bridging the past and future
Our Exhibits
The Calico Rock Museum & Visitor Center showcases the rich heritage of our community. Explore exhibits that highlight the unique stories and historical artifacts of Calico Rock. The unique thing about the Calico Rock Museum is that guests literally walk into our history with immersive exhibits from the deck of the Ozark Queen steamboat, the General Store, or entering a wikihut built by Shawnee along the river.
The Ben Sanders Discovery Center features exhibits where guests explore why Calico Rock became a natural spot for development and how the people survived in this rugged, yet beautiful, landscape.
The Windgate Art Center, E.C. Rodman Atrium, and Tomlinson Art Center feature over 300 works of art from locals to world famous artists like Alice Neel, Dale Chihuly, and Andy Warhol.
book the nook
A Space to Gather
A Space to Gather
The Nook is a perfect location to gather for baby and wedding showers, memorials, family reunions, group meetings, corporate retreats, birthday parties, or just gather with friends.
Cozy, Yet Elegant
A Space to Gather
The Nook offers a space that provides comfort with class and elegance. The Nook is available for a 6-hour reservation from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
No Code & Convenient
Location and Terms of Use
The Nook offers a convenient location for your gathering. A catering kitchen, restrooms, tables and chairs are included in the $50 service fee for a 6-hour reservation. No deposit is required. The door will be AUTOMATICALLY unlocked during your reservation period, so you don't need a code to enter the building or to try to remember. We've made it easy to host your event.
Location and Terms of Use
Location and Terms of Use
Location and Terms of Use
84 Peppersauce Alley
Calico Rock, Arkansas
By booking The Nook, you agree
to comply with the Term of Use which are found in the downloads section of this webpage below.
JOIN US JUNE 14th FOR OUR GRAND OPENING
OUR GRAND OPENING
You are invited to the GRAND OPENING of the Calico Rock Museum & Visitor Center on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. This is Rodeo Weekend and the Rodeo Parade will be on Main Street at 11:00 a.m. So, it will be a great day to come watch the parade, shop the street and grab some lunch, then join us to dedicate and officially open the museum. A reception will follow with punch and cookies prepared by the Printing Press Cafe!
We will have a short ceremony to dedicate the museum, E.C. Rodman Atrium presented by First National Bank of Izard County, the Barbara Rota Gallery, the Glenda Kankey Small Gallery, the Matthews Family Pioneers Gallery, the Ben Sanders Discovery Center, and the Sue McCluskey Birth of the Ozarks Gallery during this time. Join us as we set aside these spaces to future generations in honor of these amazing friends and supporters of the museum.
As we prepare for this big event, we want to add your family's pioneer photos to the Pioneers gallery. We need good photos that can be scanned by Friday, May 30 to give us time to get them ready and hung on the gallery wall. The best photos are ones that clearly show a person's face. They can be couples. The pictures can be professional shots or candid photos. You can bring them by the museum in an envelope with your name, address, and phone number on the envelope.
We will see you on June 14.
These exhibits rival what I have seen as some of the greatest museums in the world. I would expect to find this museum in a big city, not a small Arkansas town. And, it was free!
A Recent Visitor from Chicago
Calico Rock Museum & Visitor Center
MEET OUR TEAM
Bambi Killian Bowden Executive Director
Loretta Shannon Guest Experiences Lead
Loretta Shannon Guest Experiences Lead
Bambi brings her experience as a law firm office manager, marketing specialist, and nonprofit volunteer coordinator to lead our team of professionals in serving our community.
Call: 870-916-2230
Loretta Shannon Guest Experiences Lead
Loretta Shannon Guest Experiences Lead
Loretta Shannon Guest Experiences Lead
Loretta is an artisan, science educator, retail sales specialist, and writer who has transformed our Artisan Gift Shop into a premier shopping destination. She is a wealth of ideas and always ready to help.
Call: 870-297-6100