Historical Museum News

Historic sites driving tours

Our popular historic sites driving tours are returning with the first one scheduled for Saturday, May 18, starting at 12:30 p.m. Visit historic sites around old Bella Vista with a tour guide who will talk about the history of each site. The cost is $15 a person or $25 for two. If you are interested, leave your contact information at the museum or call Dale Phillips at 812-899-2049.

Bella Vista Civil War Roundtable

Don't miss out on the second monthly Civil War Roundtable that will be held at the museum at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 6. Interesting programs are promised every month.

Settler's Cabin report

The great-grandson of the man who built the original Settler's Cabin has donated his grandfather's arrowhead collection and the horse collar his other grandfather used on his mule in the 1940s, both of which are now on display inside the museum. We are in the process of lining up contractors to face the concrete block foundation of the cabin with native stone, to build a new front porch and to put a new roof on the cabin. A committee has been formed to plan cabin furnishings.

We continue to accept donations for the cabin at the museum in person by cash, check or credit/debit card, or you are welcome to mail them to the museum at 1885 Bella Vista Way, Bella Vista, AR 72714. Remember, any donors who give $100 or more will have their name inscribed on a plaque inside the cabin.

Museum gift shop

The donation of Frankoma pottery has arrived at the museum gift shop and is now available for sale. If you have small items you'd like to donate for us to sell as a fundraiser for the museum, please contact us. We appreciate all the donations we have received. We also continue to offer a great selection of Bella Vista souvenirs from baseball caps to jigsaw puzzles and everything in between. Our locally produced honey, from hives right here in Benton County, has been a popular item too.

Tours & programs available

Private tours of the museum and programs about the history of Bella Vista are available outside of normal open hours for church groups, students, civic clubs, businesses, etc., at the museum or at your location of choice. To arrange for an event, please leave a message at the museum, 479-855-2335, or contact Xyta Lucas at 479-876-6118.

Hours of operation

The Historical Museum is located at the corner of U.S. 71 and Kingsland Road, next door to the American Legion, and is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The phone number is 479-855-2335. The website address is bellavistamuseum.org.

Community on 05/15/2019