2023 Events

2023 Movies at MacArthur Schedule

On the Road with Mark Christ

September 23, 2023

It’s been a long four years since our last trip to Helena. A few things got in the way (COVID and construction) but we’re planning to resume the program this fall with a tour of Cane Hill and Prairie Grove sites on September 23. The cost will be $100 per person, which includes reserved seating on the Little Rock Tours bus, a box lunch at Cane Hill, and visits to these two important Civil War sites. Mark Christ returns as our host for the upcoming tour. As usual, the bus will depart from the museum at 7:00 a.m. and return no later than 7:30 p.m.

To reserve a seat please call the museum or email Stephan McAteer.

Tinkerfest

September 16, 2023

9 a.m.- 3 p.m.

For the twelfth year in a row, Tinkerfest returns to Museum of Discovery! Guests of all ages will love this hands-on event that celebrates innovation, making, arts and creativity!

Tinkerfest events are included in the museum's regular daily admission: $12 for adults, $10 for children 1-12 and free for infants younger than 1. Seniors, teachers, Little Rock city employees and active and retired military are admitted for $10. SNAP recipients plus an additional five people are admitted for $2.

Purchase Tickets

10th Annual Vintage Military Vehicle Show

October 14, 2023 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

The 10th Annual Vintage Military Vehicle Show will be held on the historic parade grounds behind the museum. The Arkansas Military Vehicle Preservation Association will be bringing out their jeeps, hummers, and much more for visitors to take see. The event will also include WW2 Reenactors of Arkansas and refreshments provided by Blue Bell Creameries, Central Arkansas Water and Woodmen Life.

Admission is free!

If you have a vintage military vehicle that you would like to be included in the show, please register here: https://forms.gle/nGtS3zEW1rTQPUrCA

Arkansas Paranormal Expo

October 28-29, 2023 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

The Arkansas Paranormal Expo is a benefit supporting the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History.

The Arkansas Paranormal Expo has grown to be the biggest and most popular event of its kind in all of Arkansas. The A.P.E. organizers are adding even more vendors and speakers! Subjects such as, UFO's, Bigfoot, Cryptozoology, Psychic Phenomena & Ghost Hunting will take the stage, proving in-depth education and intriguing insight. We are proud to showcase and support keynote speakers, local experts and forerunners of paranormal exploration.

Everyone loves our Raffle & Silent Auction! There will be a variety of items, such as a Ghost Hunt at MacArthur Museum, Gift Baskets, Books, Haunted Tours of Little Rock Tickets, Razorback items, Psychic Readings and much more!

Past Events

Korean War Armistice Day Ceremony

July 27, 2023 10 a.m.

The Arkansas Department of Veterans' Affairs will host a ceremony honoring the Korean War Armistice. The ceremony will take place inside the museum and will be followed by a wreath-laying at the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

Join us for the opening reception for "The Color of Freedom" exhibit. The reception is a drop-in event from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. with speakers at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The exhibit honors the diversity of women in the U.S. Armed Forces. For more information about the exhibit click here.

Celebrate Flag Day at this old-fashioned concert in the park, featuring marches, patriotic songs, show tunes, and a special tribute to America’s favorite pastime with “Casey at the Bat” with narrator Steve Hancock. This FREE performance is fun for the whole family! Israel Getzov conducts.

Hosted by MacArthur Museum and LR Parks & Recreation.
FREE Ice Cream from Blue Bell Creameries!
FREE Flags to Wave from WoodmenLife!
FREE Ice Water from Central Arkansas Water!

The concert will be held on the parade grounds directly behind the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History.

The concert will be cancelled if the weather is uncooperative.

Donations accepted.

Preview Reception and "Rosie the Riveter" Performance

May 18, 2023

Preview Reception at MacArthur Museum 5-6:30 p.m. (Tickets Required)

"Rosie the Riveter" at Clinton Presidential Center, Great Hall 7-8:30 p.m. (Free Admission) Register for the event here:

https://forms.clinton-foundation.org/view.php?id=865662

Manufacturing Victory: The Arsenal of Democracy tells the inspiring story of the Home Front during World War II, an effort that produced tanks, planes, ships and guns with staggering speed and unparalleled energy. This surge in productivity not only brought the country out of depression, but also created mighty military forces, supplies the Allies abroad and opened new doors of opportunity and social change for Americans.

Join us for a special preview of this traveling exhibit and see how Americans responded to the call to action, transforming the United States from an isolationist nation still reeling from the Great Depression into the world's greatest industrial power.

Tickets for this fundraising event are $125 per person and include admission to the preview reception and reserved seating afterward for a living history presentation by Kelly O'Connell Brengelman as "Rosie the Riveter". Proceeds support the museum's educational programming.

To purchase tickets please call the museum at 501.376.4602. All contributions are tax deductible.

The MacArthur Park 5K is an annual race in downtown Little Rock coordinated by the MacArthur Park Group, Little Rock Parks & Recreation and Downtown Little Rock Partnership. (macarthurparklr.org) The 3.1 mile race (5K) begins from the North Lawn (9th Street) of MacArthur Park in front of the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. The MacArthur Park 5K is held each year in May. This year proceeds will go towards renovating and improving Foster Pond in MacArthur Park!

Registration will open April 1st. https://runsignup.com/Race/AR/LittleRock/MacArthurPark5K

Volunteers are needed for the race and will receive spectator access and a t-shirt. Volunteer sign up will open on April 1st.

Packet pick up and same day registration is from 5 p.m.- 6:45p.m. on Friday, May 5 on the parade grounds directly behind the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. You will receive your t-shirt, bib and chip. The race will begin promptly at 7 p.m. This race is timed using chip timing. Each chip must be returned to the race organizers once you cross the finish line.

Once you've crossed the finish line, please stay for the awards ceremony, live music by Jimmy Lynn's Psychedelic Velocity with plenty of food and drinks including Stone's Throw Brewing beer!

Spectators are welcome to hang around the park to watch and take in some live music and refreshments. Spectator entry is $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.

All proceeds support MacArthur Park.

Me lords, ladies and science nerds of the little rock court, come ye to Science Aft’r Dark, at the Museum of Discov’ry!

Drink and make good cheer whilst learning of the many marvelous scientific discoveries of the Renaissance Era. There will be beer from Stone's Throw for purchase along with vodka cocktails and traditional Ren faire foods!

Tickets: sales.museumofdiscovery.org/performance.aspx

Holiday Music at the Arsenal

This event has been postponed due to illness. It will now take place Sunday, January 8th.

After a two year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Holiday Music at the Arsenal concert is back for its 11th year! The talented students of the Margaret Wyatt Piano and Vocal Studio will again be entertaining us with their extraordinary voices and skills on the piano. Refreshments will be provided and admission is free.

Lens, Pens, and Lyrics

The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History will host a panel of three extraordinary individuals who will share military remembrances through their craft by reflecting on personal experiences. Each will speak about 30 minutes and be part of a questions and answers session.

Bruce Wesson, a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army who led a five-man, Department of Defense, Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) combat photography film team known as the "MACV Army A Team" from 1967-68. A collection of his photographs are on exhibit in the museum's Vietnam Gallery.

Pat C. Hoy II (PhD, University of Pennsylvania) former Mellon Visiting Professor of English at Hendrix College held appointments at the U.S. Military Academy, Harvard, and New York University (Emeritus), is an award winning author of numerous work and textbooks on composition.

Paul Tull, a musician and Director of Freedom Sings Arkansas will discuss how music can help veterans. He is a team member of "Freedom Sings USA." The organization helps veterans, active duty military, and their families reach emotional balance by telling their stories through the creative process of songwriting. It also promotes public support, education and appreciation for the sacrifice veterans and their families make serving our country through hearing their stories told through song.

This panel discussion will be held November 5th, 2022 at 1 p.m. and is free admission.

Specter Supper

October 31st 7 p.m.

Join us for a hauntingly delicious meal catered by Trio’s followed by a ghost hunting demonstration led by Rhonda Burton, Arkansas Ghost Catchers, and a tour of the Haunted Tower of the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History led by Linda Howell, Haunted Tours of Little Rock. All proceeds will be used for ongoing projects in the park including pond maintenance, lighting and sidewalk repair. Tickets are $75 and costumes are encouraged! www.macarthurparklr.org/spectersupper

Arkansas Paranormal Expo

The Arkansas Paranormal Expo is a benefit supporting the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. This year marks the expo's 10th Anniversary!

Big Boo!seum Bash

Little Rock Big Boo!seum Bash will return to the physical realm this year! On October 27th from 5:30-8:30 museum staff will be outside of Curran Hall (Little Rock Visitor Center; 615 E Capitol Ave) handing out tricks and treats! Come by and see us for this spooktacular event!

Join us for the 9th Annual Vintage Military Vehicle Show on the historic parade grounds behind the museum, featuring Jeeps and other vehicles from members of the Arkansas Military Vehicle Preservation Association and performances by the WWII Reenactors of Arkansas. Refreshments provided by Blue Bell Ice Cream, Central Arkansas Water, and Woodman Life.

Admission is free!
To Register a Vehicle for the Show please sign up here: https://forms.gle/arZWtFXRvZX1aCsr7

Join us for an Open House evening from 6-7:30 p.m. September 26th. Explore the museum and learn about what all we have to offer. We will have a small activity planned and refreshements!