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 Walmart Museum - Bentonville, Arkansas Posted by:  iconions
N 36° 22.358 W 094° 12.532
15S E 391560 N 4025958
This two-story, whitewashed brick building is located at 105 North Main Street in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Waymark Code: WM14TWY
Location: Arkansas, United States
Date Posted: 08/23/2021
Views: 0
My Commentary:
The Bentonville Square is dominated on the east side by the County Courthouse. In the center is the town square with the green area and the Confederate Monument. On the west side, in whitewashed glory with red lettering, is the first Wal-Mart or Sam Walton's Five and Dime that grew into the multinational empire.
Birthplace of Walmart
The newest exhibit in the Birthplace of Walmart museum is also among its oldest: one of the front doors from Sam Walton's first store. It was a Ben Franklin franchise in nearby Newport that Sam ran from 1945 to 1950. When its lease wasn't renewed, Sam moved his business to Bentonville and opened the first Walmart. The doors were salvaged in the 1960s and stored in a garage until their owner died; his family donated one to the museum, the other to the Smithsonian. The Bentonville door is dramatically displayed behind glass in a custom case with glowing edges, giving it the aura of a rare antiquity. The museum notes that the door is well worn, offering "evidence of customer activity."
- Roadside America website
A Brief History of the Museum
That’s a Part of Walmart’s History
The Walmart Museum is as much a part of Walmart’s history as the exhibits and artifacts that it houses. First opened in 1990, the museum was known as the Walmart Visitor Center. But as times changed and the term "Visitor Center" came to refer more to regional, state, and local tourism offices, it became apparent that a name change was needed. And so, today, The Walmart Museum carries on the mission it always has: To inspire, engage, and educate our visitors about Walmart’s heritage – our culture, history, and brand.
- Walmart Museum website
Price of Admission: 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Weekday Hours: From: 10:00 AM To: 8:00 PM
Weekend Hours: From: 12:00 PM To: 6:00 PM
Roadside Attractions Website: [Web Link]
Location Website: [Web Link]
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