New Exhibits

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.


What is a semi quincentennial?

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.

 

On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In commemoration of this national milestone, the Old Independence Regional Museum is opening a brand-new exhibit entitled “Echoes of Time.”

 

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.

Outdoor Learning Garden

Join us as we dig in with native flowers and plants, fruits and vegetables, and a large area showcasing the six geographic regions of Arkansas. This exhibit has broken ground and will grow throughout 2025. You can be a part of it! Two Saturdays a month we will offer classes on how to plant fruit trees, cultivate berry plants, care for tomatoes, and more. Classes will be free and open to the public. See our calendar for dates and times (scroll down the homepage to the calendar).

Earth Station on Main Street donated a forest of fruit trees to OIRM! We have most of the trees planted between the parking lot and the museum while the others will hit the ground once the asphalt is cleared away.

With the addition of a donated sorghum mill and railway cart, our new raised beds are coming together nicely. Our new garden shed will soon be outfitted to resemble a 1930s home. We have been constructing and filling raised beds for months and finally planted seeds last month. Look for sorghum, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and berries!

We relocated the Madam Queen’s bell and whistle to the atrium, giving these beautiful objects a showcase setting.

A Work in Progress

In an effort to update our displays, OIRM is creating a grand exhibit on clamming, pearling, button punching, and fishing. Once we have all our archives placed correctly, we will begin transforming the remaining area in the room to reflect our area’s past industries, including movie theaters, barbershops, and other businesses integral to our past.