Make an Impact on the Riverfront
Fort Kids started as a dream to bring a children’s museum to Fort Smith, Arkansas. With a generous land donation from the Westphal family, that dream is quickly becoming a reality and we are so excited for what the future holds for our community and the surrounding River Valley Area.
Get to know Fort Kids!
Our Mission is to Build a World of Possibility and Connection through Play.
May 2022
Fort Kids became a registered 501c3 non-profit public charity
Fort Kids held its first open meeting and the people that attended became the board members.
June 2022
Fort Kids researched museum planning companies and hired Haizlip Studio to assist with a marketing study and feasibility analysis.
August 2022
Haizlip Studio visited Fort Smith and saw potential museum sites from Chaffee to Downtown.
Fort Kids held its first community coffee event at the Bakery District in downtown Fort smith.
September 2022
Fort Kids explored sites while working to determine the right size for the museum, worked on estimated construction costs, and created a sustainability plan for operating costs.
December 2022
A group of business leaders in the community held a fundraiser for Fort Kids and more than $6,000 was raised!
February 2023
Fort Kids hosted focus groups with business leaders, healthcare leaders, non-profit and community leaders.
March 2023
Fort Kids visited all 19 Fort Smith Public Schools elementaries to hear what kids in our community want Fort Kids to be and have within exhibits designs.
June 2023
Fort Kids was generously gifted land on the riverfront by the Westphal family.
July 2023
Fort Kids expanded its board from a group of 11 to a board of 14 members.
August 2023
Fort Kids receives $15,000 in funds from the Mayor’s 3rd Annual Gala.