The Little Rock area is home to Camp Robinson, the Little Rock Air Force Base and the birthplace of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, so it’s only natural that central Arkansas is rich with military history and attractions.
The Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum (501.371.8320), located on the Arkansas River in North Little Rock, offers a glimpse of something people don’t usually see in this state: a WWII submarine. The USS Razorback is available for tours, and two other vessels hold the facility’s museum, research library, exhibits and even a gift shop. Planners can rent any or all of the available spaces for events, and they can even order personalized dog tags for a theme party. Small groups of up to 35 can rent out the USS Razorback for an overnight stay and experience life aboard a wartime submarine.
The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas History (501.376.4602) has a proud and storied past. Originally built in 1840 as a defense against frontier attacks, the Tower building of the Little Rock Arsenal survived occupation by both sides in the Civil War and was the birthplace of MacArthur in 1880. Now it serves as a museum and memorial to those who have served and defended the state, from frontier times to the present. The museum is available for group events, and planners can also take advantage of speakers for both on-site and off-site events.
Just 20 minutes from downtown Little Rock is the Jacksonville Museum of Military History (501.241.1943), which features a restored F-105 aircraft and exhibits with information and artifacts from World War II to the Middle East. Located in a former ordnance plant, the museum has more than 14,000 square feet of space and is available for group rental.
Travel two miles and go back even further back in time to Reed’s Bridge Battlefield (501.982.1511), a Civil War site recognized on the National Register of Historic Places for its involvement in the 1863 campaign of Union troops trying to capture the state capitol. Tours of the battlefield can be arranged, or planners can set up a day of events, including costumed interpreters and living history lessons at the site’s replica cabin and barn.
