Progress in a Small Frontier Town: The Story of the 1907 Atikinson-Williams Warehouse Building June 30, 2009

The Atkinson-Williams Warehouse Building, now the home of the Fort Smith Museum of History, has an interesting history in itself. Opening July 1, 2009, the museum’s latest exhibit explores the businesses to occupy the building before it was purchased by the museum. The building was originally built for the Atkinson-Williams Hardware Company in 1907. In 1930, the decision was made by the board of directors and stockholders to rename the business Williams Hardware Company. The building was expanded in 1947 and Williams Automotive Company was added. Speer Hardware Company purchased the building in 1966 and occupied it until 1979 when the museum moved from its location in the old commissary building.
The exhibit comes to life with photographs from the different eras and with artifacts on loan and from the museum’s collection. Unique architectural features of the building are addressed to answer questions frequently asked by visitors. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the one hundred two year old building has a long and fascinating history.
The Fort Smith Museum of History is located at 320 Rogers Avenue. 479-783-7841.