Shiloh Museum of Ozark History Entrance

Thanks to a Community Placemaking Grant supported by the Walton Family Foundation, The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History‬ in Springdale, Arkansas, worked with Project for Public Spaces to create a newly designed outdoor space, "The Front Porch," to welcome visitors and offer more programming and opportunities for the public outside of its museum walls.

Dedicated to celebrating both the past and the present, Shiloh Museum's exhibits, programs, and events have evolved to reflect the growing diversity of the local community, including the region’s Marshallese and Latinx populations. Located right by an Ozark Regional Transit bus stop and bordered by the Razorback Regional Greenway, the museum recognized an opportunity to expand its offerings by activating its outdoor space, building on the development taking place within a one-block radius on Emma Avenue, the heart of Springdale’s downtown district. Even when the Museum’s seven historic buildings are closed for the day, its grounds remain open to the public, a popular spot where neighbors gather to catch up, walk their dogs, or enjoy the gardens.

With a Community Placemaking Grant awarded in 2023, Project for Public Spaces and Shiloh Museum set off to take full advantage of its prime location by extending the welcoming atmosphere from inside the buildings to the outdoors. Together, we sought ways of amplifying existing offerings—the Museum’s free admission, public programming, and picnic tables—and exploring new features to make the grounds even more vibrant for events, gatherings, and passive activities.

The Placemaking Process

In June of 2023, the Project for Public Spaces team visited the Shiloh Museum for a series of focus groups and a workshop to hear from staff and other stakeholders about how the space could better support their needs and enhance the visitor experience. We learned that while the Museum often hosted school groups of up to 90 kids at a time and locals frequently bring out-of-towners to visit, there wasn’t much space for groups to sit comfortably, rest, or have lunch. 

Our workshop participants headed outside the Museum to observe key areas and to rate their existing conditions based on the four qualities that make a great place (sociability, uses & activities, access & linkages, and comfort & image). With very little shade to provide us with refuge from the strong summer heat and in noticing how obscure the Museum appeared from the outside, some problems were quickly identified. Although the grounds were beautifully maintained by Master Gardeners, who add color to the area through native landscaping, the large, blank walls appeared industrial and uninviting. The lack of aesthetic appeal and visual engagement pointed to two major goals: one being to attract new visitors to the space in a relevant way and another being to add features that would accommodate visitors so they can meet up with others or simply linger and enjoy the outdoors. 

The Reveal

Through many meetings with local stakeholders, we developed two seating areas that are connected by a vibrant awning that features the printed quilt pattern of a local artist. Passed on for generations, the Ozark tradition of textile art and storytelling is celebrated in an annual festival and exhibits at the Museum, and will now have year-round presence adorning the newly transformed outdoor space. Not only a piece of artwork and recognition of a long-standing tradition, the awning gives cover from harsh sunlight and serves as a visual wayfinding mechanism as it guides the eye to the museum's entrance.

We love multifunctional spaces. The Front Porch also serves as a stage and gathering spot for outdoor programming and events. Additionally, a newly added compacted ground provides some amenable surface area for foot traffic from lawn to pavement.

On September 4, 2024, the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History officially welcomed the community to “The Front Porch,” quickly attracting new visitors and activating it with more programming for the public to enjoy. Watch a video tour of the new space below, featuring Museum Director, Angie Albright!

"People immediately have understood its purpose and are interested and intrigued by it." —Angie Albright, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

In December 2024, the Museum happily reported that they hosted nearly 1,700 event attendees within a four-month period, and now every school field trip at the museum starts right at the welcoming and colorful Front Porch! For the first time, the Museum also participated in downtown Halloween programming and are currently exploring new and ongoing ways to better integrate with more initiatives.

We love how the new space has helped the Museum better connect with the larger Springdale community. As we know, community-powered public spaces have a transformative influence on how we all connect with each other, as well as with our past, present, and future!

Support Project for Public Spaces’ Community Placemaking Grants

Project for Public Spaces’ Community Placemaking Grants enable US-based nonprofits and government agencies to address inequality of access to public places that serve community needs by working directly with local stakeholders to transform spaces or co-create new ones. We do this by providing direct funding, technical assistance, and capacity building facilitated by Project for Public Spaces. Learn more about becoming a Social Impact Partner today.

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