Aug. 7, 2006 -- The Arkansas State University Museum is announcing the opening of the new permanent exhibition, "Living Off the Land."  This exhibition is about life in this part of the state during the late 19th and early 20th century.  An opening reception will be held Sunday, Aug. 27, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.  The public is invited.

Living Off the Land includes exhibits of early agricultural implements, household tools for making a woman’s work easier, clearing the land and timber industry, life on the water, Arkansas maps and the covered wagon.

The agriculture area includes mule-powered farm implements that were once commonly used, such as hay rake, grain drill, plows and more.

Household tools on exhibit include early washing machines, sewing machines, irons, scrub boards and churns.

Clearing the land includes an early surveyor’s chain, crosscut saw, cant hook, raft shackles and raft auger.

Life on the water includes a dugout canoe, 19th century fish trap, Indiana-style fishing reel with line from the 1920s and tools from the mussel shell button industry.

Maps on exhibition include a map of the St. Francis Basin of the Alluvial Valley of the Mississippi River, 1929.  This map was prepared by the Army Corps of Engineers in response to the Flood of 1927.  Many early photographs are included in these exhibits. 

The ASU Museum, located at 110 Cooley Drive in the Dean B. Ellis Library complex, is open to the public.  Admission is a suggested $2 donation.  Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.  For information call (870) 972-2074 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.