Founded in 1998, the Heritage House Museum in Mt. Ida is dedicated to preserving the rich history of the region while also spreading awareness and promoting preservation through a number of informative exhibits.
Your museum experience begins right when you step in through the gates which transport you into a Montgomery County of a different time period altogether. Here, the paved brick pathway is built of hard-fired bricks and engraved memories of many a visitor who has stepped into the museum. These bricks are custom made for the museum by the Acme Brick Company and consist of up to three lines of dedications. You can also vouch your support to the museum's cause by purchasing a brick at $30 and make yourself an irreplaceable part of the museum's history.
The museum's exhibits are aimed towards preserving the words, deeds and activities that have shaped the present day Montgomery. The collection is updated regularly but is always designed to pay a special tribute to the contributions made by the timber industry, the Quartz Crystal, which this region is famous for, and also the historic Lake Ouachita. All the exhibits belong to the period between 1800 and 1975 and include interactive displays like a Cider Press which dates back to 1890, a hand powered drill press, fishing tackle and a breathtaking exhibit of Quartz Crystal. You can also visit the Barn which has been constructed by local craftsmen as yet another unique gallery, using as much local timer and regional produce as possible. The Barn is one of the most accurate representations of the authentic barn structures which were prevalent in the Montgomery of the 1800s.
The staff is eager and enthusiastic and is comprised solely of volunteers who will often take the time to explain the museum's exhibits in detail to interested visitors. The Museum gardens are flecked with comfortable benches for visitors to soak in the old fashioned charm of the museum and all it has to offer. You can even buy quaint souvenirs and informative booklets at the Gift Shop, which are a great way to take home a piece of the historic Montgomery County.
The museum is open from 9 am to 4 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 1 pm to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, you can even call ahead to arrange for a guided tour if you are planning to visit the Heritage House Museum in a group.
For further information, you can call the museum at (870) 867-3366 or refer to their website http://www.hhmmc.org .
The Heritage House Museum
819 Luzerne Street
Mount Ida, AR 71957-1362
