See the Shoppach House Museum June 18 & 28 – Built in 1853 it is the oldest brick home in Saline County

The Shoppach House (Shooper), at 503 N. Main Street in Benton, Arkansas for 170+ years.

The historic Shoppach House museum will host two free public open house events this June, giving residents and visitors a chance to tour Saline County’s oldest standing brick home and its historic grounds.

Organizers scheduled the first open house to run alongside downtown Benton’s Third Thursday Street Festival on June 18 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., followed by a Sunday afternoon open house on June 28 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Third Thursday attendees on June 18 can find the museum’s informational booth on the downtown square or walk directly to the house at 503 N. Main St. for a tour.

Visitors can step inside the 170-year-old landmark to hear historical stories and explore additional buildings on the property, including an old post office and an old church. These are free community events, however, if you’d like to donate or become a member read more about it below.

The home holds deep historical significance for the region. Built in 1853, the structure sits on the northern edge of Benton’s original 80-acre town plot. The building’s bricks were formed and fired on the property. (More after the video)

In April 1861, the house served as the assembly site for Saline County’s Company E of the 1st Arkansas Infantry, Confederate States of America. Local women presented the men with a handmade battle flag before they departed for the Civil War.

In 1863, Union Army officers occupied Benton and utilized the home as their official quarters, while their troops built a fort across the road at the current corner of Carpenter and Military roads.

Photos below of inside the Shoppach House, from June 2023 by Thelma Poole.

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German immigrant John Wilhelm Shoppach constructed the house. Born in Hesse-Cassel on March 16, 1809, Shoppach moved to Benton around 1836 and later served as the County Clerk and City Clerk from 1852 until his death on November 19, 1861.

His wife, Sibby Pelton (Shoppach), was born in Illinois on June 16, 1813, and migrated to Benton four years later. The only others who resided at Saline Crossing At the time was the family of William Lockhart.

An historical marker outside the Shoppach House has several errors on it. John W. Shoppach built the home in 1853. His son was John F. Shoppach.

John and Sibby married on July 8, 1838, and had 11 children. Though spelled “Shoppach,” the family traditionally pronounces the German surname as “Shooper.”

The museum earned a listing on the National Register of Historic Places on October 10, 1975. The Saline County Art League, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, privately owns and manages the entire property.

Membership dues entitle the member to receive the semi-annual Friends of the Shoppach House newsletter.

The league relies entirely on community memberships and tax-deductible donations to preserve the house and its contents for future generations.

Annual memberships run on a calendar year basis from January 1 through December 31 and include a subscription to the semi-annual Friends of the Shoppach House newsletter.

Annual membership levels consist of Individual ($20), Family ($30), and Sustaining Individual, Business, or Foundation ($150) tiers. The league also accepts one-time contributions, including Heritage ($500), Honorary/Memorial ($1,000), and Benefactor ($5,000) donations. Supporters can mail checks payable to the Saline County Art League to Friends of the Shoppach House, 475 Painted Horse Dr., Benton, AR 72019.

For more details on the upcoming open houses, tours, or memberships, community members can contact Saline County Art League President Harold D. Pelton via email at [email protected] or by phone at 501-840-5873. Additional inquiries can go to 501-607-1096 or [email protected].