Arkansans have long been engaged in political life at every level. The selections in this exhibit showcase those political lives, modest and extraordinary, before the onset of television, the internet, and all the forms of electronic media that now permeate our lives. While the format of some of the information may be different, the tone and fervor is familiar. The documents, images, and objects in this exhibit reflect failures and successes, a now obscure American political party, accusations of electoral fraud, the fight for Women's suffrage, and the election of the first woman to the US Senate.

Learn about some of the nationally prominent Arkansans and the nearly forgotten citizens who have contributed to the making of our communities, state, and country. The exhibit includes selections from the collections of celebrated political leaders such as the Senators Joe T. Robinson (MS R563) and Hattie Caraway (MS C176), as well as from more obscure, though impactful figures such as the suffragist Florence Cotnam Brown (MC 353). It also includes items from collections of family history and local interest such as the Berry, Dickinson, Peel Family Papers (MC 1372) and the archives of the Washington County Historical Society (MC 1368).

To learn more about political life in Arkansas, visit Special Collections. For an overview of the variety of archival collections related to public figures in the state held by the University Libraries, please take a look at the topic guide "Selected Papers of Public Officials."