US Marshals Museum

Winter Family Camps
2024-12-20 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
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

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.

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!

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.
Click here to purchase tickets!

"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.
Purchase tickets here!

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.

Cherokee Language Workshop
2024-08-10 10:00 - 11:30
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.
Purchase tickets here!

Curator Talk: Creation of the U.S. Marshals Service
2024-07-30 12:00 - 13:00
The subject of our museum is one of the oldest creations of our country’s government. Influenced by earlier colonial offices and created to fix problems seen following the American Revolution, the Office of United States Marshal was, and continues to be, one of the most powerful positions designed by Congress. Our curator will talk about the transition of our country from the Articles of Confederation to the United States Constitution and the role of the Marshals in the early nation.
Museum admission is required. Free for members.

Cart Program - Rubber Band Guns
2024-07-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-07-05 10:00 - 12:00
Join us for a cart program and experience the thrill of the Old West with a traditional game of rubber band guns! Museum admission required.

Cart Program - Life in A Box
2024-07-19 10:00 - 12:00
Use your historical thinking skills! Join us for a cart program activity that test your skills to see if you know different historical figures from Marshal History based on clues. Museum admission required.

Cart Program - Fort Kids Museum
2024-07-13 10:00 - 12:00
Join the Fort Kids Museum for a cart program in our atrium. Guest will put their fingerprinting skills to the test by examining them to see if they can determine what kind of pattern they have. Guest will also have the opportunity to learn about Fort Kids and their mission. This activity is free with purchase of general admission.

July Summer Camp Sign Up! (3RD-5TH)
2024-07-08 13:00 - 2024-07-12 15:30
Join us on a week-long adventure at the Marshals Museum’s summer mini day camps! From mastering frontier skills and crafting stories to delving into crime scene investigations, Native American arts, and the art of the escape, each day promises exciting hands-on activities and immersive learning experiences for campers of all interests. You can sign up for all week (5 camps) for a discounted rated or each individual camp for $30 per camp.
**Campers much be recently graduated 3RD-5TH graders
SIGN UP FOR ALL 5 CAMPS: $125
July 8-12 Camp Package (3RD-5TH)

Individual Camps: $30
The Great Escape:
Engage in the ultimate challenge of teamwork and problem-solving as you tackle an escape room adventure, followed by an immersive exploration into the world of escape artists and the Marshal’s relentless pursuit of Justice.
The Great Escape - July 8

Frontier Marshals:
Experience the thrill of the Old West with traditional games, frontier crafts, and immersive learning of frontier-era skills.
Frontier Marshals - July 9

Crime Scene Investigation:
Dive into the world of forensic science and detective work at Crime Scene Investigation camp, where campers embark on storybook investigations and STEM adventures.
Crime Scene Investigation - July 10

Native American Arts Camp:
Explore the rich artistic traditions of the Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma while delving into the “We are Freedmen” Cherokee Exhibit.
Native American Arts Camp - July 11

The Magic of Storytelling:
Unleash your creativity at The Magic of Storytelling camp, where imagination meets innovation as campers craft their own tales using mixed media and stop motion animation techniques.
The Magic of Storytelling - July 12

July Summer Camp Sign Up! (K-2ND)
2024-07-08 09:00 - 2024-07-12 11:30
Join us on a week-long adventure at the Marshals Museum’s summer mini day camps! From mastering frontier skills and crafting stories to delving into crime scene investigations, Native American arts, and the art of the escape, each day promises exciting hands-on activities and immersive learning experiences for campers of all interests. You can sign up for all week (5 camps) for a discounted rated or each individual camp for $30 per camp.
**Campers must be recently graduated K-2ND graders
SIGN UP FOR ALL 5 CAMPS: $125
July 8-12 Camp Package (K-2ND)

Individual Camps: $30
The Great Escape:
Engage in the ultimate challenge of teamwork and problem-solving as you tackle an escape room adventure, followed by an immersive exploration into the world of escape artists and the Marshal’s relentless pursuit of Justice.
The Great Escape - July 8

Frontier Marshals:
Experience the thrill of the Old West with traditional games, frontier crafts, and immersive learning of frontier-era skills.
Frontier Marshals - July 9

Crime Scene Investigation:
Dive into the world of forensic science and detective work at Crime Scene Investigation camp, where campers embark on storybook investigations and STEM adventures.
Crime Scene Investigation - July 10

Native American Arts Camp:
Explore the rich artistic traditions of the Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma while delving into the “We are Freedmen” Cherokee Exhibit.
Native American Arts Camp - July 11

The Magic of Storytelling:
Unleash your creativity at The Magic of Storytelling camp, where imagination meets innovation as campers craft their own tales using mixed media and stop motion animation techniques.
The Magic of Storytelling - July 12

4th of July Play Day and Craft Activities
2024-07-04 09:00 - 17:00
Our 1789 room will be set up with 4th of July themed crafts and family-friendly activities for all ages. Museum admission required.

Cart Program: (Theme: Fingerprinting)
2024-06-28 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-06-26 13:00 - 15:00
Join us for a cart program that involves fun activities to educate visitors on the science of identifying fingerprints.
Museum admission required.

Curator Talk: Collection Care of Firearms
2024-06-27 12:00 - 13:00
As part of National Safety Month, join as our Curator, Dave Kennedy, discusses how to properly care for your firearm collection.
Museum admission required.

Behind the Badge: Discovering Economics
2024-06-25 09:00 - 16:00
Teachers, step into the boots of a deputy marshal and join us for an engaging workshop for K-12 educators searching for ways to integrate economic concepts into their curriculum using the captivating backdrop of the United States Marshals Museum in Ft. Smith, AR. This interactive session will blend the rich history of the U.S. Marshals Service with fundamental economic principles, offering educators innovative ways to spark students’ interest and understanding. Veronica Luna-Geels, USMM Outreach Manager, will give us a guided tour and will spotlight the Educator Resource Series and other resources created by the USMM.
This workshop is being presented by Economics Arkansas and is for teachers only.
Learn more by visiting, https://trainings.economicsarkansas.org/trainings/43
Register Here!

Cart Program: (Theme: Calling 911)
2024-06-21 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-06-19 13:00 - 15:00
In honor of National Safety Month, our programs team will have a cart set up with an activity learning how to and the importance of calling 911 in an emergency.
Museum admission required.
