13 Fascinating Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Crystal Bridges In Arkansas

One of the finest American art museums in the world is right here in Arkansas—but did you know that a record breaking painting hangs there? Have you walked the trails and seen the extent of the grounds? Here's a list of fascinating facts about one of Arkansas’s most appealing attractions:

1. It’s free for the whole family!

Admission cost: Nope. Nada. Zilch. Nothing. Thanks, Walton Family Foundation.

2. The museum is estimated to have cost $1.2 billion.

About $317 million was donated by Alice Walton. That’s her on the left. She also heads the board of directors.

3. The architect who designed the buildings is world famous.

His name is Moshe Safdie and he’s amazing.

4. There’s an app for that.

Seriously, you can download an app for a self-guided walking tour of the museum.

5. The library has 50,000 art reference materials.

There’s also a digital library!

6. It sits on 120 acres.

And oh! Those walking trails!

7. There are sculptures on the walking trails.

8. The restaurant there is actually pretty amazing.

9. The Tyson Scholars in American Art is an art history residency program at Crystal Bridges.

Endowed by the Tyson family and Tyson foods, the scholars have access to all the resources of Crystal Bridges. Housing and office space is available to the scholars who study there.

10. The Reese Teacher Fellowship helps high school teachers combine art with other subjects.

Teachers get to stay and work at Crystal Bridges for a month. They have access to the special collections, and the library at Crystal Bridges. The primary focus is on developing creative ways to use art to teach other core subjects.

11. There is work by Andy Warhol in the permanent collection.

12. Georgia O’Keeffe’s Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 also lives there, and it holds a world record.

It was purchased for a record breaking $44.4 million. That makes it the most expensive painting ever painted by a woman.

13. We can’t forget about Norman Rockwell’s Rosie the Riveter.

Have you visited the museum yet? Let us know what you think about it in the comments.