Member's Preview - Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

The walk into the museum

I became An Original by purchasing my membership In Crystal Bridges before the museum opened.  That membership let me attend a Member's Preview today (November 9, 2011) two days before the official opening on 11/11/11.  I did not take many photos.  I did not want to divide my attention, I wanted to focus on the museum and the art.  I did take a few that highlight the facility to share.  This is truly a magnificent museum and well worth the trip to Northwest Arkansas.  In fact plan to take more than one day.  I certainly plan to returning several times in the next few months.

Alice Walton, the museum founder in the lobby looking very proud and with very good reason.

View from one wing looking  across the water.

One part of The Colonial Exhibit

The View down the bridge where the restaurant is located.

More Things to See In Bentonville, AR

Northwest Arkansas




When you visit Bentonville here are some other places to visit in addition to The Museum of Native American Artifacts.


Bentonville is also the home of Wal-Mart. Located on the square in Bentonville on the site of Sam Walton’s 5 & 10 Store is a free museum. It has displays outlining the history of Wal-Mart in photos and print. Sam Walton’s office is recreated in detail; his pick-up truck is on display and the office he used in the 5 & 10 Store is also recreated The Station Café next door is a good place to get a sandwich and have a piece of pie.


Around the corner on Central you will find a small preview of Crystal Bridges, an art museum being funded by Alice Walton. The actual museum is under construction. The displays change frequently so you never know what you will see when you visit. This is also a free display. You can find more information at http://www.crystalbridges.org/.


Close by Compton Gardens located on 6.5 acres is another free offering. Native Ozark woodland plants are scattered throughout and can be seen from walkways that cross the garden. You can find more information at http://www.comptongardens.org/.


If you like historic houses visit the Peel Mansion and Heritage Gardens on Walton Boulevard. (You can’t get away from the Walton’s in Bentonville.) Peel House is a turn of the century house with gardens that reflect the time period. There is a charge for touring the house. You can find more information at http://www.peelmansion.org/.

If you are in town on the first Friday from March through November come down to the square for fun, music, food and art anytime between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. On Saturday morning from April 25th through October 31st you can find the Farmer’s Market on Central just one block off the square. On weekends from May until September there is Music on the Square starting at 6:00 p.m. For more information go to http://www.downtownbentonville.org/Events/


Enjoy your visit to Bentonville. There is something to do if you are visiting for one day or spreading your visit over several days.