The Fort Smith National Historic Site in Fort Smith, Arkansas
On September 13, 1961, Fort Smith was designated as a National Historic Park by President John F Kennedy. By that point, the Fort had a long history, from its establishment in 1817 through the Civil War and into the years it was used as a Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas.
Historical scholars categorize the site's history by three time periods: First Fort (1827-1824), Second Fort (1838-1871), and Judicial (1878-1896). However, "the history of the Fort Smith National Historic Site and Arkansas River Valley areas spans as far as 12,000 years ago to include the prehistoric cultural history."
Today, visitors can explore the Fort Smith site and learn about each stage of history it passed through and the individuals and groups impacted by its presence.
Historical Collections:
The collections of artifacts and primary source materials available through the Fort Smith Historic Site span the scope of the site's history. Collections include a post card series, Civil War era documents and artifacts, and legal documents and materials from the site's time as a jail and courthouse. While these collections can be viewed online, when you visit in person you can take a guided tour through the sites and see many of these items in person. For example, visitors can still view the restored Courtroom of Judge Isaac C. Parker, who presided over the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas for 21 years. The site also includes research and information on the nature and geography in the area, exploring the plants and animals of the region as well as the natural geography, ecosystems, and relationships between nature and the people who lived there.
Educational Resources:
The Fort Smith Historic Site also has resources for learners! Visitors to the park can have a guided experience with a knowledgeable park ranger, who can share detailed stories of the history of Fort Smith. Some program options include a standard tour of the site and grounds, a Trail of Tears program, Civil War in Arkansas, and Fort Smith Military History. The site also provides worksheets for students to complete while seeing the variety of exhibits on location. The site also offers fee waiver for accredited education institutions and homeschool groups for instructors and chaperones!
Plan Your Visit:
For a complete list of operating hours for all of the Fort Smith sites and exhibits, visit their website at: https://www.nps.gov/fosm/planyourvisit/hours.htm. General admission is $10, but they offer a variety of fee-free days throughout the year, as well as special rates for groups, educators, and learners. To plan a visit or a virtual chat with a park ranger, reach out to Education Coordinator Cody Faber at Cody_Faber@nps.gov.
