Museum Guide News
Centrally Located in Little Rock's MacArthur Park!
The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History relates the military heritage of Arkansas and its citizens to a diverse and widespread audience. Located in the historic Arsenal Building in MacArthur Park--one of Central Arkansas's oldest surviving structures and the birthplace of one of this country's foremost military heroes--the museum collects, preserves, and interprets our state's rich military past from its territorial period to the present.
The museum was created to interpret our state's military heritage from its territorial period to the present. The birthplace of General Douglas MacArthur--the museum preserves the contributions of Arkansas men and women who served in the armed forces. Exhibits feature artifacts, photographs, weapons, documents, uniforms, and other military items that vividly portray Arkansas's military history at home and abroad!
The Museum’s History as a U.S. Arsenal- Shortly after Arkansas was admitted to the Union in 1836, the federal government established the Little Rock Arsenal for the storage of munitions and weapons in defense of the frontier. Eventually, more than thirty buildings were constructed on this 36-acre site, including an armory, officers' quarters, barracks for enlisted men, and a variety of other buildings necessary for the routine operation of a military post.
In February 1861, armed citizens threatened to seize the arsenal in anticipation of Arkansas's secession from the Union. A confrontation was averted when authorities negotiated a peaceful compromise with the commander, Captain James Totten, and federal troops withdrew from Little Rock.
After Arkansas seceded in May 1861, Confederate forces used the arsenal until September 11, 1863, when Union troops commanded by General Frederick Steele captured Little Rock. Renamed the Little Rock Barracks in 1873, the post was used to garrison troops until it closed in 1890.
Admission is Free (Donations are Appreciated) - Hours of Operation: Monday – Closed Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
*The museum will be closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day*
