Knowing statehood was in the works, residents of the Arkansas Territory began building the Old State House for the first state capitol years before Arkansas became a state. Construction was well underway when Arkansas joined the United States on June 15, 1836, and the building opened its doors for the first general assembly later that year. The construction was fully completed before the state’s seventh birthday.

Each year, the Old State House Museum invites the public to celebrate the state’s birthday with Arkansas’s Big Birthday Bash. During this event, local restaurants and retailers run special promotions where a portion of sales from certain products are donated to the Old State House Museum.

The public can help celebrate Arkansas’s statehood and support the Old State House Museum through these promotions from June 7 through June 15:

• Order a signature Peachy Keet drink from Petit and Keet Bar and Grill, and the museum gets 20 percent of the proceeds.

• Order online any Rock City Outfitters T-shirt or item related to Arkansas or any Arkansas city, and the museum get $10 per item.

• Buy any 8-by-10 inch print from Bedford Camera and Video, and the museum gets 20 percent.

• Buy Riverdale Pale Ale or a seasonal cider from Stone’s Throw Brewing, and the museum gets $1 from every pint sold.

• Indulge in Loblolly Creamery’s Arkansas Mud pints, and the museum gets 10 percent.

• Purchase any home flag kit from Arkansas Flag and Banner, and the museum gets 10 percent.

• Treat yourself to any jewelry with the Arkansas theme at Bella Vita Jewelry, and the museum gets 10 percent.

• Eat at Eat My Catfish on N. Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. June 8 or June 9, and the museum gets 10 percent of the proceeds.

“Many of these local merchants are feeling the financial effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic,” said Rae Ann Fields, the museum’s development director. “The Big Birthday Bash will be a great opportunity to show your Arkansas pride by supporting these local businesses and the Old State House Museum at the same time.”

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS!