The Old State House Museum and Historic Arkansas Museum are recreating life in 1836 Arkansas with living history event 175 Years of Arkansas Statehood from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday (June 11). Admission is free.

The day begins at Historic Arkansas Museum, 200 E. Third St., Little Rock, with living history demonstrations highlighting everyday life in Little Rock at the time of statehood. Visitor can participate in dancing, military drills, and 18th century chores from 9 a.m.-noon. 

At noon, participants and visitors will parade from the Historic Arkansas Museum to the Old State House Museum, 300 W. Markham St., Little Rock, where Arkansas’ admission to the union will be commemorated with a 26-gun salute and the raising of a 26-star U.S. flag (for sister states Arkansas, the 25th state, and Michigan, the 26th state).

At the Old State House Museum visitors can enjoy a Methodist camp meeting, a recreation of a 1830s trial and the election of the first government officials for the new state of Arkansas. The Arkansas History Commission will exhibit Arkansas’ original 1836 Constitution.

The day will conclude with a performance of the period play The Blue Devils on the front lawn of the Old State House Museum.

Admission is free. For more information call (501) 324-9685.

The Old State House Museum Associates will host a second birthday bash from 5:30-8 p.m. June 15 at the Old State House Museum.

The celebration will offer a cocktail party with food, drink and entertainment. Arkansas artist Pat Matthews will paint a picture of the Arkansas flag on site which will be included in the evening’s silent auction of Arkansas gifts and events. 

Tickets are $75 per person. For more information call Sammye Johnston, OSHMA Executive Director, at (501) 664-1879.