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The state of Arkansas celebrates its 182nd birthday on Friday, June 15, and there has never been a better reason to eat cheese dip.
In many ways, the story of Arkansas and its people begins at Arkansas’ Old State House – the original state capitol building. Since 1833, when construction began, the building and its grounds have witnessed many of the most important events in the history of our state.
Several local businesses are supporting the Old State House Museum as part of a big birthday bash all week. These partners will donate a portion of proceeds from specified products sold June 11-15 to the Old State House Museum Associates, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Old State House Museum and its programs.
Businesses participating include:
- Big Orange WEST (17809 Chenal Pkwy., Ste. G-101, Little Rock) and Big Orange MIDTOWN (207 N. University Ave., Ste. 100, Little Rock) will donate $1 for each purchase of Big Orange Cheese Dip served ‘Arkansas Style’ with Chipperbeck Potato Chips.
- Lost Forty Brewing (501 Byrd St., Little Rock) will donate $1 for each Love Honey Bock purchase.
- Heights Taco & Tamale Co. (5805 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock) will donate $1 for each purchase of the 5 Families Cheese Dip.
- Local Lime (17809 Chenal Pkwy., Little Rock) will donate $1 for each purchase of Queso Blanco.
- Rock City Outfitters will donate $10 for any purchase of one of its 30 Arkansas themed T-shirts.
- Domestic Domestic (5501 Kavanaugh Blvd. Ste. C, Little Rock) will donate 100 percent of proceeds from the sale of its green ceramic Domestic Domestic mug. In addition, a free one-year membership to Old State House Museum Associates will be included with the purchase ($35 value).
- ZAZA Fine Salad + Wood-Oven Pizza Co. (5600 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock) will donate $1 for each purchase of Arkansas Blackberry Gelato.
- The Pizzeria (4910 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock) will donate $2 from the sale of its Blackberry Bramble Beer Cocktail.
“It just seemed natural that during Arkansas’ birthday we figure out a way to celebrate and support the museum that in so many ways defines Arkansas,” said Darren Irby, a board member of Old State House Museum Associates.
“We approached those businesses that instantly came to mind that represented the culture and products of Arkansas. Giving a birthday toast to Arkansas with Love Honey – made with 120 lbs of Arkansas honey, wearing your pride with t-shirts that represent the funny and historic landmarks of Arkansas and then, of course, cheese dip. What would an Arkansas party be without cheese dip?”
Just shy of two centuries old, the Old State House has been making and preserving history while keeping up with the times. In addition to open tours, the Old State House continues outreach programs such as teacher workshops, youth programs, loan boxes, and bringing history to the classroom across the state, helping make Arkansas history come alive.
“Each time I step into the Old State House, I am blown away by the ever-changing exhibits and how they tell the story of an ever-changing Arkansas,” Irby said. “The building itself is beautiful, but that’s only the beginning. The real beauty is how the personalities and stories that took place inside the building helped build and shape our state.”
The Old State House Museum is located at 300 W. Markham in Little Rock.
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