Archeology

Grades 5-12
Explore the field of archeology and learn how to uncover clues about people who lived long ago.

Arkansas Art Pottery

Grades 5-12
Learn about our state’s art pottery makers, including Camark, Niloak and Ouachita.

Buttons Up! Political Imagery Through Campaign Buttons

Grades 4-9
Students will learn about the impact of political imagery as they study U.S. Presidential campaign buttons from the museum’s teaching collection.

Civil War in Arkansas

Grades 4-12
Learn about day-to-day conditions soldiers endured by examining their clothing, supplies and other interesting gadgets.

Civil War Flag Program

Grades K-6
Study the significance and meaning of flags used during the U.S. Civil War. See original and reproduction flags carried by Arkansas units.

Legislative Process

In this exciting role-playing exercise, students assume the roles of Arkansas state senators and state representatives as they debate a bill, vote on it, and then submit it to the “governor” for a final decision. [A minimum of at least 20 students and no more than a 3-year grade span are required for this program.]

Native American Arts

Grades K-10
See the extraordinary effigy pots and vessels made by prehistoric Arkansans.

Native American Games

Grades 2-6
Play prehistoric games common during the Mississip-pian Period, like chunkey and jack straws, and learn to throw an atlatl.

19th Century Games

Grades 2-6
Practice some of the different games and activities that young children enjoyed during previous centuries.

19th Century Historic Arts

Grades 4-10
Many of the hobbies that people enjoy today are in fact several centuries old and were once popular pastimes for women and children during the 19th century. Explore activities like paper filigree and shell craft.

19th Century Hygiene

Grades 2-8
Explore the history of hygiene in Arkansas, learning about health, sanitation and cleanliness in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Ozark Healing & Remedies

Grades 3-12
Meet an Ozark healer woman and discover some of the native folkways regarding healing. Using both flora and fauna elements, you'll learn all about the dos and don'ts of Ozark herbal medicine.

Play It Loud: Concerts at Barton Coliseum

Grades 5-12
Explore the rich musical history of Barton Coliseum, locat-ed on the Arkansas State Fairgrounds. At one time, this was the largest concert venue in the state, at-tracting artists ranging from Elvis to Prince.

Quilts by Black Arkansans

Grades 5-8 
Discover the history of Arkansas quilt making and learn about the Museum’s collection of quilts made by Black Arkansans. Educators can choose the program focus on art, history, or math.

Suffrage

Grades 5-12
Learn about the 19th Amendment and how Arkansas women achieved the right to vote in 1917.

World War I and Arkansas

Grades 5-12
Discover how Arkansans of all ages played an important part on the home front and overseas during the Great War.

Living History Characters

Living History characters can be incorporated into museum tours and programs. We have a variety of living history characters, so please let us know if you have a specific interest.

Loan Boxes

Loan Boxes are available for check-out for 1-3 weeks. Call our Education Director for more information. Box themes include:

• Arkansas & the U.S.-Mexican War
• Civil War in Arkansas
• 19th Century Games