Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, located in Springdale, Arkansas, is a museum devoted to the understanding, preservation, and appreciation of Ozark and Northwest Arkansas history. Programs, exhibits, and displays, relating to Ozark and Northwest Arkansas history are offered by the museum to the public. The museum concerns itself with a six country territory: Benton County, Boone County, Carroll County, Madison County, Newton County, and Washington County.
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[edit] Information
[edit] Address
- 118 W. Johnson Ave.
- Springdale, Arkansas
- 72764
[edit] Hours
- Monday through Saturday
- 10 am to 5 pm
- Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
[edit] Contact information
- Phone: 479-750-8165
- Fax: 479-750-8693
- Email: shiloh@springdaleark.org
[edit] History
The 1965 purchase of a significant collection of Native American artifacts by the city of Springdale signaled the establishment of the Shiloh Museum. An amateur archeologist was soon hired to serve as curator and the museum opened in the former library building on 8 September 1968. Initially, the museum concerned itself with purely Springdale local history, but as time passed, expanded its interest and collection to surrounding areas.
In 1980, the museum hired a fulltime professional director, and with an enlarged and more active board of trustees, the museum expanded its scope and activities. New educational programs were created to draw in and involve the public, dynamic exhibit schemes were presented, and the successful petition of seven federal grants, signaled a positive change for the museum. Throughout the decade, the museum expanded its staff and resources, and won the Award for Merit from the American Association for State and Local History for the Vanishing Northwest Arkansas program that consists of more than 100,000 images.
Another notable addition to the museum in the 1980's was the acquisition of historic buildings, now situated on the property. This collection includes, an 1850's log cabin, 1870's general store, 1880's doctor's office, and an 1930's outhouse. Alongside these buildings is a pre-existing 1870's home (remodeled in 1930's). A decade later, a 1930's barn was added to the collection, in which is housed the museum's antique farm machinery collection.
In 1991, the museum opened its new home, a 22,000 square foot building. The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History is mainly funded by the City of Springdale, though more than two thirds of its patrons live outside of the city limits. The museum has been named "Museum of the Year" three times by the Arkansas Museum Association in 1982, 1991, and 2004.
[edit] Name History
The original name of the City of Springdale was Shiloh up until 1872. At that time, the town of Shiloh applied for a postal designation, only to discover that another town of Shiloh already existed in the state of Arkansas. Due to United States Postal Service regulations, the town was forced to change its name to receive a post office. The town then assumed its current name, after the numerous springs that are prevalent in the area. When the museum was established, it was named in honor of the original name of the city, the Shiloh Museum. In 1993, the board of trustees expanded the name to include Ozark history to better represent the museum's mission.
