Are you ready for a spooky night of family fun?

Join us after dark... if you dare! We are hosting a Night at the Museum at the Old Independence Regional Museum in Batesville, AR! Bring the whole family for an evening packed with spooky season excitement.

We will have crafts, games, snacks and a costume contest.

Admission: Pay What You Can (All ages welcome!)

Gather your ghosts and ghouls and come celebrate with us. We can’t wait to see you there!

GROWING FAMILIES

Welcoming New Life in Arkansas

What does it mean to welcome a new life into the world?

For generations of Arkansas families, pregnancy, childbirth, and caring for a newborn were experiences shaped by family traditions, community support, and the knowledge of mothers and midwives. Long before modern hospitals and home pregnancy tests, families relied on local wisdom, rural maternity homes, and dedicated caregivers to navigate life's earliest milestones.

This exhibit explores the journey from expecting a child to welcoming a newborn. Through photographs, artifacts, and personal stories, visitors will discover how Arkansas families prepared for birth, cared for infants, documented new arrivals, and celebrated the growth of their families.

EXHIBIT OPENING

October 24 | 10 a.m. – Noon

• Presentation by Stephanie Saunders, Lyon College professor and author of Covered Buttons

• Ribbon-cutting ceremony

• Explore the new exhibit

• Light refreshments

• Admission $5

Explore:

• The history of pregnancy and childbirth in Arkansas
• Traditional midwives and "granny women"
• The Stork Inn of Pleasant Plains
• Birth certificates and baby footprints
• Maternity clothing and community support traditions
• Historic photographs, artifacts, and family stories

Whether you are interested in local history, family genealogy, healthcare history, or simply curious about how Arkansas families welcomed new life through the generations, this exhibit offers a unique look at one of life's most meaningful journeys.

Come discover the story of birth, babies, and family life in Arkansas.

Have you ever wondered about the history of Mennonite communities in Arkansas?

Join us for an afternoon of local history as we explore Mennonite life, traditions, and heritage in our state. Following the presentation, guests are invited to enjoy a short musical program.

We hope you'll join us!

Come join OIRM as we learn about paleontology in Arkansas!

What will we be learning? What paleontologist do, what kinds of fossils you can find in Arkansas and we will figure out if there were dinosaurs in Arkansas.

There will be a “dig” for Crinoids and a card activity that will challenge us to figure out what saber tooth cats and other Pleistocene creatures were eating.

Join us at the Old Independence Regional Museum on Sunday, June 28, at 2:00pm for a special free program commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

Dr. Kieran O’Keefe, Assistant Professor of History at Lyon College, will discuss his new book, Suffering for the Crown: The Hudson Valley Loyalists and the Violence of Revolution. In this presentation, he examines the American Revolution as a civil war, exploring the experiences of Americans who remained loyal to the British Crown and those who supported the creation of a new nation. The talk will explore the war's enduring psychological and social legacies, providing a nuanced understanding of the Revolution's human cost. Book sales and signing will follow the talk.  

Visitors will also have the opportunity to revisit Batesville’s celebration of the American Bicentennial in 1976. Jim and Anne Bechdoldt will share memories from their journey on the Bicentennial Wagon Train, which traveled across the United States from the West Coast to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, exactly fifty years ago.

Attendees are encouraged to support the museum’s “250 for 2.50” fundraising campaign in honor of this historic national milestone. Donors will be recognized on the museum’s special Honor Roll. Admission for Independence Day week will also be $2.50. Every contribution helps the OIRM preserve, research, and share the stories that connect our community to the nation’s past.

Founded in 1820 and named in honor of the Declaration of Independence, Independence County offers a unique opportunity to reflect on our region’s place in American history. Visitors are invited to explore the museum’s new exhibit, Echoes of Time, which examines our nation’s symbols, Independence Day celebrations, and the communities and landmarks in our region named for veterans of conflicts ranging from the Revolutionary War to World War II.

Community support helps make these programs possible. To become a member, donate, or learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact the museum at (870) 793-2121 or visit oirm.org. Contributions help support exhibits, educational programming, and the preservation of our region’s history.

Join us on June 6 for the opening of our newest exhibit, "Tying the Knot: Courtship & Weddings in Arkansas!"

Explore the history of courtship and marriage in Arkansas through:

• Historic wedding dresses dating back to 1907

• Regional wedding photographs

• Traditions and customs through the decades

• Interactive learning opportunities

Light refreshments will be available while supplies last.

We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate the history, traditions, and stories of Arkansas weddings through the generations.

The Old Independence Regional Museum will host a ceremony in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day on Friday, May 15, 2026, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The public is invited to join in commemorating law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

The museum will welcome two guest speakers, along with a keynote address from Leslie Rutledge, Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas. A local pastor will read the names of fallen officers from among the twelve counties that once made up Old Independence County and offer a prayer in their memory. An honor guard will host a flag demonstration.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which it falls as Police Week. This observance honors officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, as well as those who continue to serve and protect their communities with dedication and courage.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., features the names of more than 21,000 officers who have been killed in the line of duty. Each year, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

This ceremony offers time to reflect on the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers, past and present. In this moment of remembrance, the community is invited to stand together in gratitude and respect.

Community support helps make these programs possible. To become a member, donate, or learn about volunteer opportunities, please contact the museum at (870) 793-2121 or visit oirm.org. Contributions help fund new exhibits and educational programming.

The Independence County Historical Society is hosting its annual business meeting. This event is open to the public; however, no speaker will be present.

Join us for Homeschool Day on Friday, April 17, at the Old Independence Regional Museum from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM.

Students will enjoy hands-on crafts and engaging activities they’re sure to love! Kids will connect creativity with Arkansas history.

Our educational programming is designed for reading-age students to encourage participation and meaningful learning.

To register your students, please contact us or visit oirm.org.

(870) 793-2121

educator@oirm.org

380 S. 9th Street, Batesville, AR 72501

Spots are limited, so be sure to sign up soon!

Celebrate 250 years of history with OIRM! Join us April 17 for the opening of "Echoes of Time," our newest exhibit honoring the United States' 250th anniversary.

On April 17, 1783, Arkansas Post was attacked by British irregulars and Chickasaw led by Captain James Colbert. The Colbert Raid was the only battle fought in present-day Arkansas during the American Revolution and was the last land-based engagement of the conflict.

Travel back in time to Batesville’s celebration of the American Bicentennial in 1976. Learn about Jim Bechdoldt’s journey along the Bicentennial Wagon Train, which traveled from the West Coast to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Discover the symbols that represent our nation, from Lady Liberty to Uncle Sam. Visitors are also invited to reflect on what it means to be an American and what our role is in the nation’s ongoing democratic experiment.

Independence County, founded in 1820 and named in honor of the Declaration of Independence, offers visitors a chance to reflect on our region’s place in the history of the United States. Explore the communities and landmarks across our twelve-county region that are named after veterans of conflicts ranging from the Revolutionary War to World War II. The exhibit also provides an opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of veterans past and present.

On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Community support helps make these programs possible. To become a member, donate, or learn more about volunteer opportunities, please contact the museum at (870) 793-2121 or visit oirm.org. Contributions help fund new exhibits and educational programming.

The Old Independence Regional Museum is hosting its Spring Family Day on Saturday, March 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This free, family-friendly event celebrates Arkansas’s title as the “Natural State.”

Visitors can enjoy hands-on activities, nature-themed crafts, and live demonstrations from the Arkansas Trappers Association, local flintknappers, and more. The Tri-County Tractor Club will also be returning to the museum.

We hope you’ll come visit us at the Old Independence Regional Museum for a fun and educational day!

Dig into the Past at Archaeology Day at OIRM!

Join Dr. Jason Kennedy, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Lyon College, on Saturday, March 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Dr. Kennedy will lead hands-on activities and demonstrations highlighting his archaeological excavations in downtown Batesville and the surrounding area.

Come explore Arkansas history, agriculture, and food festivals with us this Friday!

Join us for Homeschool Day this Friday, February 20, at the Old Independence Regional Museum from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM.

Students will have lots of fun with hands-on crafts, activities, and learning your students will love. Kids can make animals using an assortment of dried beans, rice, and corn!

Our educational programming is designed for reading-age students to enhance child participation and learning.

Celebrate the holiday season with us at our annual Christmas Family Day—a festive event for the whole family!

Enjoy live music from the Batesville Brass Quintet, explore the charm of the season with the Antique Tractor Club and their decked-out, holiday-themed tractors, and dive into a variety of crafts and hands-on activities for all ages.

Step back in time with old-fashioned holiday traditions, including a nostalgic taffy pull and other classic winter pastimes. It’s a perfect way to create lasting memories while experiencing the warmth and wonder of Christmases past.

Admission is free and festive attire encouraged!

Come celebrate the spirit of the season with us!