Yesterday, our homeschool journey took us on a time-traveling adventure to the Historic Arkansas Museum in downtown Little Rock for their 3rd annual Homeschool Fair, and what a memorable experience it was! The theme, Fall Market Days, was a perfect seasonal tie-in that echoed the rhythms of life in 19th-century Arkansas, when early Arkansans would have been deep into harvest and trade.

The event beautifully combined hands-on learning, interactive demonstrations, and meaningful historical immersion. From a homeschooling and mental health perspective, it was the kind of day that grounds academic concepts in real-world experience, sparks wonder, and nurtures a sense of connection — to the past, to place, and to each other.

🍽 Favorite Moments from the Fair

Both of my children were unanimous in their favorite: the food tasting in the Hinderliter Kitchen. There, they sampled preserved foods such as tinned salmon, oysters, and mackerel, alongside crackers and capers — a sensory-rich lesson in food preservation methods of the era. This activity opened up wonderful conversation about nutrition, availability, and resourcefulness in early Arkansas life.

My daughter was also captivated by her time in the Hinderliter Grog Shop, where she was invited to barter and “shop” for goods just like children of the 1840s would have done. She came away from the experience with a deeper understanding of the value of goods and the role of trade in frontier economies.

My son’s highlight was the spinning and textile demonstration, where he learned to spin wool into yarn. But what really stood out for him was discovering that all young children — boys and girls — wore gowns until fully potty-trained! He was fascinated by the detail that you could tell the difference between boys and girls not by their clothing, but by their hair: a center part for girls, and a side part for boys. It’s these nuanced insights that bring history alive in a child’s mind.

Now, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a special mention to the snake oil salesman, whose theatrical flair was a hit with both the kids and adults. With bottles lined up like potions on his rustic table, he delivered a pitch with such charm and bravado that I half-expected someone to actually offer him a coin for one of his miracle cures. The children were wide-eyed as he explained how his “elixirs” could cure everything from coughs to crankiness. One parent joked they might need a bottle or two themselves — and honestly, after a full homeschool day, I could relate!

🖨 A Homeschool Mama’s Favorite

For me, the hands-down favorite was our visit to the Woodruff Print Shop, a reconstructed 1820s Arkansas Gazette printing room. Watching the children carefully set type, letter by letter, upside down and backward, was incredible. They operated a working press and learned the origins of the terms “uppercase” and “lowercase” … a beautiful marriage of etymology, history, and tactile learning. It was a striking reminder of the painstaking labor behind communication in the pre-digital world.

🏫 Educational Value & Curriculum Fit

On a scale from 1 to 10, I would easily rate this field trip a solid 9.5. It offered rich alignment with our homeschool studies in Arkansas History and early American life. For anyone teaching Arkansas History, U.S. frontier life, or even early economics and sociology, this event is a gem.

The activities supported standards around:

• Historical understanding of daily life in antebellum America
• Economics of barter and trade
• Early technology and media (the print shop!)
• Cultural shifts in clothing, food, and domestic roles

Not only was the content educational, but the structure of the day was well-paced. I appreciated that there was just enough time at each station for deep engagement without feeling rushed.

🗓 What’s Next at the Museum?

Mark your calendars! The next Homeschool Fair is scheduled for Friday, February 20th, 2026. If it’s anything like this fall’s event, it’ll be another treasure trove of hands-on learning and historical fun.

For any homeschooling family in Arkansas , or visiting the state, the Historic Arkansas Museum is a must-see.

They also offer an incredible resource for home educators: loan boxes, which allow you to bring hands-on history into your home classroom. You can find more about them here: Historic Arkansas Museum Education Resources

💌 Feedback for the Museum & Final Thoughts

To the wonderful team at the Historic Arkansas Museum: Thank you. Thank you for creating a space where children can engage with history in meaningful, tangible ways. You brought history to life with authenticity, warmth, and care.

This field trip reminded me why I homeschool: to create meaningful learning experiences that connect the heart, hands, and mind. It was a day of discovery, wonder, and reflection — all while deepening our understanding of our state’s rich history.

If you’re looking for a way to make Arkansas history come alive in your homeschool, look no further than the Historic Arkansas Museum. And don’t forget to bring your curiosity… and maybe a few crackers to chase the tinned oysters!

Signing off with a paper hat, a tin of mackerel, and just a drop of snake oil.
– Patricia @ Mind & Scholar