The Arkansas State Archives houses approximately 13,000 cubic feet of state records and manuscript collections pertaining to the history of Arkansas and its people. These materials have been described and inventoried for ease of access. These inventories, called finding aids, are keyword searchable. Click the collection's title to view the finding aid's information page. Click on the pdf icon to go straight to the finding aid.
Separated Materials: Some archival collections contain materials that have been stored separately from the bulk of the collection due to those items' preservation needs. Generally, this affects collections that include artifacts that have been moved to the archives' museum collection, and the existence of artifacts in a collection has been noted in that collection's finding aid. Due to the nature of artifact and other separated materials, we require researchers to fill out an Artifact Access Form and send it in to state.archives@arkansas.gov, to schedule an appointment to view artifacts from the museum collection.
Article
Arkansas business and calling card collection, undated
This collection contains twenty-two cards from businesses or individuals in the state of Arkansas. None of the cards are dated. Some of them have notes written on the backs.
Arkansas Centennial diary, 1876
This collection contains one pamphlet which has six blank pages for someone to record their observations and seven pages of testimonials about Arkansas land and natural resources. This centennial dairy endorses the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railway of Arkansas, who had an exhibit at the Arkansas building with specimens of timber, coal, iron, and other minerals. This promotional pamphlet was issued by W.D. Slack, Land Commissioner of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railway.
Arkansas Civil Appointment records, 1819-1958
This collection contains 36 ledger books that record the date of commission, names, and office held by county officials.
Arkansas Civil Defense Agency records, 1950-1972
This collection consists of civil defense plans and the "Communique" newsletter, 1958-1972.
Arkansas Civil War Centennial Commission records, 1958-1965
This collection contains correspondence, programs, reports, financial documents, newsclippings, publications, and other documents pertaining to the Civil War Centennial Commission.
Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission records, 2011-2015
This collection contains 12 cubic feet of grant applications, grant procedures, logo requests, sanctioning rules, historical markers, governor appointments, correspondence, and a final report regarding the work of the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission.
Arkansas Claims Commission ledger, 1872
This collection contains one Arkansas State Claims Commission ledger with claims from 1872.
Arkansas College Colony circular, 1875
This collection contains a circular from Arkansas College Colony, Judsonia, Arkansas that also has a letter written on the back from P.L. Barker to Dr. Amos Walker dated May 8, 1875.
Arkansas College Colony envelope, 1874
This collection contains an envelope fragment from the Secretary, at Judson University to Warren N. Briggs; Bears advertisement for "Arkansas College Colony, Judsonia, White County, Arkansas."
Arkansas College Endowment plan, 1886 November
This collection contains one broadside, a plea by A.R. Kennedy to "Officers and Members of the Presbyterian Church in Arkansas" to increase the endowment of Arkansas College, Batesville.
Arkansas College/Lyon College (Batesville, Ark.) collection, 1890-1981
This collection contains bulletins, catalogs, and other publications related to Arkansas College, now known as Lyon College, in Batesville, Arkansas, from 1890 to 1981.
Arkansas College musical concert announcement, 1899 April 14
This collection contains one broadside, an announcement of the Arkansas College Musical Concert by the College Quintette.
Arkansas College Philomathean Society program, 1886 February 22
This collection contains one broadside, a program for the "Intermediate Celebration" of the Arkansas College Philomathean Society.
Arkansas College Philomatheean Society announcement, 1886 February 22
This collection contains one broadside, an announcement of the "Intermediate Celebration" of the Arkansas College Philomathean Society.
Arkansas College Quintette concert announcement, 1899 April 14
This collection contains one broadside, an announcement of a musical concert to be given by the Arkansas College Quintette in Alumni Hall.
Arkansas Colony land warrants, 1870
This collection contains Amos Walker's land warrant for 160 acres and town lots in Arkansas Colony, Prairie County, AR dated July 26, 1870 and N. Briggs's land warrant for town lots in Arkansas Colony, Prairie County, AR dated August 15, 1870.
Arkansas Colony of Chicago constitution, 1870
This collection contains one constitution to establish the Arkansas Colony and College of Chicago in Judsonia, Arkansas, dated 1870.
Arkansas Commemorative Commission oral history interviews, 1977-1978
This collection consists of photocopies of transcripts of interviews concerning the first State Capitol (Old State House) at Little Rock, Arkansas. An index to the interviews is available in the collection.
Arkansas Commission for the Feeble-minded report, 1918
This collection contains a report.
Arkansas companies tax list, 1935
This list includes company names, locations, taxes paid, and date paid for the year 1935.
Arkansas Confederate Generals, Stone Mountain broadside, undated
This collection contains one broadside, "Arkansas Confederate Generals, Civil War Heroes Whose Figures will be Carved on Stone Mountain," in Georgia. It includes Generals Churchill, Cleburne, Fagan, Govan, and Hindman.
Arkansas Confederate Home records, 1907-1961
This collection consists of records of male and female residents of the Arkansas Confederate Home, as well as the Home's registry. Files contain applications, correspondence with relatives, discharges, obituaries, notifications of next of kin, burial instructions, and death certificates. The records are listed in alphabetical order by the patient's last name. The register contains names of patients, dates admitted, dates discharged, dates of death, and related information.
Arkansas Confederate muster rolls, rosters, and lists, 1861-1937
This collection contains photostats of muster rolls, rosters, and lists of the Confederate units of Arkansas.
Arkansas Confederate pension letter, 1964
This collection contains a letter.
Arkansas Confederate prisoners of war who died at Rock Island (Ill.) list, 1953
This collection contains a letter and two lists.
Arkansas Confederate soldiers buried at Johnson's Island (Ohio) list, undated
This collection contains a list of Arkansas Confederate soldiers buried at Johnson's Island, off Sandusky, Ohio in Lake Erie.
Arkansas Confederate soldiers buried at Union Point (Ga.) list, 1955
This collection contains a list of Arkansas Confederate soldiers buried at Union Point, Georgia.
Arkansas Confederate States Depository papers, 1863-1865
This collection contains eight receipts, a letter, and a list of interest paid on treasury notes from 1863-1865.
Arkansas Confederate Veterans Buried in Georgia list, undated
The list in this collection includes names, death dates, company and regiment numbers, names of cemeteries and town located, and row and grave numbers.
Arkansas Confederate veteran state-office holders, 1874-1945
This collection contains a letter and a list of Arkansas Confederate state-office holders.
Arkansas Congressional speeches, 1893-1916
This collection contains four printed speeches from the Government Printing Office: Hon. J. H. Berry "In Opposition to Establishing a Gold Standard and Retiring Greenbacks," January 31, 1900; Berry, "Bimetallism: Free Coinage of Gold and Silver," August 16, 1893; Hon. John Tillman, "Pensions for Confederate Soldiers," February 11, 1916; and Hon. Hugh A. Dinsmore, "Militarism and Imperialism," January 26, 1899, plus an original mailing envelope.
Arkansas Consistory No. 1, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite dance, 1912 January 1card
This collection contains a dance card from an event held on January 1, 1912, by the Arkansas Consistory No. 1 of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Arkansas Constitutional Convention records, 1979-1980
This collection contains materials collected by Robert D. Ross, Executive Secretary for the 1979-1980 Arkansas Constitutional Convention. The collection includes correspondence and memorandums from delegates. It also contains the names of delegates, the counties they represented and the staff. Minutes of the convention are on microfiche and are not included in this collection.
Arkansas Constitutions, 1836-1874
Arkansas has been governed by five constitutions. This collection includes all five original documents.
Arkansas Counties Information, 1820-1893
This collection contains information on Arkansas Counties.
Arkansas County (Ark.) assessor's notice, 1887 [January]
This collection contains one broadside, a notice by Arkansas County Assessor, J.G. Johnson, detailing his schedule for assessing 1887 real and personal property taxes.
Arkansas County (Ark.) assessor's notice, 1889
This collection contains an assessor's notice, signed by J.G. Johnson, assessor for Arkansas County, Arkansas, dated 1889.
Arkansas County (Ark.) assessor's notice, 1899
This collection contains an assessor's notice from T. F. Hudson, Arkansas County Assessor.
Arkansas County (Ark.) financial report, 1913 August 16
This collection contains one broadside, a financial report of Arkansas County for quarter ending July 1, 1913.
Arkansas County (Ark.) poll book, 1830
This collection contains an election poll book for Arkansas Township in Arkansas County, dated January 1830.
Arkansas County (Ark.) sheriff's census, 1829
This census for Arkansas County was recorded by the sheriff in 1829.
Arkansas County (Ark.) tax notice, 1884
This collection contains a notice to Arkansas tax papers by L. C. Smith, Arkansas County Sheriff Collector.
Arkansas County (Ark.) tax payer's notice, 1890 November 25
This collection contains a notice to taxpayers, signed by P.M. Back, Sheriff, Arkansas County, Arkansas, stating that he will be at the listed townships on the listed dates to collect taxes for the county.
Arkansas County list of voters, 1941
This collection contains one list of voters for Arkansas County, Arkansas, 1941.
Arkansas County School District records, 1891-1941
This collection includes record books, registers, directors' record books, election poll books, receipt books, correspondence, and legal papers pertaining to two school districts in Arkansas County, Arkansas.
Arkansas COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic collection (Digital)
This collection contains content published by Arkansas state and local agencies regarding the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic. Content includes web crawls as .warc files, Governor's Update videos as .mp4 files, and attachments and transcripts as .pdfs.
Arkansas Creed Selection Committee papers, 1969-1973
This collection contains correspondence, memos, minutes and entries to and from the Arkansas Creed Selection Committee.
Arkansas Crime Laboratory Board records, 1978-2016
This collection includes minutes, reports, and correspondence of the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory Board from 1978 to 2016.
Arkansas criminal statistics, 1921-1922
This document details statistical reports gathered by the Prosecuting Attorneys of the State of Arkansas of felony cases for 1921-1922. It names the crime that was committed, the number indicted, number convicted, acquitted, years of imprisonment, life sentences, and death sentences, divided by race.
Arkansas Cumberland College yells and cheers, 1910
This collection contains one page of college yells and cheers.
Arkansas D.A.R. Revolutionary War Veterans Wayside Exhibit collection, 1990-1991
This collection contains an article, a letter, and a program related to the Wayside Exhibit.
Arkansas Day at San Francisco Golden Gate Exposition letters, 1939
This collection contains three letters.
Arkansas Democrat Carriers' Address, 1879-1880
This leaflet includes the Arkansas Democrat Carrier's Address.
Arkansas Democratic Party county committees papers, 1950-1952
This collection contains papers involving the county committees of the Arkansas Democratic Party between 1950-1952.
Arkansas Democrat newspaper, 1846 May 21
This collection contains one issue of the Arkansas Democrat newspaper from May 29, 1846, vol. 1, no. 2.
Arkansas Democrat newspaper, 1846 May 29
This collection contains one issue of the Arkansas Democrat newspaper from May 29, 1846, vol. 1, no. 2.
Arkansas Department of Aeronautics records, 1981-2010
The Arkansas Department of Aeronautics records contain state airport aid grant applications and correspondence, papers and reports, presentations with slide trays and movie reels, photographs and maps.
Arkansas Department of Agriculture Century Farm Program records, 2012-2019
This collection contains the records from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Century Farm Program between the years of 2012 and 2019. Each folder contains the records for a single farm application and includes letters from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to applicants concerning application submissions and acceptance into the program. The application records also contain genealogical information for the farm owners in addition to land deeds. The collection is arranged in eight series, one per application year and further arranged alphabetically by county name in subseries. Each folder is labeled with an applicant's farm name and original order from the donor has been maintained. Dates of arrangement pertain to the program award year and not necessarily the year in which the application was received.
Arkansas Department of Career and Technical Education records, 1917-2005
This collection contains records for individual vocational schools in Arkansas, annual reports and five year plans from the Arkansas Board for Vocational Education to the Federal Board for Vocational Education, including records regarding African American vocational education programs, records and photographs for the Future Tradesmen of Arkansas student organization, meeting minute books for the Arkansas State Board of Vocational Education, albums of newspaper clippings, VHS tapes, audio cassette tapes from the Workforce Development Commission, and two ledger books.
Arkansas Department of Career Education image collection, 1920-1930
This collection is comprised of 49 glass negatives depicting agricultural scenes, agrarian life, and new technologies from the 1920s and 1930s. Also included are two large photographs and two digital images.
Arkansas Department of Correction, Cummins Unit collection, 1900-1998
This collection contains miscellaneous documents on inmates at Cummins Prison as well as photographs.
Arkansas Department of Education records, 1881-1984
This collection contains Arkansas Department of Education reports, including reports of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education. It also contains various publications produced by the Department of Education. The second record group in the collection contains educator license certificates and reports, correspondence, and meeting recordings from the Arkansas Teacher Education, Certification, and Evaluation Committee. The records date from 1881 to 1984.
Arkansas Department of Education school district consolidation and annexation records, 1937-2013
This collection contains records generated by the Arkansas Department of Education pertaining to the consolidation and annexation of various school districts throughout Arkansas, including court transcripts and information obtained via the Freedom of Information Act. The bulk of the material is dated 2003-2006, though it includes a 1937 study on a proposed reorganization of Arkansas' school units funded by the Works Progress Administration. Another significant portion of the material is centered around the Lake View School District (Phillips County), their 1992 lawsuit against the State of Arkansas, and ongoing consolidation issues.
Arkansas Department of Emergency Management - Federal Surplus Property records, 1956-2018
This collection contains records from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management's Federal Surplus Property division dating from 1956 to 2018.
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA): Director's Office records, 1950-2011
This collection contains directories, reports and publications, and microfilm administrative records from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Director's Office ranging from 1950 to 2011.
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA): Office of Budget records, 1950-1994
This collection contains reports, publications, correspondence, and budget and funding reports from the Department of Finance and Administration Office of Budget from 1950 to 1994.
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA): Office of State Purchasing records, 1981
Many items and services procured by state agencies must go through a bid and contract process. This collection contains six files related to state contracts for purchasing from 1981. The contracts relate to the purchase of items such as food and paper products.
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration: state expenditure records, 1950-1979
This collection holds twenty-three binders containing large computer printouts of biannual summaries of Arkansas State appropriations, expenditures, and balances between the years 1950 and 1979. They are arranged by the following categories: by funds - state and federal, by agency - state and federal, by classification of expenditures of agency - state and federal, by classification of expenditures of object of expenditure, and refunds of expenditures schedule.
Arkansas Department of Health: Arkansas State Board of Health minutes, 1951-2008
The Arkansas Department of Health records contain Arkansas State Board of Health minutes from 1951 to 2008.
Arkansas Department of Health pamphlet, circa 1950
This collection contains a pamphlet of a "Little Willie" comic and a broadside titled, "Health Goals for Arkansas Children."
Arkansas Department of Information Systems records, 1994-2013
This collection contains annual reports, strategic plans, and other agency publications from the Arkansas Department of Information Systems.
Arkansas Department of Labor records, 2007-2012
The Arkansas Department of Labor records consist of the press files from 2007 to 2012. The folders contain correspondence, memoranda, performance reports, claims, press releases, and newspaper articles pertaining to the labor issues in Arkansas.
Arkansas Department of Labor State Mine Office records, 1914-2003
This collection contains materials donated by the Arkansas Department of Labor's State Mine Office. It includes records from the Mine Office such as health and safety reports, annual reports, and accident reports on Arkansas mining companies beginning in 1968 and ending in 2002. This collection also includes 328 maps of Arkansas coal mines dating back to 1911 through 1979, which have been digitized.
Arkansas Department of Motor Vehicle records, 1996-2017
This collection contains brochures, books, and manuals published by the Arkansas Department of Motor Vehicles.
This collection contains files from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Executive Director's Office. The records contain correspondence, news releases, publications, construction information for park buildings, and other material related to the State Parks of Arkansas. Richard Davies served as Executive Director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism from 1990-2015. Kane Webb succeeded Davies as Director in 2015. He announced his resignation in 2018. The files in this collection cover the tenure of both, as well as the years 2015-2021. On July 1, 2019, the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism merged with the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and the two became the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. The Executive Director title was changed to Secretary, and Stacy Hurst was appointed as Secretary of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. The Department of Parks and Department of Tourism each have their own directors. As of 2022, Shea Lewis is the Director of Arkansas State Parks and Travis Napper is the Director of Arkansas Tourism.
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism: Tourism Development records, 1992-2014
This collection contains correspondence, commission reports, orientation material, media information, and profiles for all 75 counties in Arkansas all relating to tourism development in Arkansas.
Arkansas DeSoto Committee papers, 1987-1989
This collection contains correspondence related to the work of the Arkansas DeSoto Committee.
Arkansas Diamond Mines papers, 1951
This collection contains a notice and a report titled "Crater of Diamonds" from Murfreesboro, Arkansas.
Arkansas Ecology Center newsletter, 1970
This collection contains one newsletter produced by the Arkansas Ecology Center from 1970. The newsletter contains information on recycling and ways to help the environment.
Arkansas Employment Security Division records, 1937-1992
This collection contains annual reports, handbooks, service bulletins, research and statistics, Advisory Council quarterly meeting minutes, conference proceedings, laws and regulations, reports on Arkansas's industry and agriculture, and a variety of miscellaneous documents.
Arkansas Fairs announcement, 1887 October
The broadside in this collection is dated October 1887.
Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs papers, 1949-1956
This collection contains three programs for events held by the Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs from 1949 to 1956.
Arkansas Federation of Women's Clubs minutes, 1915-1918
This collection contains minutes of the Arkansas Federation of Women's Clubs between 1915-1918.
Arkansas Female College announcement, 1882
This collection contains one broadside, Arkansas Female College (Little Rock) announcement of its ninth annual session.
Arkansas Female College collection, 1875-1948
This collection contains catalogs, commencement notices, Warner Literary Club material, programs, college circulars, and miscellaneous items pertaining to Arkansas Female College. Also included are news clippings on Julia McAlmont Warner.
Arkansas Female College concert announcement, 1877 June 4
This collection contains one broadside, an announcement of the "Annual Concert of Arkansas Female College at Grand Opera House, Little Rock."
Arkansas Folklore Society papers, 1954-1957
This collection contains programs, letters, and postcards.
Arkansas Food Hall of Fame papers, 2017-2019
This collection contains nomination information and ceremonial materials from the 2017 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame event and an induction ceremony program from the 2019 event.
Arkansas for Lowden petition, 1928
This collection contains a petition for the nomination of Frank O. Lowden for President of the United States, circa 1928.
Arkansas Gazette calendar, 1924
This collection contains one calendar printed by the Arkansas Gazette from 1924.
This collection contains one letter.
Arkansas Gazette letter to the editor, 1955
This collection contains an undated letter to the editor of the Arkansas Gazette.
Arkansas Gazette picture section, 1911 May
This collection contains a section of the Arkansas Gazette featuring photographs of individuals related to the reunion of Confederate veterans held in Little Rock in May of 1911.
Arkansas General Assembly composite images, 1971-2011
This collection contains composite photographs of members of the Arkansas General Assembly.
Arkansas Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Office microfilm map collection, 1815-1981
This collection contains Arkansas Highway Department maps and Arkansas Geographic Information Systems (GIS) maps showing township and range for areas of Arkansas.
Arkansas Governors' holiday proclamations, 1874-1922
This collection contains holiday proclamations issued by Arkansas governors between 1874 and 1922.
Arkansas Governor's Mansion collection, 1960-2019
This collection contains various material related to the Arkansas Governor's Mansion from 1960 to 2019 including printed ephemera from events at the mansion, correspondence, photographs, news clippings related to various governors and the mansion, and other administrative documents. It includes material from the administrations of Orval Faubus to Asa Hutchinson.
Arkansas Governor's Mansion papers, 1972-1973
This collection contains papers, reports, notes and a reply to First Lady Betty Bumpers in July 1972 regarding the Arkansas Governor's Mansion and the ownership of the property over the years.
Arkansas Grange circular, circa 1870s
This collection consists of one circular resolution of the State Grange of Arkansas, signed by Simon Hughes, Chairman, Executive Committee, Little Rock, Arkansas, dated 1870s.
Arkansas Highway Bond Program papers, 1949-1950
This collection contains news clippings, brochures, and a news release related to the Highway Bond Program and the election to approve it.
