ASU Museum nears completion
of 'Living off the Land' exhibit

The Arkansas State University Museum closed the southwest corner of the museum in 1997 to begin construction of the "Living off the Land" permanent exhibit.  Construction has occurred as money was available.  Construction is finally nearing completion.

Living off the Land will contain agriculture, household tools, waterways and lumbering exhibits.  The period covered will be approximately 1880 to 1920 to complement the Old Town exhibition.

The agriculture exhibit is installed.  It includes implements used to till, plant and harvest crops using mule-power, plus additional objects related to farming.

The household tools case is near complete.  The exhibit to be installed will contain a loom, spinning wheel, sewing machines, washing machines, churns and smaller objects such as kitchen tools, irons, washboards and more.

The waterways and lumber exhibit cases are expected to be complete this summer.  The waterways exhibit will contain a wooden dugout canoe, 19th century fish trap, information about the mussel shell industry and trapping.

The lumbering exhibit will include a one-man crosscut saw as well as numerous photographs of this region while the land was being cleared.

The covered wagon will be back on exhibit.  Originally the log cabin was in this area, but it will no longer be on exhibit due to its poor condition.  Early Arkansas maps and history of the state will also be exhibited in this area.

The ASU Museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.  The public is welcome.  Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $2 per visitor.  For more information call the museum at (870) 972-2074.

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