Shiloh Museum Celebrates 50 Years

Established in 1968, the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale is a small museum with a lot of history and heart. Nestled in a park-like, two-acre wooded setting, the Shiloh Museum offers exhibits, programs, special events, photos and collections about the Arkansas Ozarks. Plus you can enjoy seeing its six historic buildings, shopping in the museum store, and lounging at the picnic tables. There is also a research library with a collection of more than 500,000 photographs of Ozark life.

This is a regional history museum focusing on the Northwest Arkansas Ozarks and it takes its name from the pioneer community of Shiloh, which became Springdale in the 1870s.

Most of what you’ll see at the museum highlights the everyday men, women, and children who lived in the town and nearby rural communities.

The exhibits

The museum offers permanent, temporary, and online exhibits meant to help people find meaning, enjoyment, and inspiration in the exploration of the Arkansas Ozarks. 

The permanent exhibits take you on a journey from when American Indians traversed the land nearly 15,000 years ago to the area's most recent dwellers. Exhibits include hands-on activities, video clips, music, try-on clothes, and accessibility for all.

Rotating temporary exhibits bring something new to see throughout each year. Or, check out the web-based exhibits from the comfort of your home.

The podcasts

Shiloh Museum offers a podcast series through iTunes U, a part of the iTunes Store that features free lectures, videos, books, and podcasts from learning institutions all over the world.

It gives you access to lectures, slideshows, PDFs, video podcasts, exhibit tours, and teaching materials to download and enjoy on a Mac or PC, iPad, iPhone, or iPod.

The staff

The museum has some of the finest, dedicated staff members in the state. Admission is free. If you haven’t been here, it’s worth a visit. If you have kids, take them; they’ll love it too.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. (Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.)

The location

Adjacent to Spring Creek and right on the Razorback Regional Greenway, the museum campus is a great spot for a stop.

The museum is located at 118 W. Johnson Ave. on the corner of Johnson and Main in historic downtown Springdale.

From I-49, take the Elm Springs Road exit (#73), east on Elm Springs Road, which turns into Huntsville Avenue, for about two miles. Turn right on Main Street. Go three blocks, and the museum will be on your left.