THE MUSEUM...

Delbert and Mary Belle Ervin, Co-Founders

Step back in time, research, or simply reminisce! The Belle Museum offers visitors an array of information and displays relating to local, county, state, and family history. We thankfully acknowledge specific collections and items of interest donated or loaned by the following familes and individuals:

THE CHAPEL...

For nearly a century, First Presbyterian Church has been the site of wedding ceremonies for local couples. Beautifully restored as "Belle Chapel" that tradition continues today. The chapel is available for private weddings and receptions.

Built circa 1920, Belle Museum and Chapel still serves as church home for the remaining congregation of First Presbyterian who faithfully meet for Sunday morning worship and bible study.

The Belle Museum and Chapel opens for Alumni Weekend, held each June, and other community events. Private tours are also available and are easily scheduled. There is no admission fee

iTo e-mail Delbert or Mary Belle Ervin regarding group or personal tours, archives, or for information on chapel availability CLICK HERE.

Helpful History Links and Information...

Belle Museum and Chapel is located in beautiful Western Arkansas on Highway 22

just twenty minutes South of Fort Smith AR.

More on the museum according to The Charleston Express newpaper, Wednesday, April 29, 2009..."They (Delbert and Mary Belle Ervin) purchased the Presbyterian Church building in 1996 and after many hours of hard work opened the museum in 1998. The church building itself is a historical attraction built in 1920 and is now full of historical displays and serves as a place where anyone can step back in time, do some research or do what most people do and simply reminisce. The museum also serves as a history lesson for Charleston history students with students visiting the museum on field trips where they can gain first hand experience about local history. The sanctuary has remained a sanctuary and is still used occasionally for weddings and church services. The museum is open during Alumni Weekend as well as other special occasions and almost anytime by request. We really enjoy people coming back to see the museum, they said. The museum has earned the support of the community with many area residents donating historical items to the museum. If the areas medical history is of interest there is plenty of that in the museum with exhibits from Dr. Bolinger, Dr. Neissl and The Cresent Drug Store just to name a few. The railroad that ran though Charleston for nearly a century is gone, but the waiting bench that was used in the Charleston Depot heads a railroad exhibit. Artifacts from the Singleton Stage Coach Stop that was located just west of Charleston reminisce of an earlier form of travel. An original bench and hanging oil lamp from the Union Church building, that was built prior to the Civil War and was one of only three buildings in Charleston that survived the Civil War, are there as well as a fife that was played during the Civil War by one of Mary Belle's ancestors. Church history from many area churches is also prominent in the museum as is school history. The bell in the steeple came from the Pagaet School, which was located near the Highway 217 and Highway 60 intersection, before the school was consolidated to Charleston. Other exhibits detail school history from its earliest beginnings in the area, including information about Julia Singleton Cormack the first female teacher in the Charleston school system. Old handmade quilts that almost speak to visitors about their history hang on the museum walls, as do paintings created by local artists. Household items and tools let the younger generation get a glimpse of how people went about their daily lives in an earlier time. Each piece comes with its own story. In fact, if it happened in the Charleston area, there is something in the museum to tell the story whether it was an everyday event or a once in a lifetime experience."