By Sarah Roebuck
Police1
FORT SMITH, Ark. — A new interactive museum in Arkansas is dedicated to telling the story of the Marshals, the nation’s oldest law enforcement agency, the Thinkwell Group announced.
The U.S. Marshals Museum is an interactive experience located on the historic banks of the Arkansas River. The Thinkwell Group, a design and production agency, was responsible for the design, production and delivery of the experience.
Throughout the museum, guests will learn the full story of the Marshals, which dates back to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
“The story of the U.S. Marshals is the story of America – of struggling to live up to the ‘glorious promise’ of the Constitution,” Cynthia Sharpe, Senior Principal at Thinkwell and Executive Creative Director on the project said. “We had to create a space in which guests could engage with some really challenging moments in the nation’s history, but also balance it with the fun and larger-than-life stories of the U.S. Marshals Service.”
The star-shaped building, spanning 53,000 square feet, houses six captivating exhibit zones, taking inspiration from the shape of the U.S. Marshals badge. Within these six zones, visitors are immersed in the Marshals’ essential endeavors to uphold the rule of law, guided by justice, integrity, and service.
At the heart of the museum lies the central hub, featuring a campfire scene where four Marshals from different eras vividly recount significant milestones from the U.S. Marshals’ history.
Among the notable exhibits, visitors can explore a meticulously recreated frontier town from the Old West, complete with an authentic U.S. Marshal’s office and saloon. Within this immersive setting, guests can delve into the captivating narrative of the first U.S. Marshals appointed by President Washington as they turn the pages of the interactive book titled “The First Lawmen.”
Inside the saloon, an interactive “Icons of the Old West” card game awaits, offering guests an engaging experience. They can also interact with the amiable bartender, fostering an atmosphere of lively interaction.
Additionally, guests can gain insights into the present-day work and training of the agency by participating in the interactive fugitive chase simulation titled “To Carry a Badge.” This simulation draws inspiration from the actual training technologies employed by the Marshals and other U.S. law enforcement agencies.
For more information about the museum, click here.