Preserving the Past. Connecting Conway County.

Conway County History Museum

The Conway County History Museum, located in Morrilton, Arkansas, is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the rich history of Conway County and its communities for present and future generations. Whether you are a lifelong resident, a curious newcomer, a researcher, or a family looking for a meaningful outing, this museum is your home for local heritage.

We invite you to explore our exhibits, discover this month's featured highlight item, and become part of our preservation mission through membership. There is always something new to uncover here, and every visit connects you a little more deeply to the place we all call home.

A Welcome from Our President

Hello! I'm Bill Holt, President of the Conway County Historical Preservation Association, which operates the Conway County History Museum. I am so glad you have visited our website!

If you live in Conway County, AR, or if you are visiting the area, I invite you to explore the museum and experience our county's history in person. The museum offers a great family-friendly, educational, and fun experience for visitors of all ages.

If you have questions about the museum or the website, please don't hesitate to contact us. Thank you again for visiting our site, and we hope to see you soon!

Bill Holt
CCHPA President

About Conway County, Arkansas

Conway County was established in 1825 and celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2025. Its early history began along the Arkansas River, where Lewisburg served as a vital steamboat port and the county seat from 1831 to 1850 and again from 1873 to 1883.  As railroads expanded across the region, commerce and settlement shifted north. The arrival of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad in 1871 transformed the area, leading to the rise of Morrilton—incorporated in 1879 and named the county seat in 1883. From river towns to rail lines, Conway County’s story is one of movement, growth, and resilience.

Featured Exhibit OF THE MONTH

E.E. Mitchell Company Cash Register

E. E. Mitchel Furniture & Hardware Store was established in 1893 and was an important part of the early growth of Morrilton. This mechanical cash register, put in use at the store about 1925, represents the ingenuity of early retail business operations. The register allowed clerks to enter sales amounts and categorize purchases by department. When the hand crank was turned, an intricate system of gears, levers, and linkages recorded the transaction and automatically opened the corresponding drawer in the cabinet below. This helped merchants organize sales records and manage different departments long before electronic registers and computers existed.

More than a century later, this remarkable machine still works exactly as it was designed!