This was a wonderful surprise of a museum! Even those not into purses or fashion, will like this. It's much more than a purse museum. It's a walk through history. Everything is presented beautifully & in a way to appreciate the artistry but also the functionality & how those changed according to what was going on in the world at the time. The displays also include a wonderful collection of items women carried in their purses. Doesn't take long but you'll leave with a lot. I learned so much. My husband enjoyed it as much as I did. And the gift shop is filled with fabulous things! read more

The Esse purse Museum is a wonderful stop if you in Little Rock! Beautifully displayed purses, etc from the 20th century with lots of details. Worth every bit & more of the $10 ticket price! read more

Interesting place to visit Not very large but gives a nice view of purses through the decades from 1900 - 1990s. Also some fun vintage cosmetics and the like. $10 self guided tour. The gift shop has some BEAUTIFUL purses! read more

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I was so excited to come here! I didn't know you had to pay, though so I was a little disappointed, but the purses they had here are very unique. It was too expensive for me but beautiful to look at. read more

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I had the best time here. The history of purses was excellent. I felt like my mom & grandmother were there with me. Seeing the type of purses they had and the history behind them was well done. Definitely recommend read more

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I love handbags. Ever since I can remember I've been carrying one. It was the one thing I wanted every Christmas and every birthday without fail. So when I saw this museum I knew I had to stop in. The museum is small but mighty. It holds handbags from the 1900s to the 1990s. I spent hours reading the history and studying the details. Every decade was something new and different. I was stunned to find out that the originalcollection was started by one woman; they now accept donations from all over. While I was there they received a new donation of a bag from the 30s or 40s. I appreciate the commentary on race and class, and how that translated into style of bags people carried. It really is a fascinating exhibition. I also love that you can shop unique bags and accessories in the "gift shop." Of course I got one (and some earrings). I couldn't help myself! Highly recommend read more

I don't know how I haven't ventured into this place before now. Absolutely amazing!! When you first walk in, you'll see rows of beautiful unique purses, accessories, and etc. At that time you can either purchase something from the "gift shop" area, do the tour, or BOTH......like I did :) There is a sweet lady that works there. She gave us the history on the purse museum and then we were off to do the tour (it's self paced). She told us how the purses were collected by the owner, Anita David. Also, I thought it was cool how her daughter's artwork told a story that went along with the purses on display. It was really awesome to learn about how purses have played such an integral role over the decades. The museum displayed purses dating all the way back to the 1900's. I loved how this museum offered some diversity. One section was dedicated to African American women, LOVED! There were also Frida Khalo items in the gift shop as well as other items that celebrated women of color. They also had an exhibit that was dedicated to LGBTQ Community. Overall, I enjoyed my experience and would recommend to locals and people visiting the Natural State. You won't regret this unique experience!! read more

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I absolutely LOVED this museum! Our Uber driver recommended it to us on a girls trip to Little Rock. We are so glad we stopped in! Super informative, a lot to see and look at, and not too crowded. The women at the front desk were super helpful in explaining how to best navigate the exhibits and setting us up for success. I can't say enough good things about this museum, I would recommend it to anyone in the city! The gift shop had some very fun and cute options to look through after going through the exhibit. read more

Fantastic small museum in downtown Little Rock. My mom and I both loved it. Very well done and fun exhibits by decades. Also has a store. Walking distance to several restaurants. read more

I'm just as surprised as anyone else that Esse was one of the highlights of our Arkansas trip. This is an absolutely fascinating experience with a gorgeous layout, and my wife was practically salivating when browsing the Esse purse store that lies at the end. Admission is reasonable too - we paid $16 for two self-guided tickets to the museum. Next time we're in Little Rock, we will definitely be back. read more

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Here is why I really wanted to make sure I got to see this while in Little Rock: 1. Only Purse Museum in the country & one of three in the world. 2. Current Exhibit is 'The 70s'. Being a 70s baby... had to see. 3. 2020 commemorates the centennial victory of women's suffrage. This museum's display and coverage aligns beautifully in telling the story. I loved this museum!! read more

Esse Purse Museum - Museums Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

Didn't think that it would be anything other than an oddity ... and wow! Remarkable display of "the purse" as an object to dive through Western decades. Great side-step during our tour, MagicShowDriveAcrossAmerica.com read more

Esse Purse Museum - Lovely staff - Museums Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

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I took my wife and mother-in-law and we ALL loved it ! We curated. Tells the history of purses and culture over the last 100+ years. We'll worth it. read more

Wow! I never been a museum gal till now! The purses were so amazing, the presentation was my favorite part. They displayed items that would be in the women's purses! Their pride exhibit was out of this word and made me feel so loved! I would of visited just for the gift shop. It had so many unique purses and jewelry. The Esse Purse Museum is a must visit for locals and tourists. read more

Esse Purse Museum - Happy purses - Museums Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

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Excellent little local gem to visit. This place is a must see for the handbag lovers that appreciate creativity and thinking outside of the box. Run don't walk to experience this magical location! read more

Very cute and informative museum. Their tours are very inexpensive, at $10 and they allow you to walk the entire stretch; however, it is a small one but very, very informative. It is sectioned off by decades and give samples of what the average housewife/worker would feel important relative to the time she was living in. It is quite organized! At the beginning of the tour, or at the end, you can walk through their shop. They have a variety of purses for sale at a variety of prices. read more

This museum was such a neat experience! I would not have imagined such a place in Little Rock and I was glad we went. I went with my sister and was very surprised to see such a span of purses across the years. I truly enjoyed how the information boards discussed the role of purses and their contents throughout history and how the advancement of women's rights and WW2 changed the fashion of the day. Definitely a cool place and their gift shop is just so very unique! We had a lovely woman introduce us to the museum and her kindness made the visit even more pleasant and fun. read more

The staff here are wonderfully friendly and charismatic. They create a friendly , fun and energetic atmosphere. I could've talked with them all day!! They even pointed me in direction of other cool shops I should visit in the area . As far as the store front goes, there's so many unique items to look st with a wide range of prices. Not everything is high dollar and none of it is overpriced in my opinion, as the higher priced items are designer , and made of fine materials. Lots of little things at lower prices if you wanted to grab a souvenir . There's even a discounted room with great deals . I have no review for the museum itself, only the store half. read more

The mist incredible purse collection ever ! The museum is fascinating.... The shop is thrilling. If you're ever in Little Rock DONT MISS THIS PLACE read more

What a hidden gem in Little Rock! I love purses, handbags, and accessories so this was great. When you arrive it is the Esse store. You purchase the tickets to the museum here. They offer reduced admission for students, active military, etc. so keep that in mind when purchasing tickets. After your tickets are purchased you are escorted to the museum. I am assuming the manager is the person that brought us to the museum. She gave some background information about the museum and the collection. She also encouraged questions and to take pictures. Each display represents a decade. It is very informative and shows how women's history is reflected through our handbags and what is in them. The displays provide historic facts and what it was like to be a woman during that time. The cashier told us that the featured exhibit changes regularly and to check back. At the current time it featured plastic handbags. The store is very nice as well and the staff was really friendly. There was a bridal shower being hosted in the back as well. This would be a great venue for something like that. If you are in Little Rock, this is a must-see! read more

Such an adorable museum. The owner was extremely sweet and explained a few things. The purses were from her personal collection. They were divided by decades and were presented with various accessories from that era. Also had a bathing suit exhibit divided by decades. $10 admission. Parking lot. Awesome gift shop with unique items and lots of artisan and vintage purses. Highly recommend this unique museum! read more

LOVE this place - who knew there was a whole history behind the bags and purses we all carry around! This unique museum is small but very thorough and engrossing. Most interesting to me was that they not only explore the history of the bags themselves, but they also discuss the history of what women have historically carried IN the bags over the decades. Some really LOVELY stuff to discover - so glad the museum's founder had the foresight to collect these small items over the years. Highly recommend! read more

This place is inspirational. It teaches you transformations of the society through changes in purse design. It isn't about purses, it's about women right to vote, recovery after wars, great depression, civil rights movement and much more. I really appreciated this laser focus aspect on a fashion. It's a well thought museum and we need more of a places like that. Every man in the country should visit this place to learn and appreciate women. read more

I visited here a few months ago because I love purses (and also because Little Rock is one of the most boring places I've ever been). It's a delightful little museum that's cleverly curated. The items on display were beautiful. I wish they had a better selection of postcards. MANAGEMENT: you have literally thousands of purses and accoutrements to choose from. Take some pictures and get postcards made online. It's super easy. You're missing a revenue stream. read more

I dragged my husband to this museum as we were passing through Little Rock. What woman wouldn't love a museum dedicated to purses? But my husband? Maybe not so much. This turned out to be WAY more than I (we) expected. The displays were by decade, with all the "stuff" that might be carried in a purse of the time. But more importantly, it showed the progression of women's place in the work force and in the country. Yes, the husband enjoyed it, too. read more

We got a private tour of the museum for our day trip outing. The staff here were so gracious and kind to stay late while we savored everything in the exhibit and in the amazing gift shop. Loved every minute and felt so safe and taken care of. read more

Great little gem in Little Rock! I really enjoyed my visit there with my daughter. Fun to see how both the fashion and lifestyles / women's roles have changed over time. Great gift shop if you're looking for a purse or gift. Also in a nice part of town with incredible ice cream, good restaurants and fun shops if you want to make a day of it. read more

This is an interesting museum and we liked it, although it is really quite small and $10 admission is steep; $$5 would be more appropriate. VERY nice staff. read more

What a wonderful gem in Little Rock! More than a store, an experience. The museum is amazing, the displays so creatively designed. My girls and I had such fun walking through the history of one of the most important articles a woman makes a point to being with her everywhere. We may not have a man atm but we always have our purse . The merchandising in the store is dangerous... we walked out with a lighter purse . Don't miss it, truly. #shoplocal #womanowned read more

What a great little gem in Little Rock. I can't remember how I found out about this online but I am so glad I did. The Esse Purse Museum is a collection you can tell was very carefully curiated by the museum founder. The current exhibit is their first exhibit and is very well done: A century of women and handbags. There are 10 cases each representing a decade with purses from the time as well as items a lady would have carried in her purse at that time and a plaque with notes on the time periord. As someone who LOVES purses I really enjoyed the information. There are also some permanant installations artfully displayed. The guest book is next to an old fashioned scale and visitors are invited to document the weight of their own purse- what a fun interaction. Although small, the care that went into this collection make the $10 admission worth it. I'm a very fast reader but also took some nerdy photos throughout the space and was there for 35 minutes. The gift shop is great as well and I spent just as much time there deciding which of the amazing items I would be taking home. Although my love came from an interest in fashion I also appreciated the historical notes of how women's roles have changed over the past 100 year and how our purses represent that. To make your visit more substantial I recommend checking out the neighborhood, which apparently the museum founder has had a big hand in revitilizing. There is a beautiful garden across the stress that hosts a small farmers market on the weekend. We did not get to try the restaurant but did visit the corner store / soda fountain. So charming and the locals were SO friendly. We spent a delightful 2 hours in the neghborhood and will make this a stop on future little rock visits. read more

Esse Purse Museum - Museums Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

This is a quirky little museum and I enjoyed visiting it. I think the admission price is a bit high, but, as a one time visit, I was ok paying for it. The museum itself is rather small, but is filled with interesting objects. I would have liked to have seen more information on the items contained in the purses--especially for those items at the beginning of the 20th century that are far removed from contemporary society. The gift shop had a lot of interesting things in it, and would probably be a good place to stop if you are looking for a special gift or something out of the ordinary. read more

This is a great place to spend an hour or 2. I was Apprehensive not sure what to expect. Definitely recommend!

Had a great time looking back at the history of handbags and after words check out the gift shop for one of a kind handbags and wallets. read more

Esse Purse Museum - Museums Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

I was in Heaven!!!!!! If you love purses and all the accessories that go with them go to this museum!!!!

This is a small museum, but so worth a visit! It has lots of handbags and purses, but the displays contain so much more. It's women's history told through the bags they carry and what they put inside those bags during different periods in time. Quite fascinating! read more

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Stumbled across this museum and couldn't have been more pleased with it. It's a short walk through the history of women in the 20th century by way of the purse. Each decade has a display of purses, what would typically be found inside them, and a short history of the time period in regards to women. Though it's small, we spent about an hour walking through. Met the owner on the way out and was amazed to find this was her own personal purse collection that she's been collecting for years! read more

This is a treat to find in Little Rock. I am an accessories girl, but this was more than purses...it was a wonderful piece of history. My boyfriend, who tolerates my love for fashion, even found it quite fascinating. The modern feel of the building, housing the decades of historical pieces, was such a wonderful juxtaposition. Every detail was carefully thought out and very much appreciated. Please take time to visit this museum; you might even recognize some things from your past! read more

Esse is just too fun to miss! This museum walks you through 100 years of history from the perspective of women's purses. It may sound unusual, actually it is!, but it's really interesting. I was surprised to recognize so many handbags from both personal experience and pictures I'd seen. And what a flashback seeing the bags I carried in high school! Don't miss the events either. Bought a gorgeous pair of earrings at a trunk show this week. They also have a large and interesting gift shop. This is an experience not to be missed. read more

Cute little museum! I dragged my husband to this place after reading about it online, and I'm so glad I did. We were the only people in the museum and got to look at all the purses and accessories at a leisurely pace. The museum showcased purses from the 20th Century. I loved the history and the way the purses reflected the times and the changes that women experienced in each decade. And the purses themselves! Fantastic. There was also a Barbie exhibit when we were there - so cool to look at those old dolls. Great experience. read more

Unique! Purse museum is tiny but fascinating slice of women's history. Equally fascinating is the gift shop that takes up almost as much space as the museum. Exquisite purses, bags, jewelry! You'll be glad you stopped. read more