In June of 1981 the first public meeting was held to organize the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center. After an initial donation from Russellville Junior Auxiliary and commitments from community leaders, the Center officially opened its doors to the public at an all day celebration on October 7, 1981.

Tourism and Visitor Interests
Recreational Sites

This area, commonly know as Tri-Peaks, takes its name from the three State Parks located on mountaintops: Petit Jean, Mount Nebo and Mount Magazine. Each shares some of the same amenities, but each has its own unique features so you will want to visit them all. The fourth State Park is Lake Dardanelle State Park, which with The Ozark National Forest, Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River form the linchpins of recreational opportunities in the River Valley. Please visit the individual web sites at www.ArkansasStateParks.com for additional information. Enjoy your visit to Russellville Arkansas and the River Valley.  Be sure and come by River Valley Arts Center.  There is always an excellent art display on exhibit.

Area Cultural Information and Sites

The River Valley area is rich in Cultural and Historic sites. On a ridge near the Arkansas River Samuel Norris founded the community of Norristown in 1829. This was the last stop for the Butterfield Overland Mail before crossing the river. 

Around 1858, Edward Washburn painted the widely-known painting of the country fiddler and the visitor on the white horse that became the state's trademark, "The Arkansas Traveler". The original painting hangs in the Arkansas History Commission offices in Little Rock.

Our area was near the center of the Cherokee settlement in Arkansas and has several markers designating places of historical significance. In 1820 Reverend Cephas Washburn set up Dwight Mission just west of present day Russellville. At one time there were seven assistant teachers at the mission and about a hundred Cherokee children enrolled. A post office was established here in 1823.

The most distinguished of the Indians who gathered at the mission was Sequoya. Intrigued by the white man's ability to communicate with written characters, he developed a simple Cherokee alphabet. Subsequently, literacy spread quickly throughout the Cherokee Nation. Sequoya is said to have completed work on the alphabet at the mission and at nearby Galla Rock. A large kettle reportedly used durning Sequoyah's era to extract salt is located on the town square in Dover.

In 1834 the first house was built in present day Russellville. The traditional double log dog-trot house belonged to British born and educated Dr. T.J. Russell, the city's namesake.

Russellville was the longtime residence of Jeff Davis (1863-1912), United States senator and three times governor, noted for his colorful down-home rhetoric.

Historical Sites

The Museum of Pre-History and History is located on the campus of Arkansas Tech University. Early documents and archeological artifacts depicting life in Arkansas from 12,000 years ago to the present are on display. In the museum store you can purchase historic-related merchandise that includes handcrafted items by Native American artisans.

 Potts Inn Museum. This historic museum, maintained by the Pope County Historical Foundation, is located in the nearby town of Pottsville. It is one of the best-preserved stagecoach stations on the Butterfield Overland mail route. The rooms are furnished with much of the original furniture. There is a medical office and hat museum on the premises. Also, a display of dolls depicting all the "first ladies" of presidents of the United States

The Arkansas River Visitor Center located on Old Post Road at the lock and dam in Russellville has a static display depicting life on the Arkansas River as it was when inhabited by Native Americans to the present time.

Source: Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce; The WPA Guide to 1930s Arkansas; Arkansas Roadsidesby Bill Earngey

Tours

Walking | Driving | Private

• Pope County Courthouse - The courthouse features extensive interior marble and was built in 1932. The county records were hidden during the Civil War thus escaping destruction and are continuos from 1829.
• Bona Dea Trails and Sanctuary - Managed by the Corps of Engineers, this sanctuary consists of 186 acres of wetlands and wooded lowlands that provide the perfect habitat for 200 species of birds. Five and a half miles of trails wind through the sanctuary.
• Moccasin Gap Trail is 28 miles in length with four major loops as well as connecting inner loops. Offering secluded and rustic riding, trails run through hardwood and pine forests, along ridge tops and along Moccasin Creek, which has several waterfalls. The trailhead is located at Moccasin Gap Camp, which has vault toilets and 17 primitive campsites with no water or electricity. The cost is $3 for a day use or $3 per campsite (including day use). Maps of the trail are available at the campground.