My mom and I had the best adventure recently at the Arkansas State Park Museum of Natural Resources near Smackover. While I make it a priority to visit as many Arkansas State Parks as possible, this has by far been one of my best experiences. While summer is winding down, this would be a great opportunity to visit and help your children bridge back into learning while still making great summer memories.
Not having grown up in Arkansas, I still feel like there are so many aspects of Arkansas history that I do not know or have a grasp about. And, while I’ve traveled all corners of this state, there are still pockets where I don’t’ feel like I know enough. One such area is Camden, Magnolia, El Dorado.
On a recent road trip, we just did the highlights of this area, but I knew I wanted to pull in and wander around the Museum of Natural Resources grounds. I just thought there were some oil derricks outside and then we would look at a clubhouse and take a restroom break and move on. But I was amazed. I did that, and when I walked inside, I learned there was so much more.
My Papa worked at an oil refinery, but I never knew much about the work he did, and I thought it would be fun for my mom and me to explore this adventure together.
So, what were some of the highlights?
- It’s an inside state park – great excursion for hot summer outings or rainy days
- Tells the story of the 1920s oil boom in Arkansas
- Small areas and makeshift businesses that sprung up across the town. They have a real town, not miniature, where you can see what life was like and what the towns of Smackover and El Dorado looked like during that time. The whole time I could just picture myself as a little kid walking around taking it all in and listening to the grown-up conversation. My imagination was going wild.
- Most Fascinating thing – Tinker Studio – part of Arkansas Discovery Network. It was a place to play, imagine, develop and discover, and for any sensory children or just children who want to play and create, this is a must-do. Thankfully it’s toward the end, so you have time to do all the learning first.
- Special feature and exhibit on understanding plastics and what products are made from petroleum and petroleum by-products. Like most things, it’s amazing how something like oil in the ground contributes to so many consumables in our life.
- Lots of Day Camp and classroom experience opportunities. The day we were there, they were getting ready for a Dino Camp the next day and were talking about the official dinosaur of the State of Arkansas, Arkansaurus Fridai that was discovered in Lockesburg, in the county where we live. She had done some research, but I loved getting to share some more with her that I’ve learned in our tourism research this past year.
What are some new things I learned about Arkansas and the Oil Industry?
- Not much has changed about the industries and agriculture of Arkansas – cash crops are always cash crops! Main crops, exports, and ways of business were cotton, timber and railroad. But oil changed everything and having access to the railroads made it a cash cow!
- 2/3rds of oil produced in America at that time was coming from southern Arkansas.
- World’s largest brine field is located in Smackover.
- Today, 10 counties in South Arkansas are the producing locations across Arkansas.
- This region was/is also known for its forestry contributions, and there is a great section on understanding and protecting this industry.
- The success rate for oil discovery was 92%.
- All of this discovery was made in a 60-mile radius area.
- Oil was discovered during prohibition and made for some interesting businesses and behaviors in these tents and makeshift towns that were established.
- Entrepreneurialism abounded, and Hamburger Row was developed. What is what? Vendors rented area between sidewalk and road to set up a business or rent out for tents or cots.
- Rag towns were developed in makeshift manners. Barbershops and mortuaries sprang up. Apparently, both were abundantly needed.
It was so fascinating, and I feel like I could go back so many times and read so many new boards and learn so many new things. My mom and I were both just soaking it all in.
What would make a successful day trip to Arkansas State Park Museum of Natural Resources?
- Pack a lunch and make a day of it – Treat this like you would an adventure any of the other Arkansas State Parks.
- There are snack and picnic areas outside in the oil derricks park, along the walking trail, or inside in a kitchen area near the restrooms.
- This park explores all the senses. The elevator ride is a “time capsule experience” traveling back to 200,000,000 million years ago-coolest thing!!! Lots to touch. Knobs to turn to pump oil. Levers in the plastics educational area. Great experience for children who like to explore STEM or sensory learning.
- Much of the museum is set up super kid-friendly. Markings along the carpet show pathways and there are low labels at kid’s eye levels. Look for the interactive videos.
- For the photo lover, murals along the way make great photo spots, or you can even pose for a selfie with Smokey, the Bear
- Others may have trouble walking or need lots of rests. Many benches are located along the outside paths, and inside you have places to stop and look or rest and read.
If you don’t have time to squeeze this in before school starts back, it would make a great stop on Fall Break or for a day trip on your Spring Break Staycation.
There is always so much fun to explore across Arkansas.
Additional Resources:
- Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources State Park Brochure and Information
- They have an indoor and outdoor meeting/gathering spaces
- Nearby Oil Heritage Park in downtown El Dorado
- Smackover Downtown Historic District – listed on the National Historic Register and the only “center of the road” traffic light in Arkansas.
- Newton House Museum – Civil War-era home in El Dorado
