Venues

 
The Delta Cultural Center opened in 1990 with a single property, The Depot, to serve as a museum. Today the Delta Cultural Center is made up of a complex of historic buildings, new structures, and landscaped parks. Each site allows the Center to expand the mission and provide interpretive and educational experiences. To explore the Delta Cultural Center click on the property name below.
 

The Delta Cultural Center Visitors Center is comprised of three interconnected buildings within one block of The Delta Cultural Center Depot. The Visitors Center provides:

DCC-VisitorCenterFrontInterpretive Exhibits

Delta Sounds serves as a permanent, state-of-the-art exhibit area dedicated to the music of the Arkansas Delta: Blues, Gospel, Country, Rockabilly, and other regional musical styles. Exhibit highlights include an operating radio studio, listening stations, a variety of artifacts and information on legendary musicians.

As you enter the Visitors Center you find our central gallery. This gallery provides a space for traveling and changing exhibits related to a variety of Delta topics which may include art, music and history.

Also within the Visitors Center you find a large exhibit space which hosts extended exhibits. These exhibits are staff developed and run for a 3-4 year term.

Radio Studio

Come experience an operating Radio Studio within our museum. A section of the Delta Sounds Exhibit is dedicated to presenting King Biscuit Time and Delta Sounds radio broadcasts. Guests may view the live broadcasts or be invited to join us behind the mic. Musicians frequently stop by this legendary studio to be a part of the fun. A unique experience for young and old.

The Museum Store

The Museum Store provides a variety of books, locally made products, music & gifts. Sales of all merchandise go directly to the Delta Cultural Center. Merchandise is available on-site, by phone, and soon on-line. Due to limited space, large groups may divide up to allow for shopping.

Staff Offices

The majority of our staff offices are located in the Visitors Center. Visitors may check in at the front desk for assistance in locating specific staff members.

141 Cherry Street
Tuesday - Saturday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Open to the public
Free admission

Amenities: Information Desk, Gift Shop, Handicap Access, Free Public Parking, Bus Parking, Bike Parking, Public Restrooms, Free Wifi

Designations: Great River Road, Crowley's Ridge Parkway, Cherry Street Historic District & Mississippi Blues Trail

 

Great River Road Arkansas logo of boat steering wheel and steamboat imageCRP logo

DCC-Depot-Front-ShotThe restored 1912 Union Pacific railroad station opened in 1990 as the initial building to house the Delta Cultural Center. The Depot, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, serves as a museum and features exhibits and hosts numerous events.

95 Missouri Street
Open to the public Tuesday - Saturday; 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Free admission to the museum
Delta Eagle Room available for rental; reservations required

Amenities: Information desk, meeting space available to the public for rental, handicap access, free public parking, bus parking, bike parking, public restrooms

Designations: National Park Service Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, Great River Road Interpretive Center, Crowley Ridge Parkway, National Register of Historic Places, Cherry Street Historic District, Civil War Helena Attraction

Trail of Tears Historic Trail logoGreat River Road Arkansas logo of boat steering wheel and steamboat imageCRP logo


Constructed as a permanent outdoor stage, this covered Pavilion is multi-purpose which opens it up to a variety of uses. The community utilizes the space for picnics, exercising and other outdoor activities as well as annual events and music festivals. The Mississippi River levee creates a natural seating area for large or small crowds.

This site serves as the main stage for events such as:
• Wild Hog Music Fest and Motorcycle Rally
• The Arkansas Delta Family Gospel Festival
• The King Biscuit Blues Festival
• Community Events
• Private Parties

DCC-King-Biscuit-Festival-at-Pavillion

116 Cherry Street
Special Events
Free Admission; Reservation Required

Amenities: Handicap Access, Free Public Parking, Bus Parking

Designations: Cherry Street Historic District

DCC-Miller-Annex

Originally known as the Miller Hotel, this downtown venue provides space for Delta Cultural Center activities:

  • Musical events
  • Presentations
  • Classroom Space
  • Educational programming

Front Porch Blues Bash

The Miller Annex provides Delta Cultural Center programming during the annual King Biscuit Blues Festival. This special event incorporates musical programming, lectures, and presentations.

223 Cherry Street
Special Events
Free Admission

Amenities: Handicap Access, Free Public Parking, Public Restrooms

Designations: Cherry Street Historic District

The Moore Hornor House was built in 1859 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is an example of asymmetrical Greek Revival and Italianate architecture. Standing in front of the house, one can view Graveyard Hill behind, the site of one of the bloodiest fights of the Battle of Helena. Directly in front of the house you find Fort Curtis. The house is now used for educational programs and activities. While this historic estate is currently under renovation, when open there is no admission cost. Tours are available by appointment.

 

red brick building with mint green shutters on hill with tree and fence

323 Beech Street
Special events by appointment only
Free admission

Amenities: Handicap Access, Free Public Parking, Bus Parking, Public Restrooms

Designations: National Register of Historic Places, Beech Street Historic District, Civil War Helena Attraction


Temple Beth building with columns and brick This former Jewish Temple, built in 1916, was donated to the Delta Cultural Center in 2006 by the remaining members of Temple Beth El. The building is a contributing structure to the Perry Street Historic District. Serves as an example of Neo-Classical architecture, and features an intricate stained glass dome.

The venue is used for:

  • Lectures
  • Small concerts
  • Community meetings
  • Educational programming

DCC-Beth-El-Heritage-Hall-stained-glass

This restored facility is also available for rental for private functions.

406 Perry Street
Special Events; Private Functions
Free admission for Delta Cultural Center events; reservations required with a rental fee

Amenities: Handicap Access, Free Public Parking, Public Restrooms

Designations: Perry Street Historic District


The original Fort Curtis was built soon after the Union army occupied Helena in 1862. This reconstructed Fort Curtis, a 3/4 scale replica of the original fort, allows visitors to experience an earthen fort firsthand, including the huge 24-pounder guns. Exhibits tell the story of the original fort and this unique reconstruction. Fort Curtis is a self-guided site, but guided tours may be requested based on staff availability.

tents and historic battlefield reenactment set up in cement pit

DCC-Fort-Curtis-Tour-Group-with-reenactors

350 Columbia Street
Daily
10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Free admission

Amenities: Handicap Access, Free Public Parking, Bus Parking

Designations: National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, Civil War Helena Attraction

National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom verbiage on blue background with yellow star and profile silhouette of person

DCC-Freedom-Park

This beautiful park, once the location of a Civil War Contraband camp, encourages contemplation. Five exhibits explore the experiences of refugee slaves who came to Helena in search of freedom and a life of self-determination. Freedom Park is a self-guided site, but guided tours may be requested based on staff availability.

This outdoor space includes:

  • Landscaped park
  • Paved walkways
  • Illustrated panels
  • Life-size figures
  • Benches and Tables
  • Bronze sculpture
  • Stations representing a plantation house, refugee dwelling, and a fortification

First site in Arkansas designated a National Park Service National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site.

750 Biscoe Street
Daily 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Free admission

Amenities: Handicap Access, Free Public Parking, Bus Parking

Designations: National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom

National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom verbiage on blue background with yellow star and profile silhouette of person

This park includes one of four earthen batteries erected by the Union army in 1862. This strategic location briefly fell to the Confederates during the Battle of Helena on July 4, 1863. Battery C Park is a self-guided site, but a guided tour may be requested based on staff availability.

This outdoor site now includes

  • Illustrated panels
  • Landscaped park
  • Paved Walkways & handrails
  • Cannons
  • Life-size metal sculptures
  • Scenic Overlook
DCC-BatteryCcannonwidershot

Battery C Park features a grand view of downtown Helena and the Mississippi River from atop Crowley's Ridge.

1100 Yorkshire
Daily 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Free admission

Amenities: Handicap Access, Free Public Parking, Scenic View

Designations: National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, National Register of Historic Places, Civil War Helena Attraction

National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom verbiage on blue background with yellow star and profile silhouette of person