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Fort Smith National Historic Sitehistoric sketch of Parker, jury men and others
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Fort Smith National Historic Site
Collections

The material culture at Fort Smith spans the 19th century.  It gives tantalizing glimpses into the daily life of a frontier fort and later the function of the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas at the edge of Indian Territory.  With approximately 225,000 objects, the collection contains furnishings, archival documents, historical objects and archeologically retrieved materials. Later administrative materials and data related to the creation of the Park were added to the collection.

 

 

 

 
montage of early 20th century postcards of Fort Smith
Postcards from Fort Smith National Historic Site Collection

Early 20th century postcards of Fort Smith provide visual references to historic buildings and landscapes.  Despite inaccuracies, they can give an overall impression of early Fort Smith.

To see selected postcard views, click here. 

 
gun used by outlaw Bill Cook
Collection FOSM
Outlaw Bill Cook's Revolver

The park has many fascinating artifacts and documents that are not currently on display. Each month one of these items will be spotlighted as the "Artifact of the Month." Previously featured artifacts can also be accessed through this site.

Click here to view the current "Artifact of the Month."

Park staff and volunteers demonstrating using lindstock and slowmatch to ignite the cannon's primer  

Did You Know?
The soldiers who came to Fort Smith in 1817 were still using some 18th century technology and drill. The cannon was discharged using a lindstock and slowmatch to ignite the primer, which originally was loose powder or a turkey quill filled with powder.

Last Updated: November 28, 2006 at 16:33 EST