Historical Museum News

It takes a Bella Vista village

Memberships for 2020

If you are interested in supporting the Bella Vista Historical Museum, you are welcome to sign up for membership in our Historical Society, which operates the museum. Dues for the calendar year of 2020 are $15 per person or $25 per family. We also offer a corporate sponsorship for $50, and all businesses in Bella Vista are welcome to join. Our staff consists of all volunteers, so any revenue we receive goes toward operating costs. You may pay for your membership by sending a check to BVHS at 1885 Bella Vista Way, Bella Vista AR 72714, or stopping by the museum to pay by cash, check or debit/credit card.

We are a 501(c)3 organization, so your membership qualifies as being tax-deductible. Thank you for your support!

Bella Vista Civil War Roundtable

Our Roundtable continues to meet the first Thursday evening of each month at 7 p.m. at the museum. If you would like to get on the mailing list to be informed of future speakers, please contact Chuck Pribbernow at [email protected]. The next meeting, on Thursday, Feb. 6, has a change in speaker to Greg Mayfield, who will be talking about his ancestors who owned the general store in Leetown near Pea Ridge and over 300 acres of surrounding land. After the war, they filed a claim for damages against the federal government, which they unsuccessfully pursued for 30 years. The records from that case contain depositions from locals which are full of information about the lead-up to the Pea Ridge battle and the aftermath.

Museum Gift Shop

We continue to offer a great variety of Bella Vista souvenirs and other items in our museum gift shop. We need to clear our shelves to make room for new merchandise, so we are offering some great sale prices. Any remaining salt and pepper shakers from the generous donation we received last year are now on sale at $2.25 per set. Our Bella Vista police and fire department jigsaw puzzles are also on sale at $15 each. Please come check them out!

Fisher-Price Toy Exhibit

Our current Fisher-Price toy exhibit, on loan from Bella Vista resident Bruce Fox, has been extended for viewing through the end of February. Come for your own memories of these delightful toys, or bring your children and grandchildren to see these original vintage wooden toys from the 1930s onward. Admission is free.

Tours and 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 1885 Bella Vista Way, 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 is bellavistamuseum.org.

Community on 01/15/2020