hampson museum state park

This museum displays artifacts from the Nodena site (feel free to google it). Dr. Hampson took a real interest in preserving the artifacts on his land for other people to see. It takes about 25-40 minutes to walk through, depending on how quickly you read. The ranger working at the facility told us that they are going to have a newer building in the near future. I plan on visiting it again once they change locations!

If you're following the Mississippi River North out of Memphis, this museum makes for a nice stop off the beaten path. The museum is small, but very well done. The staff is informative and friendly. It houses the collection of a doctor who took a passionate interest in the Mississippian culture that lived near the flood plane prior to European discovery. This state park is part of a trio of parks following this culture along with the Parkin and Toltec Mounds state parks. Dr. Hampson investigated and gathered as many artifacts as he could before the area was eventually farmed over. Right next to the museum is a small playground and park that was great for our high-energy kids who had been cooped up in the car for a while. There are several picnic tables too if you want to stop for lunch. Our kids also chased the small toads all around the huge Cypress trees at the park. The creek there also gives you a closeup view of Kudzu if you are new to the South.The drive from I-55 to the museum takes you past rice patties; that is interesting if you've never seen how rice is grown. As you enter the town, be watchful of your speed. The speed limit changes several times and quickly.

The Hampson Museum State Park is well worth your time if visiting NE Arkansas. The staff is engaging and very knowledgeable about the Mississippian culture who lived in this area. There are many interesting artifacts, including a very rare small section of a real basket--I've been in many museums far larger and more famous than the Hampson and have never seen one. The pottery is also remarkable.The drawbacks? The museum is far too small and outdated to do the collection--or the staff--justice. We understand that a new museum will be constructed soon, which will allow many more items to be displayed. (Right now, it seems that barely half of the artifacts can be shown.)The museum is free, but be generous and contribute in the donation box. This collection and the dedicated staff deserve much better conditions than what they now have--and a new building will go a long way to help. The State of Arkansas has a little jewel here, and they should promote it more after the new museum opens! I'm sure if we visit again then, the new museum will deserve a five-star ranking!

Great little museum of the Mississippean culture: just right for a short visit and not too overpowering. Staff friendly and hospitable as well as knowledgeable, so thoroughly recommended. As mentioned by the other reviewers the little town is also interesting.

It's free, it's small and the town is cute as a button!As the story goes, this Dr. Hampson was the Local physician for COMPANY TOWN of Wilson. Yes, Wilson was started, run by and own entirely by one family at one time.Hampson's passion was archeology. He found a fantastic goldmine just north east of the town and worked some time to preserve what he could in an impressively scientific way. However, the land was and is private land and the site is obliterated now.Perhaps he saved the greatest remains.I saw a few pieces that are worthy of any museum.Call while you're on the road to be sure they're open.I believe it's run by the state parks.35 minutes from Memphis, TN.

Excellent little museum with an impressive collection of pottery from a local site. Only 5 miles off the interstate. Interesting little town as well.