The  Arkansas  Frontier

The Arkansas Frontier brings the European exploration and settlement of Arkansas alive for children with multiple hands-on exhibits—and covertly engages kids in math- and engineering-based competitions that are fun for the whole family.

Kids role-play as they plan their own foray into the Arkansas wilderness.  Assuming the imaginary guise of a farmer, a trapper, or a traveler, they buy supplies at a Trading Post with a ration of 40 coins; “shoot” wild game within a period-design bean bag toss (Try Your Luck); and spin the Wheel of Fate to “win” one of twelve good (or bad) fortunes taken from actual journals of early explorers in this region.  Visitors can explore the workings of a gear-driven odometer powered by an authentic replica of a covered wagon wheel and match wits in a brand new graphing game—the Museum’s own invention.

Toddlers can play inside a life-size replica of the 17^th-century canoe dug up at Toltec Archaeological Site in central Arkansas, push buttons to match songs and calls together with animals essential to life and sustainability in the early Arkansas wilderness, and dress in period-style clothing:  great photo ops for parents and grandparents!  The weary can sit and watch “Arkansas History Through a Child’s Eyes,” illustrated with artwork created by children in Northeast Arkansas.

The Arkansas Frontier was made possible by a grant from the U. S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.