Current Exhibits
Lapping Up Daydreams: Artwork by Madison Svendgard and Anthony Park Kascak
Madison Svendgard examines the boredom and isolation of menial white-collar jobs, capturing her zoned-out characters mid-daydream. Her works on paper employ flatness and stylization to create worlds that feel both weirdly familiar and once removed from reality. Anthony Park Kascak uses his adorable mutt, Bonzu, as a storytelling surrogate, and a series of soda-fired sculptural cups created for this exhibition feature goofy dogs in playful poses. The earthy colors produced during the soda firing process pay respect to examples of historical pottery from Arkansas and around the world.
Lapping Up Daydreams will be in the Trinity Gallery for Arkansas Artists through January 2026.
Collecting Arkansas Made
Collecting Arkansas Made is a multi-year exhibition that shares some of the exceptional Arkansas Made objects added to the museum’s collection between 2018-2023. These ‘new-to-us’ acquisitions include items that form the foundation of the museum’s historical collection—19th century furniture, miniature portraits, pottery, firearms and quilts—plus fine and decorative arts from the 20th century and objects made by artists and artisans who are pushing the boundaries of contemporary craft.
Many of the pieces on display will be switched out at regular intervals, so follow HAM’s Facebook and Instagram pages for updates and deep-dives!
Permanent Exhibits
Sturgis Children’s Gallery
This hands-on gallery is designed especially for kids 4–10 years old. Based on the museum’s historic site, children can interact with all the things they see but can’t touch on the grounds tour: use a skeleton key to unlock the front door of a period-inspired playhouse, pick plush vegetables from a mini garden, pump a bellow to stoke a cooking fire, dress up in 19th century clothing and play with puppets in the puppet theater.
The Knife Gallery
When Historic Arkansas Museum’s Knife Gallery opened in 2001, it was the first gallery in the country dedicated to the history of the bowie knife and the forged blade in America. The recently updated gallery stays true to its roots, with plenty of information about Arkansas knifemaker James Black and the 200-year evolution of “a knife like Bowie’s.” Over 50 remarkable blades are on display, including the famous Bowie No. 1 (c. 1830). Visitors will be captivated by modern bowies and the historical knives that inspired them, plus a selection of exceptional contemporary custom knives made by master bladesmiths.
Online Exhibits
Explore our online exhibits.