Hempstead County Between History and Prairie

In Hempstead County, you’ll encounter a range of visitor interests: Clinton history in Hope, historic sites in Washington, the audio history of Klipsch, and prairie in Columbus. The county’s visitor attractions include the Bill Clinton Birthplace Home in Hope, Historic Washington State Park in Washington, and the AGFC Rick Evans Grandview Prairie and Nature Center in Columbus. When planning your trip, you can choose among different focuses, including culture, craftsmanship, festivals, and outdoor activities.

Historic Sites in Hope and Washington

The Hope Visitor Center and Museum is located in a restored 1912 railroad depot. Its local exhibits explore the life and legacy of President William Jefferson Clinton. In Hope, the Clinton Birthplace Home adds to this history theme: it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers historical and interpretive information as well as exhibits.

Washington offers another perspective on the state’s history. From 1863 to 1865, the town served as the Confederate capital of Arkansas. Historic Washington State Park was also an important stop on the Southwest Trail and contains the state’s largest collection of 19th-century buildings. The trail’s history, the town’s role as capital during that period, and the collection of buildings offer different ways to explore this historic site.

Klipsch and Audio History in Hope

Klipsch speakers have been designed and manufactured in Hope, Arkansas, since 1946. The Klipsch Museum of Audio History is dedicated to Klipsch-related artifacts and archival materials; its mission includes exhibiting them. Visits to the museum are by appointment. Check the appointment arrangements again before traveling. At the Klipsch Museum Visitor Center, you can listen to several Klipsch speaker models. You should also check the visitor center’s current hours before your visit.

Prairie and Outdoor Activities

Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA is in Hempstead County, two miles north of Columbus. It is the largest contiguous tract of publicly owned blackland prairie in the country. At the Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Nature Center, the archery range and trails are open for public use at all times.

The Nature Center also offers an eight-mile tractor-drawn wagon ride through the prairie. The availability of this tour may depend on programming, so check in advance. The WMA offers fishing at two lakes, and hiking is encouraged. Along with the wagon ride, you’ll find other ways to enjoy the prairie through a range of activities.

Festivals and Craftsmanship

Held annually in August, the Hope Watermelon Festival celebrates Hempstead County’s history of growing exceptionally large watermelons. The festival includes arts and crafts, food, and a 5K run. If you’d like to plan your trip around the festival, check the current dates before making plans.

The annual James Black Bowie Heritage Festival in Historic Washington focuses on handmade knives, live forging, and the legacy of bladesmith James Black. The James Black School of Bladesmithing offers hands-on courses in which participants learn to forge, grind, heat-treat, and finish their own blades. Since course availability may change, check current offerings before including them in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Hope, Stone County, Grant County, Phillips County, Conway County, Baxter County, Crawford, Dallas County

For the main travel overview: Arkansas.