By Becca Martin-Brown

You don’ t have to be a kid growing up in Rogers to be a kid having a great time at the Rogers Historical Museum.

And you don’ t have to restrict that fun to the exhibits“ for” kids, either.

Founded in 1975, the Rogers Historical Museum is an American Alliance of Museums accredited institution supported as a department of the city of Rogers. Its mission is to“ enrich lives through education, experience and exploration of our heritage,” including“ offering familyfriendly exhibitions and programs which allow people of all ages to engage the past, imagine the future, and find joy in learning.”

Located in historic downtown Rogers in the historic building that was once the Newt Hailey Ford showroom, the museum has several exhibits specifically intended for families:

— The Children’ s Gallery, found in the

Hands-on crafts engage kids and families at the museum.

main exhibit hall, includes a fully stocked mid-century kitchen, a workshop filled with tools and wood-working projects, and a“ Harris Baking Company” bakery.— The Attic, in the Key Wing Education Center, allows children to dress up,“ cook” on a vintage stove, use a manual washing machine, and discover many more objects from the early 20th century.

— And the First Street Display, also in the Key Wing, lets families take a stroll past a dry goods store, barbershop and a bank that once lined First Street in Rogers.

But Museum Director Serena Barnett says kids always find their own favorites.

“ What seems to catch the eye of children the most when they visit is the old jail cell that was at the Rogers City Hall,” she says.“ They are fascinated by the size of it and that people were actually put in there— and they usually want to know about specific people that had been imprisoned inside of it.”

Hands-on projects for children are often held at the museum.

Kids also connect with the spinning wheel in the White River exhibit, she adds.

“ They recognize it from the story‘ Sleeping Beauty’ and are excited to see something from the story in real life! They also really enjoy the White River projection on the 3D topographical map and watching the colors from the lights dance on the diorama as it shows the flooding of the White River to create Beaver Lake in the valleys around the Arkansas 12 bridge.”

In addition to visiting the permanent exhibits— and temporary exhibits titled“ Rogers Historical Museum: Celebrating 50 Years!” and“ Ozark Quilts: Stitches in Time,” open right now—“ there is a lot going on at the Rogers Historical Museum this fall for kids,” Barnett promises,“ and all events are free.”

On the schedule are:

Kids have been offered the chance to make“ shrinky dink” plastic art at some museum activity days.

Museum and Me September-December Second Tuesday, 9 a. m.

Join the Rogers Historical Museum and Rogers Public Library for a free hourlong reading program at the museum for children ages 3-5. Each month features a themed story and fun activities. Register atrogershistoricalmuseum. org / museum-and-me.

Birthday Stuffie Sleepover Drop-off: Oct. 24, 10 a. m.- 3 p. m. Party: Oct. 25, 10 a. m.

Kids can drop off one stuffed animal each at the museum on Oct. 24, their stuffies will enjoy activities, games, stories and snacks before bedtime, and museum staff will share their adventures on Facebook or Instagram. Kids come back at 10 a. m. Oct. 25 for a birthday cake party and a reunion with their stuffies. Space is limited, and registration required. Online registration opens Oct. 1.

RHM’ s 50th Birthday Celebration Oct. 25, 10 a. m.-4 p. m.

Celebrate the museum’ s 50th birthday with a drop-in cake party and familyfriendly crafts.

Goblin Candy Crawl Oct. 31, 3:30-5:30 p. m.

Pick up a trick-or-treat bag and map from the Rogers Historical Museum booth in Railyard Park and start a“ candy crawl” around downtown.

Holiday Open House Dec. 13, 10 a. m.-2 p. m.

This free event features guided tours of the 1895 Hawkins House, featuring a look at how families in early Rogers celebrated the season at home. Kids can enjoy holiday crafts and refreshments, and Santa Claus will read“’ Twas the Night Before Christmas” at 1 p. m., followed by a Christmas carol sing-along.

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The Rogers Historical Museum is open 10 a. m.-4 p. m. Tuesday-Saturday, and admission is always free. Find out more at www. rogershistoricalmuseum. org