Featured Museum Exhibit Room: Mountain Meadows

The Carroll County Heritage Museum honors victims, survivors of tragic Mountain Meadows Massacre of Sept. 11, 1857.

Imagine The Journey West

The wagon train made its way slowly through the rugged terrain, the wheels creaking under the weight of their hopes and dreams. Families from Arkansas had embarked on this arduous journey, seeking a new life in the vast, untamed lands of the American West. They were bound for Salt Lake City, a destination that seemed impossibly distant.

The route they took was treacherous, with steep mountains to climb and desolate deserts to traverse. The pioneers faced countless challenges along the way – harsh weather conditions, lack of supplies, and constant threats from Native American tribes that roamed these lands.

Day after day, they pressed on, their determination unwavering. They traveled together in a tight-knit community, supporting one another through thick and thin. Children played amidst the wagons as adults shared stories around campfires at night. Despite the hardships they faced, there was a sense of camaraderie among them…

Visit the museum to learn about what many scholars call “America’s Original 9/11” – read the stories and see the artifacts collected from the Mountain Meadows Massacre site. To learn more about what you’ll find on this topic at the museum, click here.

Featured Museum Exhibit Room: The Tobe Wilson Train Room Display

Step into the fascinating world of miniature railroads at the Carroll County Heritage Museum’s Tobe Wilson Train Room. This impressive exhibit features an immersive 250-foot model train layout, complete with intricate buildings, boxcars, and coaches that transport you back to the golden age of railroading in the Ozarks.

The collection was lovingly assembled by Tobe Wilson himself, a former Green Forest mayor with deep ties to the region’s railroad history. Wilson’s fascination began when a friend gifted him a model train set as an adult, allowing him to experience the joys he missed as an orphan child.

But the Train Room is more than just model trains – it’s a living tribute to the life of Tobe Wilson and the era of the orphan trains that brought 150,000 children, including Wilson, to find new homes in the heartland between 1854-1929.

Immerse yourself in this captivating slice of local history mere steps from the Berryville town square. Whether you’re a railroad buff or simply curious about Carroll County’s storied past, the Tobe Wilson Train Room guarantees an unforgettable journey through the heritage of the Ozarks.

To learn more about this exhibit, click here