Visiting the Walmart Museum, Bentonville AR

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What city or town does not have a Walmart store or neighborhood market? The corporate behemoth that is the world’s top brick and mortar retailer began modestly as a small downtown business on the northern Arkansas town of Bentonville. Walmart is solely the vision and drive of the late Sam Walton. This was no overnight success story. After World War II, Walton moved around running store franchises for a Midwest chain. Tired of paying high franchise rates, Walton wanted his own store and sought a location he liked. He found the right spot in Bentonville’s town square across from the county courthouse. Walton’s 5 & 10 opened in 1950 and now serves as entrance to the Walmart Museum which also occupies the corner business building. Admission is free and little time is required to go through it. You learn Walmart history. Walmart was originally regional and the first store opened in 1962 at nearby Rogers. The 1970s introduced Walmart’s own brand products including the best selling Ol’ Roy dog food named after Walton’s beloved dog. There were 2500 stores by 1982 and the rest is history. Personal Walton memorabilia is displayed such as his 1936 high school yearbook, army medals and the Presidential Medal of Freedom received from President Bush shortly before his death. His office has been recreated as it was at the time of his 1992 passing. There are handwritten letters, his personal barber chair and 1979 Ford truck that he always drove. The company’s growth is detailed and plenty of “vintage” Walmart products are on hand. Where else are you going to see original paper bags? Bentonville is a company town. Walmart corporate world headquarters are a few blocks away. Local hotels do good business because executives etc. from all over the world must come to Bentonville. Walton is buried in the local cemetery. Family members still reside there. Walmart money no doubt plays a part in downtown looking good instead of rundown conditions found in similar Midwest/southern towns.