Last Sunday, the Fort Smith Museum of History was a super sweet place to officially say goodbye to summer as it hosted a community-wide ice cream social inside its historic building’s old fashioned Soda Fountain and Pharmacy.
Paying just $5.00 gave guests entry to all of the museum’s exhibits plus all-you-can-eat make-your-own sundaes. Yum!
I’ve been to the museum many times before but this annual ice cream deal called me back. Here’s one of my favorite concoctions, which consists of half chocolate ice cream and half strawberry ice cream with hot fudge on the strawberry and strawberry sauce on the chocolate. Hey, that’s my jam!!
There was a really good turnout for the event, including a local news station…
By the way, click this link to watch a video about the event — and check out the two second clip near the beginning of the girl paying to get in. Look familiar?? Hehe.
The museum is housed inside the old Atkinson-Williams Warehouse Building, which was built in 1907 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s dedicated to preserving and exhibiting objects of significance to the town, including an 1826 cannon, a 1908 fire engine steam pumper, several really old cars, an 1816 loom and 1826 sewing machine, and more.
It also features a Museum of Tools and a room that celebrates Fort Smith’s own William O. Darby, who led the famous “Darby’s Rangers.”
But my favorite has always been its 1920s replica pharmacy and working Soda Fountain. In fact, my real dad is such a huge fan that every single time he visits me from Wichita, we have to stop by for a float or ice cream soda – both of which are soooooo good.
In fact, my Dad always gets cherry ice cream mixed with cherry vanilla Coke and soda water and I get strawberry ice cream mixed with strawberry Coke.
If you ever find yourself in downtown Fort Smith, be sure to check out the History Museum. And then take a sweet, refreshing break. You won’t be sorry!
NOTE: The museum will now be open only Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 ’til 5 until next Summer.
I have lived 30 minutes away from this wonderful treasure and never visited. A visit is now in my near future. Thanks for the delightful story.
You’ve never been before Cheryl?? Let me know when you finally decide to check it out — and I’ll meet up with you in the Soda Shop.
This is such a wonderful museum that every time we have out of town visitors, we take them over there. Thank you for bringing it to the attention of others. It’s a true must see.
Thank you for stopping by! It really is a fun (and tasty) place.
Hmmmm… sounds like a great day trip date! Love an old fashioned soda.
Me too Sarah! I had no idea such an old fashioned treat could taste so wonderful