B.W. Edwards Weapons Museum

A founding member of the Pioneer Washington Restoration Foundation, B.W. Edwards was an avid weapons collector who would donate his massive collection to the Foundation. Comprised of a wide range of muzzleloaders, rifles, handguns, revolvers, and knives, Edward’s collection of over 600 different weapons makes up most of the museum’s collection. Guided tours are available of the building. Visit the Historic Washington State Park Visitor Center for more information.

Basil Waldo Edwards was born July 31, 1904, in Monticello, Arkansas. Before joining the effort to restore Washington as a historic village, Edwards made his living as a building contractor and timber operator. Ironically, He was the building contractor for the current Hempstead County Courthouse that has housed the county seat since it moved from Washington to Hope in 1939. He also helped oversee many of the early reconstructions in Washington, including the Morrison Tavern and Blacksmith Shop.

Edwards claimed that his weapons collection occurred by chance. One day, he walked into a second-hand store and purchased his first rifle for eight dollars. It was at that point "the bug bit me," he recalled and from then on, he managed to collect over 600 different pieces. In 1960, he donated his large collection to the Pioneer Washington Restoration Foundation and by 1976 it was transferred to Historic Washington State Park. Over the years, other items have been donated to the museum from other donors.

Along with the Blacksmith Shop, the B.W. Edwards Museum is one of the most popular sites at Historic Washington State Park.

Brooke, Steven. Historic Washington, Arkansas. Gretna, Louisiana. Pelican Publishing Company, 2000.

Medearis, Mary. Washington, Arkansas : History on the Southwest Trail. Hope, Arkansas. Copies + Office Solutions, 1984.

Williams, Charlean Moss. The Old Town Speaks : Washington, Hempstead County, Arkansas, gateway to Texas, 1835, Confederate Capital, 1863. Houston, Texas. The Anson Jones Press, 1951.

Williams, Joshua. Washington. Images of America. Charleston, South Carolina. Arcadia Publishing, 2014.