Museums & Cemeteries
Troy Museum
The museum is open the first Saturday in June each year for a reunion. If you are interested in more information please call either Mollie Merritt at 870-836-5983 or Travis Lamkin at 870-786- 5306. The Troy-Riddick Museum is located 6 miles from Stephens on Hwy 57N.
Chidester Museum
In what was once the Chidester Elementary School,
the Chidester School Museum is maintained by the Chidester Museum and Historical Association. It started in 2002 when Chidester School Alumni realized there was no place to display old school trophies and memorabilia and preserve the heritage of their community. It is open to the public, free of charge.
Leake-Ingham Building (1850)
Built in 1850, this building was originally located downtown Camden and served as a Law Office. It is now known for being the last standing Freedmen's Bureau building in the State of Arkansas. It also served as the Camden Library for many years. It is currently located next to the McCollum-Chidester House Museum and is open for touring. For tours and other information call (870) 836-9243 Wednesday - Saturday between 9:00am - 4:00pm.
Oakland Cemetery
Oakland Cemetery is Camden’s oldest cemetery dating from well before the Civil War. It is the resting place of some of the town’s leading citizens from that time and many decades later. The grounds include a section for Civil War Confederate soldiers who died near Camden of disease and in military engagements. A granite obelisk serves as a memorial centerpiece. Both the cemetery itself and the separate Confederate section are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The grounds are tended by the Ouachita County Historical Society. On occasion the Historical Society presents a “Cemetery Walk” displaying various characters in costumes from specific periods in time. Characters in costume recant stories that might be told by those resting tin the cemetery.
It's located on the north side of Maul Road just past its' junction with Adams Avenue NW. Oakland Cemetery has 2 entrances.
McCollum-Chidester House Museum (1847)
Camden's oldest structure which was built in 1847. The McCollum-Chidester house was at one time a stagecoach stop. The Ouachita County Historical Society purchased it and the contents in 1962. The house is one of a handful of museums across the U.S. that are fortunate to have the original Chidester family belongings still with the home and on display. The museum is open weekly for tours. Touring info is the same as listed with the Leake Ingham Building below.