Texarkana: Museum of Regional History

Texarkana’s most famous musical son is Scott Joplin, “The Father of Ragtime,” and the Museum of Regional History houses an interactive exhibit dedicated to his early years in the city. The exhibit features instruments, sheet music, and multimedia displays exploring the origins of ragtime and Joplin’s journey from Texarkana to national fame.

The museum itself is housed in one of the oldest brick buildings in Texarkana and covers the broader history of the Ark-Tex region, making the Joplin exhibit the musical heart of a larger story.

Historical Artifacts: The exhibits feature jazz and folk music history, and notably house one of Scott Joplin’s original pianos.

Regional Pioneers: The museum also highlights other legendary musicians tied to the area, such as blues pioneer Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter and avant-garde composer Conlon Nancarrow.

The primary permanent and rotating Museum of Regional History exhibits include:

• Caddo Native American Heritage: Features an extraordinary collection of jewelry, tools, rare photographs, and pottery crafted by the region’s indigenous Caddo people.
• Wright Patman Office: A detailed replica of the office of late Texas Congressman Wright Patman, who served the region for nearly 50 years.
• Hotel Grim Exhibit: Showcases unique artifacts, documents, and historical items salvaged from Texarkana’s landmark historic hotel.
• Medical and Dental History: A dedicated regional showcase displaying early 20th-century tools, equipment, and medical practices from the area.
• Founding and Expansion: Galleries detailing early Spanish and French explorers, the rise of the railroad system, and local agricultural and industrial growth.
• 20th-Century Movements: Displays tracking Texarkana’s localized role and community impact during World War II and the Civil Rights Movement.
• Wilbur Smith Research Library: Houses the museum’s comprehensive archives, featuring pioneer history files, vintage city directories, and rare historic photographs.