Potts Inn Museum is known for being one of the Butterfield-Overland mail route’s best-preserved stagecoach stations between Fort Smith and Memphis. Built in the 1850s, it is a perfect example of antebellum architecture.
Potts Inn
The story of the Inn began with a young bachelor named Kirkbride Potts. Traveling from his home in Pennsylvania with two families of slaves, he settled south of the Arkansas River. After meeting, falling in love, and marrying Pamelia Logan, they moved to Pope County. The Potts started with a two-story log cabin that served as a family home and business location. With their 11 children and all the travelers stopping at the home, the Potts needed a new home that would better serve their family and business.
To earn the money needed to build a new home, Mr. Potts tried mining for gold during the Gold Rush in the 1840s. His first visit to California proved useless mining, but profitable to sell beef to the miners. Initial construction of their new home began in 1850 and took 8 years to complete.
John Butterfield started the Butterfield Stagecoach Line when the government needed a standard way to transport mail from coast to coast. The line served both the public and mail system. Potts Station was the only stop in Arkansas, which caused the construction of extra barns on the property for the stagecoaches, their horses, and equipment. The Butterfield-Overland mail route was so important to the country that it is registered as a National Historic Trail.
Over the course of the family’s history, the Potts house served many purposes, such as a post office, inn, tavern, and many other businesses. It played a role in the Civil War and is vital to our mail, as it was part of the Butterfield-Overland mail route. Several books have been written showcasing how important Potts Inn has been to our country. The town of Pottsville was even named after the Potts family.
Potts Inn Museum
Potts Inn housed the original family until 1970 when it was sold to Pope County and became a museum. Original log cabins were later moved to this location to house personal collections. The bank and pharmacy buildings were added to the museum, as well. The Pope County Historical Foundation now manages the property and does an excellent job.
A part of the Museum is the Citizens Bank Building and the Teeter Medical Collection (my favorite). These locations are typically only open during Butterfield Day. Both structures are located across the street from Potts Inn.
Some of the original windowpanes are still in place and the molds used to make the chimney’s bricks are preserved. The Inn houses original furniture and household items, as well as period furnishings and furniture donations. As a result, the Inn is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Butterfield Day
Every year, Potts Inn Museum in Pottsville is host to Butterfield Day. A celebration of being a stop on the Butterfield-Overland mail route, this day is filled with excitement, interesting collections, more museums, Civil War reenactors, antique car show, and so many more fun things to do! On any other day, Potts Inn is a museum with original and period furnishings.
Upon hearing about Butterfield Day and all the things they planned for the event, my mom, dog, and me organized a road trip to experience it for ourselves. Our itinerary for the day included Potts Inn in the morning and a state park afterward. And we might have stayed at Potts Inn too long because it was such a good event!
Our time at the event started with a browse through and lovely conversations with the vendors set up on the property. We then took a walk around the property and admired the antique cars in the show. Making our way in and out of the log structures was a unique experience. Each cabin showcased a different collection of unique items. We saw the trends of attire since 1870, hat collection, Indian artifacts, and a doll collection of all the First Lady’s dressed in a replica of their inaugural gowns (my mom’s favorite). A one room pioneer log cabin and barn were also open for tours.
The event hosted a regularly scheduled Civil War Reenactment that included information on rifles used during that period and canon shootings. Scattered throughout the property were more reenactors that were quite lovely. Stationed inside the Potts Inn, they gave information on the Potts family and their home.
The entire experience was well worth the drive to Pottsville! Potts Inn Museum is a must visit for anyone interested in history. Butterfield Day is the best time to visit, though. As their annual celebration day, admission is free, both the Citizens Bank Building and Teeter Medical Collection are open, tours are given on the property, Civil War reenactments occur all day, vendors of all sorts are set up, and an antique car show takes place. For more information on Potts Inn Museum, please visit their website.