Helpful Links
Check out this list of helpful links which can further connect you to our region’s past and present!
University of Arkansas Fort Smith – Pebley Center
The Pebley Center has vast materials related to the history of Sebastian, Crawford, and surrounding counties. Collections include manuscripts, books, dissertations, microfilm, government documents, journals, photographs and more. The UAFS Boreham Library is also a stellar resource for a wide variety of other topics
U.S. Marshals Museum
Its Arkansas Riverfront location is symbolic of the role the region played in early days of the U.S. Marshals Service. Known for its iconic star-shaped design, the national Museum features immersive exhibits that share “the stories of justice, integrity, and service of the Marshals who have bravely served our nation.”
Fort Smith Public Library
The Fort Smith Public Library houses a wealth of materials relevant to the region’s history. The Main Branch also houses the Barbara Walker Genealogy and Arkansas History Collection that features more than 25,000 titles, including city directories from 1881 to present; yearbooks; birth, death, marriage, and cemetery indexes; and more.
Fort Smith Museum of History
Dating back to 1910, the Museum exists to “collect, preserve and share the history and culture of Fort Smith and the surrounding region.” It preserves approximately 40,000 artifacts chronicling the city’s and surrounding region’s history. The Museum is open for tours and events, and routinely hosts guest speakers and special exhibits.
Fort Smith Trolley Museum
The Fort Smith Trolley Museum celebrates the important role that trolleys played in the city’s early days of public transportation. Its collection includes a wide-range of electric streetcars, rails, motor buses, and more. Visitors can also enjoy trolley rides through historic downtown Fort Smith.
The Clayton House
Located in the Belle Grove Historic District, The Clayton House gives visitors a glimpse into life in the late 1800’s. The Italianate-style mansion was once the home of William Henry Harrison Clayton, who played a key role in Arkansas’ Reconstruction period. The home is maintained and operated by the nonprofit Fort Smith Heritage Foundation.
Fort Smith National Historic Site
The Fort Smith National Historic Site offers visitors a first-hand look at the justice system of the 1800s in Western Arkansas. Park rangers offer tours of preserved courtrooms, jails, and barracks, as well as the grounds’ gallows, made famous by legendary Judge Isaac C. Parker.
Drennen-Scott House
Originally constructed in 1838, the Drennen-Scott House in nearby Van Buren was passed down through the generations of the John Drennen family before being gifted to the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith in 2005 for preservation, educational purposes, and public engagement.
Chaffee Crossing Historic District
Long before Chaffee Crossing was the booming economic and center it is today, the area was a bustling military base that played a key role in training soldiers starting during WWII. The historic district highlights the impact Fort Chaffee has had on the region and offers visitors the chance to tour historic base buildings.
