Bentonville, Arkansas, is where one of the biggest companies in the world got its start. Sam Walton opened a small variety store on the town square here in 1950. Twelve years later, he opened the first Walmart in nearby Rogers. His old store is now the Walmart Museum, and it is free to visit.
We stopped in on an August afternoon. It is an easy visit, right in the middle of downtown. Our visit took about 30 minutes, and it was crowded.
The old store on the square
The front still looks like an old small-town store, with the Walton’s 5-10 name over a striped awning. The building dates back to the mid-1800s, and it is the oldest one on the square. It opened as a visitor center in 1990 and became the Walmart Museum in 2012.
Inside the museum
The inside is bright and open. Panels and screens tell the story of the company, and you can move through at your own pace. One big wall simply says thank you.
One display was all about her, with books, a TV and a bright yellow outfit in a glass case.
The LEGO models
Two of the displays are built from LEGO. One model shows a row of red brick buildings, with a crowd of tiny figures in the street. Another is a cutaway of a white storefront, with the walls open so you can see into each room.
The Spark Café
The visit ends at the Spark Café, an old-fashioned soda fountain with ice cream and sweet treats. It was packed when we got there.
Practical Info
- Where: 105 N. Main Street, on the town square in Bentonville, Arkansas.
- Cost: The museum is free.
- Hours: These have changed over time, so check the Walmart Museum website before you go.
- Parking: You can park on the square or on nearby streets.
- Allow: About 30 minutes, and expect crowds.
- Nearby: If you only have time for one stop in Bentonville, make it Crystal Bridges.
