1. SOUTH ARKANSAS OIL AND TOURISM EL DORADO ARKANSAS OIL AND BRINE
WELCOME
CENTER
ARKANSAS
OIL AND BRINE
MUSEUM
BY: TONYA CORLEY

2. ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF NATURAL RESOURCES MISSION STATEMENT
The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources mission statement is to collect, preserve, educate and exhibit Arkansas’ natural resources with particular interest in petroleum and brine used for bromine extraction.
Tonya Corley LIBM Spring, 2012

3. SERVICES 10,000 SQ. FT. EXHIBITION SPACE
1,000 SQ. FT. TEMPORARY GALLERY SPACE
OUTDOOR OILFIELD EXHIBIT WITH WORKING UNITS
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS-YOUTH/ADULT
PRESERVE ARTIFACTS AND ARCHIVAL PIECES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
LIBRARY-RESEARCH CENTER
MEETING ROOMS
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
GIFT SHOP
EDUCATIONAL CLASSES/SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS
UNDERSEA DIORAMA
Tonya Corley LIBM Spring, 2012

4. SPECIAL SERVICES Educational Programs Presentations on a regular basis
Facebook
Website
Special Exhibits-Future dinosaur exhibit
Festivals-Chautauqua
Lecture Programs
Films
Field Trips
Workshops
Picnic Area
Tonya Corley LIBM Spring, 2012

5. Target Visitors-usually within a 60 mile radius
POPULATIONS SERVED
Worldwide Visitors
Target Visitors-usually within a 60 mile radius
Public Schools
Tonya Corley LIBM Spring, 2012

6. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
GOVERNOR
DIRECTOR OF
PARKS AND TOURISM
STATE PARKS DIRECTOR
ARKANSAS PARK OPERATIONS
REGIONAL SUPERVISORS-APPROXIMATELY 10 COUNTIES
SUPERINTENDENT-PAM BEASLEY
ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF NATURAL RESOURCES
8 FULL-TIME POSITIONS/2 PART-TIME POSITIONS
Tonya Corley LIBM Spring, 2012

7. PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Pam Beasley-Superintendent
Ms. Beasley has a Masters in
Museum Studies and Anthropology
from the University of Arkansas.
She also has a
History/Anthropology degree.
Tonya Corley LIBM Spring, 2012

8. DIVERSITY Wheelchair Accessible Free to all patrons
Accommodates all ages
Provides tourist information
Offers Professional Development For Educators
Tonya Corley LIBM Spring, 2012

9. Tonya Corley LIBM6320 Spring, 2012
SURPRISES
This museum has grown from a small idea with a desk in the Chamber of Commerce offices to a large museum that is the true representation of the oil and brine industry in South Arkansas. The museum continues to grow each year with new exhibits being added. There are many programs presented every year for students to participate. There is also a huge gift shop that carries unique gifts as well as books and informational items.
Tonya Corley LIBM Spring, 2012

10. Tonya Corley LIBM6320 Spring, 2012

11. EL DORADO WELCOME CENTER MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of a Welcome Center is to achieve a positive impression of Arkansas by assisting the traveling public in a knowledgeable manner, in order to enhance and extend their visit and to maximize economic benefits to Arkansas.
Tonya Corley LIBM Spring, 2012

12. SERVICES SPECIAL SERVICES Maps Wheelchair accessible Brochures
Restrooms
Picnic areas
Information Desk
Wheelchair accessible
Kioskes (computer)
State Parks brochures
Arkansas Tourism Info.
Website
Grills
Rock Collection Exhibit
Brine Exhibits
Tonya Corley LIBM Spring, 2012

13. POPULATIONS SERVED Patrons of all ages Visitors from other states:
15-20 per day at times
Tonya Corley LIBM Spring, 2012

14. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
There is no special training required but the employees must have experience dealing with the public.
They are state employees.
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
State Employees
G. L. “Gil” Gilbert
Manager
El Dorado Welcome Center
Tonya Corley LIBM Spring, 2012

15. DIVERSITY SURPRISES Wheelchair Accessible Free to All Patrons
Accommodates all ages
Provides Tourist Information
It was surprising how attractive the visitor’s center was and at the number of people who were visiting in the short time of the interview. It was extremely informative.

16. REFERENCES
Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources. Brochure. Copies in possession of author.
Beasley, Pam. (2012, February 9). Interview by Tonya Corley
[Personal Interview]. Arkansas Museum of
Natural Resources, Smackover, AR
Corley, Tonya, (Personal Photographs). February 9, Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources.
Corley, Tonya. (Personal Photographs). February 9, 2012.
El Dorado Welcome Center.
Gilbert. (2012, February 9) Interview by Tonya Corley [Personal Interview],
El Dorado Welcome Center, El Dorado, AR.