Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources
An Outstanding Facility with Lots of Interactive Displays
Check out the slide shows, pictures, videos, and information below.
This museum is near the small town of Smackover, Arkansas. It is a unique resource to display the history of the growth of the petroleum and brine industries in the state. The museum has award-winning displays including a reconstructed old street scene from the 1920's Arkansas oil boom town. Outside the museum are pumps, oil rigs, and other artifacts that were used in the boom days in the Smackover area. This museum is free to the public and open every day except New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
The park has no camping or lodging facilities, but it has places to enjoy a picnic lunch. If you wish to camp, check out Moro Bay State Park. For those wanting a motel, the city of Smackover, Arkansas, can accommodate you.
You can find out more about this museum by going to the Arkansas State Parks website.
Restored Oil Site from Early Days in Smackover, AR
Informational Sign Display Concerning Lufkin Pumping Unit
Pump and Storage for Oil Typical of 1940's
Dick Is Walking from Displays toward Visitor Center
These are pictures from the 1920's re-created street scene of the oil boom period IN Smackover.
The picture above shows the rings of a tree cut down. Below, Arlene stands before a display in the museum.
Below is a re-created Oil Rig from the 1920's boom times in Smackover. Petroleum plus bromine are still extracted today in this area of Arkansas with modern day equipment. Today oil and brine are used in productus we use daily making this part of Arkansas a very important area for obtaining these resources.
