Old State House Museum

Hello readers!

We apologize for the delay in posts! We have had a few weeks of extremely busy schedules.

On Saturday, March 8, we made a trip to Little Rock to begin our search for centers of folklore and stories. Our first stop was the Old State House Museum.

The Old State House (OHS) is Arkansas's original capitol building; construction began in 1833 and was completed in 1842. When Arkansas gained its statehood in 1836, the legislators began to use the building despite continued construction. After 75 years of use, the Old State House was replaced in 1911 by the current Capitol building. The landmark went through a series of different uses until it became a museum in 1947, and was overseen by the new Arkansas Commemorative Commission.

A number of notable events have occurred in the halls of the OSH. In 1837, only a year after Arkansas became a state, a fatal knife fight broke out in the House of Representatives Chamber on the second floor. The argument began after Rep. J.J. Anthony subtly insulted Speaker of the House John Wilson during a debate on how to fund a bounty on wolf pelts. Accounts differ on who first pulled their weapon, but within moments, Anthony lay dead with a knife through his heart.

House of Representatives Chamber

In 1861, the OSH saw Arkansas secede from the Union. Over the course of the war, the building became the Confederate and later the Union state capitol. During Reconstruction, the Brooks-Baxter War broke out concerning a dispute over who was the proper governor. Elisha Baxter was elected governor, but Joseph Brooks led a small militia that ousted Baxter. A two-month civil war broke out until the federal government declared Baxter the rightful governor. Somewhere between 40-200 people died during the conflict.

Throughout its illustrious history, the Old State House has gathered a few ghost stories. Some employees claim they have heard noises in empty rooms; that they sometimes feel an unsettling chill; and that objects move when no one is looking.

Some claim that the Representatives Chamber is haunted, possibly because of the murder of J.J. Anthony. Others say that the ghost of a dejected Brooks walks the halls of the OSH. According to one employee, a paranormal crew visited the building and claimed to have found a spirit. However, she has never experienced anything herself. Whether ghosts walk the halls or not is still up for question, but stories continue to persist.

While we have no evidence either way, the preservation of the building and the historical displays throughout show that Arkansans hold their history dear. One of the current and more modern exhibits is titled "Lights, Camera, Arkansas!", which documents various films that were either filmed in Arkansas or had actors with Arkansas ties.

Lights, Camera, Arkansas!

Media becomes an important way for Arkansas to express its people and folklore. For example, there was a movie poster for the Legend of Boggy Creek. The movie was based off an urban legend that spread through south Arkansas.

People find it important to recognize their tales, be it through ghost stories, movies, or recorded history. These help build the cultures and values of our community, allowing us to remember and relive our past in one way or another. Our visit to the Old State House directed us to this important facet of culture.