Exhibits

February
Declaration 1716: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy

When the Declaration of Independence was issued in 1776, the assertion that “all men are created equal” was a radical and transformative idea. With this seminal document, the Founding Fathers set in motion forces that would reshape political thought around the globe.

This exhibition uses primary source documents to explore how the U.S. Declaration of Independence inspired movements for equality and self-determination both in America and internationally. Visitors will see how nations around the world have modeled their own declarations of independence on the ideals first articulated in 1776.

March
Arkansas / Arkansaw: A State and Its Reputation

This exhibit explores the long-standing and often contradictory images associated with Arkansas and its people. Drawing from historical sources, Arkansas / Arkansaw: A State and Its Reputation examines how Arkansans have been portrayed as both uncivilized backwoodsmen and noble frontiersmen—independent, honest, and self-reliant.

Perhaps best symbolized by the story of the Arkansas Traveler, the exhibit reveals how these dual images developed and why Arkansas became a focal point for the “hillbilly” stereotype. It also examines how Arkansans have responded—sometimes defensively, sometimes humorously—to these depictions.

Curated by historian Brooks Blevins, the exhibit presents neither a defense nor a dismissal of these portrayals, but instead invites visitors to consider both the real and romanticized versions of Arkansas’s reputation and how those images continue to influence perceptions today.

April

The Arkansas Constitution at 150

This exhibit highlights the original 1874 Arkansas Constitution and explores the state's broader constitutional history. Visitors will come face-to-face with handwritten pages that form the foundation of Arkansas’s legal and governmental system.

Arkansas has adopted five constitutions since achieving statehood in 1836, each reflecting major political and historical shifts: statehood, secession, reentry into the Union, Reconstruction, and post-Reconstruction governance. The 1874 Constitution—amended more than 100 times—remains in effect today.

Presented in collaboration with the Arkansas State Archives, this exhibit offers insight into how constitutions define the principles, structure, and limits of government, and how Arkansas’s governing document has evolved over time.