US Marshals Museum

Cherokee Language Workshop
2024-08-10 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago)
Osiyo. Wado. Tsalagi. Candessa Tehee, Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor and Professor at Northeastern State University will be joining us for a Cherokee Language Workshop. Learn about the Cherokee Language- it’s history, how it is spoken, and the efforts to bring it back from the brink of extinction.
Cost: Included with Museum Admission. Free for members.
Pre-registration encouraged to guarantee your spot! Tickets can be purchased at the door if seats remain.

Curator Talk: Genealogy and U.S. Marshals Research
2024-08-31 12:00 - 13:00
Genealogy is an important topic for history museums. It is also one of reasons the United States Marshals Service selected Fort Smith as the location for the Marshals Museum. There are a LOT of descendants of both Marshals and criminals in our region!
Many visitors to the Marshals Museum want to know more about their ancestors. Although we are not able to respond to all inquiries, our Curator does what he can to help our visitors learn about their family histories.
In this Curator Talk, our Curator will talk about his process and some of the resources he uses to research deputies.

Where: U.S. Marshals Museum
When: August 31 from 12:00-1:00pm
Cost: Included with Museum Admission.

"Oklahoma Freedmen of the Five Tribes," Program by Angela Walton-Raji
2024-09-07 18:00 - 19:30
Author and genealogist Angela Walton-Raji has written extensively on the Black Indian and Freedmen experiences among the Native tribes of Indian Territory and in Arkansas. In this presentation, she will explore some of the stories of Cherokee Freedmen told in her books, such as “Oklahoma Freedmen of the Five Tribes” (2023) and “Freedmen of the Frontier, Vols. 1-2” (2019-20). Based on Walton-Raji’s research, this presentation recounts the history of men and women enslaved by Cherokee Nation citizens, the Freedmen’s fight to be recognized as tribal citizens, and their acceptance by the tribe in 2017.

Cost: $10/adult, $5/child, Members free.

USMS Birthday Celebration Cocktail Party
2024-09-13 17:30 - 20:30
Please join us at the U.S. Marshals Museum for our inaugural celebration of the U.S. Marshals Service Birthday! While you support the Marshals Museum, you can enjoy cocktails, handheld cuisine, and the jazz sounds of Pat Becker and the Rex Bell Trio.
Where: U.S. Marshals Museum, 789 Riverfront Drive, Fort Smith, AR 72901
When: Friday, September 13 from 5:30-8:30pm
Cost: Tickets for this unique event are $50.
Dress code: Cocktail Attire
Special rate rooms available until September 1 at Wyndham, Fort Smith City Center.

Curator Talk: Hispanic Marshals
2024-09-21 12:00 - 13:00
The United States has a long association with Hispanic culture. Beginning with the appointment of United States Marshal Pablo de la Guerra y Noriega in 1850, the office of United States Marshal has reflected this in many ways. Often associated with the southwestern United States, Hispanic deputies and Marshals have served across our nation as well as overseas. Several lost their lives in the line of duty.
Our curator will talk about this history and discuss many of the individual men and women who have performed this duty for our country.
Museum admission required. Free for members.

National History Day Teacher Workshop
2024-10-02 09:00 - 15:00
Calling all 6th-12th grade teachers! Join our education staff and AR History Day state coordinator Angela Adams for our annual National History Day workshop on October 2. Learn more about NHD- what it is, how it is beneficial for your students, and how to implement the program in your classrooms! This workshop is FREE for teachers, and up to 5 PD hours are available!
To register, visit 38697.blackbaudhosting.com/38697/National-History-Day

Fort Smith Fall Fest + Oktoberfest
2024-10-05 09:00 - 17:00
Welcome Fall with a “Seven Dollar Saturday” at the U.S. Marshals Museum, featuring admission for only $7 (all state & local taxes are included) during the Fall Festival!
Experience what it’s like to be a frontier marshal by participating in roping activities and ponies from Packard Point Ranch from 10 am to 11 am.
We will also have a Curator Cart showcasing artifacts from our collections from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, “Bass Reeves is Innocent” Curator Talk at 1:00 pm, and Tommy Wildcat, Cherokee Flute Player at 2:00 pm.

October 11 Special Hours
2024-10-11 12:00 - 17:00
The U.S. Marshals Museum will be closed to the public on Friday, October 11 from 9:00am-12:00pm. Our hours for this day will be 12:00pm-5:00pm.

Fall STEM Camp - 1st-5th grade!
2024-10-19 13:00 - 15:30
🍁 Looking for a fun and enriching way to keep your school-aged kids engaged this Fall? Sign them up for U.S. Marshals Museum Fall STEM Camp!
Our Fall Camp is the perfect blend of STEM, arts, and fun, designed to spark creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on learning! 🔬📚
👻Your kids will immerse themselves in activities like creating pumpkin candy catapults, making pumpkin slime, investigating leaf colors, and more. 🎃
Register now to give your child an afternoon full of fun!
38697.blackbaudhosting.com/38697/Fall-Camp-2024

Museum closed to the public
2024-10-29 09:00 - 17:00
Due a private event, the U.S. Marshals Museum will be closed to the public on Tuesday, October 29.

Museum Closing at 4PM
2024-11-07 16:00 - 17:00
The U.S. Marshals Museum will be closing early November 7 at 4PM for a private event.

Curator Talk: Odd Cases of the U.S. Marshals
2024-11-23 12:00 - 13:00
Although best known as fugitive hunters and federal court staff, the United States Marshals have always been the enforcement arm of the federal judiciary. Both civil and criminal cases have led to odd and occasionally humorous side-effects of the judicial process at the federal level.
Our curator will talk about some of these strange cases including stolen valor during World War II, a wayward whale carcass, and odd businesses operated by the Marshals – from casinos to a horse farm.
Museum admission required.
Feel free to enjoy your lunch or a coffee from Fort Smith Coffee Co during this presentation.

Museum Closed
2024-11-28
In celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday, the U.S. Marshals Museum will be closed Thursday, November 28 to allow our staff time to be with their families and friends.

Evening In The Past - Theodore Roosevelt
2024-12-09 18:30 - 20:30
Join us in welcoming President Theodore Roosevelt back to Fort Smith! “Teddy” Roosevelt, as he was affectionately called, was the 26th president of the United States, serving from 1901-1909. President Roosevelt will captivate guests with stories from his time in office, from his formative foreign policy declaration to “speak softly and carry a big stick” to his active building of our National Park system.
Join us for the 10th annual Evening in the Past, as we hear from Mr. Roosevelt himself, dine on a time-period inspired menu, and enjoy an era appropriate cocktail.

Thank you to our AEITP Event Sponsor!

Curator Talk: U.S. Marshals and the Invasion of Canada
2024-12-14 12:00 - 13:00
The job of the United States Marshals, if nothing else, is to enforce the laws of the United States. One of the nation’s oldest laws – still largely in effect – is the Neutrality Act of 1794. One element of the Neutrality Act prevented private citizens from breaking the peace with other nations. This law prevented wars waged by American citizens on nations across the world.
‘Filibustering,’ the act of waging wars as a private citizen, was common across the Caribbean and in Central and South America from the 1830s to the 20th century. While the Fenian Invasion of Canada is relatively well known, an early test of American relations with England was the “Patriot War” of 1837-1838. Still smarting from a Revolution and the War of 1812, American Marshals enforced their law while preserving the peace.
December 14, 2024. 12:00pm-1:00pm.
Talks are $5 or included with museum admission. Free for members.

Winter Family Camps
2024-12-20 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for “The Case of the Snowy Woes” Winter Family Camps on Friday 12/20 from 6:00-8:00p!
$50/family of 4, $5 for each additional person over 4.
The Abominable Snowman has been causing trouble again, but has he broken the law? The marshals need your help investigating! Each family will conduct their investigation, and a trial by jury (YOU) will determine if the yeti is guilty or innocent!
12/20- 38697.blackbaudhosting.com/38697/The-Case-of-the-Snowy-Woes-Family-Camp

Winter Family Camps
2024-12-21 13:00 - 15:00
Join us for “The Case of the Snowy Woes” Winter Family Camps on Saturday 12/21 from 1:00-3:00p!
$50/family of 4, $5 for each additional person over 4.
The Abominable Snowman has been causing trouble again, but has he broken the law? The marshals need your help investigating! Each family will conduct their investigation, and a trial by jury (YOU) will determine if the yeti is guilty or innocent!
12/21 – 38697.blackbaudhosting.com/38697/The-Case-of-the-Snowy-Woes-Family-Camp-21Dec2024

Museum Closed
2024-12-24
The Museum will be closed on December 24, 2024.

Museum Closed
2024-12-25
The Museum will be closed on December 25, 2024.

Noon Year's Eve Party - Family Style!
2024-12-31 10:30 - 12:30
We’re celebrating New Year’s Eve FAMILY style! Join us for a Noon Year’s Eve celebration like no other!
Kids- bring your grownups and come dressed in your comfiest PJs to enjoy brunch at our Decorate your Own Bar, create your party favors, and dance it up under the disco ball. After the fun, we will celebrate with a countdown and big balloon drop at noon!

$20 per kid
$10 per accompanying adult
$8 Museums for All (Snap, EBT, WIC card must be shown)

Museum Closed
2025-01-01
The Museum will be closed on January 1, 2025.

Candlelight Concert
2025-01-17
We are excited to share that the Candlelight Concerts will be hosting a series at the U.S. Marshals Museum beginning January 17, 2025. Please note that the U.S. Marshals Museum is the location for this event but all ticket purchases and information can be found on the official Candle Light Experience website. To learn more about this magical, multi-sensory musical experience, please visit their website below.
Concert Times:
⭐ 6:30pm
⭐ 8:30pm

True Crime Tonight
2025-01-31 18:00 - 20:00
The U.S. Marshals Museum is excited to announce our new series, True Crime Tonight, featuring the writers, researchers, podcasters, filmmakers, and law enforcement officers who investigate some of the most challenging cases. Join the hunt as they delve into the mysteries behind the headlines!
Our first featured guest is Detective Jason White, a homicide detective from the City of Tulsa Police Department featured prominently on the popular A&E television show The First 48

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT.

Museum closed to the public
2025-02-07 09:00 - 12:00
The U.S. Marshals Museum will be closed to the public on Friday, February 7 from 9:00am-12:00pm. Our hours for this day will be 12:00pm-5:00pm. Please call 479-242-1789 for any questions.

Candlelight Concert
2025-02-14
We are excited to share that the Candlelight Concerts will be hosting a series at the U.S. Marshals Museum. Please note that the U.S. Marshals Museum is the location for this event but all ticket purchases and information can be found on the official Candle Light Experience website. To learn more about this magical, multi-sensory musical experience, please visit their website below.
Concert Times:
⭐ 6:30pm
⭐ 8:30pm

True Crime Tonight
2025-02-21 18:00 - 20:00
The U.S. Marshals Museum is excited to announce our new series, True Crime Tonight, featuring the writers, researchers, podcasters, filmmakers, and law enforcement officers who investigate some of the most challenging cases. Join the hunt as they delve into the mysteries behind the headlines!
Two-time Emmy Award winning executive producer and creator/host of the Chasing Evil podcast, Christopher Godsick, will share stories from his compelling true crime podcast. Made in co-operation with the Marshals Service, Chris has been given unprecedented access to Deputy U.S. Marshals and their cases. His experiences being out on the streets with the deputies are dramatic, and at times, unexpected and amusing.
Due to the sometimes-graphic nature of the content, True Crime Tonight presentations are strictly for those 18+.
$10+ tax, preregistration encouraged.
Free for members – including a meet-and-greet.

NCMEC Program: Internet Safety for Parents, Guardians, and Communities
2025-02-25 18:00 - 19:00
The U.S. Marshals Museum has teamed up with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) as a Community Education Partner to enhance education and provide vital resources to our local communities. These programs help adults and children in grades K-12 learn how to stay safe online and offer families valuable resources like lessons, tips, and activities focused on personal safety. Our first program will be held Tuesday, Feb 25.
Internet Safety for Parents, Guardians, and Communities
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
6-7p
FREE, Registration Encouraged.

Fort Smith NEA Big Read Kick-Off & Exhibit Opening
2025-03-07 18:00 - 19:30
Kick-Off the NEA Big Read programming with a special arts presentation from UAFS Hmong and Vietnamese Student Association and the grand opening of the Operation New Life/Arrival exhibit.
Learn more about Big Read Events and pick up your FREE copy of The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoirs *While supplies last
Registration is required for this free event.

Click Here to Register

"New Life: Vietnam, America, and the Marshals" Exhibit Open to the Public
2025-03-08 09:00 - 17:00

Big Read: Sensory Day
2025-03-16 09:00 - 11:00
Experience the Marshal Museum and the Operation New Life/Arrival Exhibit in a welcoming, sensory-friendly setting. Visitors with Sensory Processing Disorder or other developmental disabilities are invited to explore at their own pace in a comfortable and supportive environment.
Some Grant Funding Available
