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Official Website of the City of Monette, Arkansas
City of Monette seal
Historic Buffalo Island Museum building — former First National Bank, built circa 1918

Monette, Arkansas · Established 1997

Our history
lives here.

Step inside Buffalo Island's story — from farm fields and railroad days to family traditions, local businesses and the people who built our communities.

Take A 360 TourMuseum updates

207 W. Drew Avenue

Monette, Arkansas 72447

Saturdays · 1–4 PM

Seasonal hours; confirm before visiting

Special Tours Available

Contact the museum in advance

Preserving Buffalo Island

A small museum with a big story to tell.

Buffalo Island Museum was founded by Gerald "Boots" Pitts in September 1997 to preserve the objects, photographs and memories of Monette, Black Oak, Caraway, Leachville, Manila and the surrounding countryside.

Today, the museum occupies Monette's historic First National Bank building — listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2008. Its collections, many dating from approximately 1880 through 1960, show how local people worked, worshiped, learned, celebrated and built a community from the rich Arkansas Delta landscape.

Agricultural artifacts and farm equipment on display at the Buffalo Island Museum
Farm & Field exhibit — tools and equipment from Buffalo Island agricultural families

What You'll Discover

Stories in every room

Explore objects with a direct connection to the people and places of Buffalo Island.

01

Farm & Field

Tools, equipment, photographs and stories from the agricultural families who shaped Buffalo Island.

02

Main Street Memories

Artifacts from former shops, banks and businesses that once served Monette and neighboring communities.

03

Home & Community

Everyday objects, a historic Black Oak outhouse and personal keepsakes donated by area families.

04

Archives & Schools

Local newspapers, community history books, school yearbooks and reference materials for family research.

"There are still so many stories to collect and preserve."

— Buffalo Island Museum community partners

A Living Timeline

From sunken lands to a thriving community

1811–12

The New Madrid earthquakes reshape the lowlands that became known as Buffalo Island.

1898

The railroad reaches the new community of Monette, encouraging trade and settlement.

1918

The Classical Revival bank building that now houses the museum is completed.

1997

Gerald "Boots" Pitts establishes the museum to preserve Buffalo Island artifacts and stories.

2008

The museum building is added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Today

Volunteers and local students continue documenting, digitizing and sharing the region's history.

Plan Your Visit

Come see where Buffalo Island's past meets the present.

The museum is operated with help from dedicated community volunteers. Published hours may change for weather, holidays, maintenance or special events — please check the museum's Facebook page before traveling.

Address

207 W. Drew Avenue Monette, AR 72447

Regular Seasonal Hours

Saturday · 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Admission & Tours

Contact the museum for current details and special group tours.

Get DirectionsCheck for updates on Facebook

Keep History Alive

Every photograph, object and memory matters.

Have a historic photograph, document, yearbook, artifact or family story connected to Buffalo Island? Contact the museum before bringing an item in. Volunteers can explain current donation and research procedures.

Contact on FacebookEmail City Hall

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