Searching for a Home – Gillett, AR | Travel With Cajunville

After telling the story of Arkansas Post for over 35 years, the state park was without a home for thirty years, but the treasures and memories were honored and saved by the people of Arkansas County. The Arkansas Post State Park was established in 1929 outside Gillett, AR. The park gave visitors a view of life along the Arkansas River from the European explores until the destruction from the Civil War. In 1964 the National Park Service took over the park and it became a National Memorial, Arkansas Post. The state park was left without a home.

In 1963 Arkansas County laid the groundwork for a county museum near the National Memorial. This museum operated from July 1966 until January 1997. At that time, the state took over the operations and renamed the museum, Arkansas Post Museum State Park.

The state park is at the turn off for the National Memorial. The park depicts the history of the Arkansas Grand Prairie and Delta from 1877 to mid-20^th century. Although five buildings are in the complex only two are original to the Grand Prairie. One is the 1877

which is a dog-trot. The home is furnished in the style of the 1800s and this architecture was typical of this time period.

Refeld-Hinman Log House

The other original structure is a playhouse containing children’s pieces from this era including original furniture and toys. The Carnes-Bonner Playhouse was built in 1933 and is a built to scale miniature of the Carnes family home. The playhouse has a wood burning fireplace, electric lights, and a screened back porch with a swing.

Carnes-Bonner Playhouse

Screened Back Porch with Swing

Another interesting piece is the gallows. The iron piece was built in 1908 and stored in the Arkansas County Jail in DeWitt. Although never used, we could just imagine what a “hanging” must have been like.

Gallows

Other buildings include a kitchen equipped with various period related cookware and utensils. The Peterson Building has a varied assortment of exhibits – military memorabilia, general store replica, farming equipment, and an early 1900s toy collection.

This park museum gave us a look into what life was like in this area of Arkansas during the late 1800s into the 1900s.

The state park found its home. It may not be as serene as the National Memorial, but it gives a look at life in the area. The treasures and memories are continued to be honored and shared.