Renovations are underway at the Fort Smith Museum of History as part of a comprehensive five-year, $6 million project aimed at preserving and modernizing the historic downtown landmark. Work on the first phase began Monday (June 9), with initial efforts focused on the building’s exterior.
The City of Fort Smith issued an $800,000 building permit on May 22 to the Old Commissary Museum Association to begin the project at the museum’s current location, 320 Rogers Avenue. The building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has served as the museum’s home since 1979. It was originally constructed in 1906 as the Atkinson-Williams Warehouse.
According to Executive Director Caroline Speir, Phase One is dedicated to stabilizing and improving the structure’s exterior. Restoration began with the building’s original cornices, which are being scraped, repaired, primed, and painted by Nicodemus Sheet Metal and Fabrication of Fort Smith. The building’s large windows on the north and east sides are also being repaired and reglazed, while remaining windows are slated for replacement.
“You don’t realize how bad something is until they start working on it,” said Speir, noting that the exterior improvements are as much about preservation as they are about renovation.
Additional exterior work includes tuck pointing repairs on the west side of the building, which endures the most severe weather, along with potential upgrades to the parking lot and roof. Another key component of this phase is the replacement of the building’s elevator, originally installed in 1982. The new system is expected to offer a quieter, smoother ride and will require approximately six weeks for installation. That work is scheduled for January, during which the museum may temporarily close.
Estimated at $1.6 million, Phase One is partially funded through a capital campaign that has already secured about 50% of its target. Contributions include a $100,000 donation from First National Bank of Fort Smith, along with various grants and tax credits. The city has also supported the project by waiving permit fees.
“We are applying for more grants and tax credits to help us complete this phase,” Speir said.
Future phases of the renovation will focus on infrastructure and exhibits. Phase Two will involve the installation of a modern heating and air conditioning system. Phase Three will center on reorganizing and potentially expanding the museum’s exhibitions, which house a collection of 40,000 artifacts.
“The structural and system upgrades might go unnoticed by some, but the new exhibits will likely generate the most excitement,” Speir added, emphasizing the importance of reimagining the visitor experience in the museum’s next chapter.
The Fort Smith Museum of History was founded in 1910 as the Old Commissary Museum, originally located in what is now part of the Fort Smith National Historic Site. Over a century later, the museum continues its mission of preservation and education through this major renovation initiative.
