Bentonville History Museum

06/11/2026

For the past 40 years, Randy Townzen’s Legend of the Hidden Harvest has quietly watched over downtown Bentonville.

Painted in 1986 to celebrate Benton County’s 150th anniversary, the mural contains nearly 90 references to the people, places, industries, and communities that helped shape our region. Most people pass it every day without realizing just how many stories are hidden within it.

This Saturday, we’ll take a closer look.

Join us for Pie & Public Art at the Bentonville Public Library as we explore the history of public art in Bentonville, share stories behind some of the city’s most recognizable artworks, and premiere a new short film about Randy Townzen and the creation of Legend of the Hidden Harvest.

🥧 Saturday, June 13
🕝 2:30–4:00 p.m.
📍 Bentonville Public Library

Come curious… and hungry! Pies generously donated by Gooseberry Handmade Pies, donuts and pastries from Rick’s Bakery, and coffee from 211 Cafe.

06/05/2026

Join us for Pie & Public Art at the Bentonville Public Library!

We invite you to enjoy pie while we talk about public art in Bentonville — its history, the process behind it, the people who help make it happen, and how community members can get more involved. Thanks to Kyle Yazzie of Downtown Bentonville Incorporated, the program will include a special short film presentation about Bentonville’s first public mural: Randy Townzen’s Legend of Hidden Harvest, which turns 40 this month.

Saturday, June 13
2:30–4:00 pm
Bentonville Public Library
Registration not required.

Panelists include:
Dana Doughty, Bentonville History Museum
Randy Townzen, Artist and Bentonville History Museum Board Member
Shelli Kerr, The City of Bentonville Arkansas Planning Department
Tom Hoehn, Public Art Advisory Board Member
OZ Art NWA Representative

Why pie? Because pie is good. And public art is good.

Special thanks to Gooseberry Handmade Pies for donating the deliciousness 🥧

05/22/2026

The Bentonville Public Art Advisory Board has launched a new student art initiative as part of America 250: What I Love About America.

Students in grades 7–12 are invited to submit original artwork reflecting what they love about America, with selected pieces becoming part of a community mural project highlighting student voices and perspectives.

As Bentonville continues conversations around public art, community identity, and shared spaces, we’re excited to help share opportunities like this that encourage creativity and civic engagement among young people.

Learn more at: www.bentonvillepublicart.com

And stay tuned — this June, the Bentonville History Museum and Bentonville Public Library will also be hosting community programming exploring the history of public art in Bentonville.

05/20/2026

Congratulations on the opening of the new Adult Recreation Center! We’re excited for all the ways it will create opportunities for community connection in the heart of downtown.

The Bentonville History Museum is also looking forward to upcoming programming partnerships with the ARC, including a public art walking tour June 10th exploring murals, sculpture, architecture, and historic spaces throughout downtown Bentonville.

Stay tuned for more details!

05/19/2026

Public art helps tell the story of a city, what it values, remembers, and imagines for the future.

We’re excited to see the continued work of Bentonville’s Public Art Advisory Board, and we’re also looking ahead to our upcoming program on Saturday, June 13 at the Bentonville Public Library exploring the history of art in public places in Bentonville.

This special community event will feature local artists, historians, curators, and conversations centered on the city’s evolving cultural landscape. More details soon!

The Public Art Advisory Board will meet on May 21, 2026 at 3:30 pm in City Hall to review art proposals for installation in Creekside Park. The meeting agenda with a list of proposals are available here: https://www.bentonville.ar.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=2840&month=5&year=2026&day=21&calType=0

04/21/2026

🍎Did you know Northwest Arkansas was once the Land of the Big Red Apple? 1901, Benton County had the largest growing apple industry in the United States!🍏

Thanks for sharing this, Benton County Historical Society.

This ad from the Benton County Democrat (July 16, 1936) is a great reminder of just how busy apple season used to be around here. With harvest set to begin September 1, Bentonville growers were looking for 200 pickers to bring in the crop—paid 4 to 5 cents per bushel for about six weeks of work.

At a time when Benton County boasted tens of thousands of apple trees, those apples didn’t just fill baskets—they filled wagonloads headed to packing sheds, vinegar plants, and even distilleries like Macon & Carson. It truly took a small army of workers to keep the “apple orchard of America” running.

Hard work, long days, and a whole lot of apples—just another season in Benton County.

04/15/2026

What a special milestone! Congratulations to Bogle’s Garden City on 50 years in Bentonville — a true local legacy, and such a meaningful part of our community’s story.

Bogle’s Garden City is celebrating 50 years in business—an incredible milestone that speaks volumes about the heart and dedication behind it. Even more meaningful is the number of long-time employees, a true reflection of the care, loyalty, and family atmosphere they’ve built over the years. For so many in Bentonville, Bogle’s isn’t just a garden center—it’s a place filled with memories, traditions, and inspiration!
To mark this special occasion, the Mayor and the Chamber stopped by to celebrate and present a special proclamation recognizing 50 years in business—such a well-deserved honor for a business that has given so much to the community.
Congratulations on 50 wonderful years in Bentonville. Your team’s knowledge, kindness, and willingness to help have made a lasting impact that will continue to grow for years to come.

04/14/2026

This was such a wonderful event, and a real pleasure to support. We were honored to help celebrate 100 years of the Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce and to share a small piece of Bentonville’s history as part of the occasion.

03/04/2026

An insightful conversation tomorrow morning with Dr. Chris Huggard at NorthWest Arkansas Community College.

Dr. Chris Huggard – Professor of History at NWACC who has published extensively on African American, southern, southwest, and mining histories – explores the human aftermath of the 1862 Battle of Pea Ridge, shifting focus from troop movements to the fractured communities left behind. While the battle secured Union control of Missouri and northern Arkansas, it also deepened divisions among neighbors who had once shared churches, markets, and family ties.
This talk examines how allegiance, occupation, and survival reshaped everyday life in the borderlands, where loyalty was often ambiguous and conflict personal.

02/18/2026

Join us for a free presentation about how the Bentonville Square has shaped our civic, commercial, and social life over time. From early market days to modern transformation, we’ll explore the stories that made the Square the heart of the city.

We’re excited to partner with Randy McCrory of Vintage Bentonville for this special afternoon at the Bentonville Public Library. The presentation will last about an hour, followed by time for conversation and light refreshments.