Shiloh Museum Truly Unique to NW Arkansas
By: Brad Reed
Updated: March 1, 2013
When you mention a museum in NW Arkansas odds are the name "Crystal Bridges" comes next. But as many longtime residents know there's another museum in the area, and it's told the story of the Ozarks to kids and adults for nearly half a century.
Covering two city blocks in Springdale sits a Civil War era log cabin, a barn from the 1930's, and a musuem that got it's start thanks to Judge Guy Howard.
"He had his own personal collection of indian lore," says Susan Young, Outreach Coordinator for the museum. "And the city council thought 'let's buy Judge Howard's collection and we'll start a little museum.'"
The Shiloh Museum began in 1965 featuring thousands of prehistoric and historic artifacts. A few years later the museum shifted it's focus to the Arkansas Ozarks.
"We offer something that no other community in NW Arkansas has and that is a museum that talks about the whole area," says Young.
While most people see the featured artifacts on the main floor, below in the basement is tens of thousands of stuff. From old clocks and phones to furniture from years gone by, Carolyn Reno takes care of it all.
"They stay here until their called upon for exhibit or for research," says Reno as she walks through the ailse of stored collections.
While the museum is constantly taking in new items their latest exhibit is featured prominatly on the first floor. A collection from the old University Museum. Which includes the blue florescent rocks area natives like Susan remember so well.
"Anybody that grew up in NW Arkansas in the 60's I'm willing to bet went to a field trip to the University Museum," says Young.
The Shiloh Museum shares many stories of our region's history. But at it's heart Shiloh's story is about the ordinary people who made the Ozarks a special place.
"Our stock and trade is telling that story of everyday people that are never going to make it in the history books and most of us can relate to that in some aspect," says Young. "We're the Jimmy Stewart of museums!"
Covering two city blocks in Springdale sits a Civil War era log cabin, a barn from the 1930's, and a musuem that got it's start thanks to Judge Guy Howard.
"He had his own personal collection of indian lore," says Susan Young, Outreach Coordinator for the museum. "And the city council thought 'let's buy Judge Howard's collection and we'll start a little museum.'"
The Shiloh Museum began in 1965 featuring thousands of prehistoric and historic artifacts. A few years later the museum shifted it's focus to the Arkansas Ozarks.
"We offer something that no other community in NW Arkansas has and that is a museum that talks about the whole area," says Young.
While most people see the featured artifacts on the main floor, below in the basement is tens of thousands of stuff. From old clocks and phones to furniture from years gone by, Carolyn Reno takes care of it all.
"They stay here until their called upon for exhibit or for research," says Reno as she walks through the ailse of stored collections.
While the museum is constantly taking in new items their latest exhibit is featured prominatly on the first floor. A collection from the old University Museum. Which includes the blue florescent rocks area natives like Susan remember so well.
"Anybody that grew up in NW Arkansas in the 60's I'm willing to bet went to a field trip to the University Museum," says Young.
The Shiloh Museum shares many stories of our region's history. But at it's heart Shiloh's story is about the ordinary people who made the Ozarks a special place.
"Our stock and trade is telling that story of everyday people that are never going to make it in the history books and most of us can relate to that in some aspect," says Young. "We're the Jimmy Stewart of museums!"
