Esse Museum & Store

Esse Museum & Store At ESSE, we believe quality craftmanship, ethically sourced products and items that support, not suppress, the people who make them justify a higher cost.
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Esse Purse Museum & Store showcases more than fashion history, ESSE’s permanent exhibit honors and celebrates the progression of the 20th-century American woman – decade by decade – through the lens of her handbag and the contents within. Through the collection and artful display of this material culture, as well as with the help of photography and ephemera, ESSE provides a contemplative portrayal

of the woman’s struggles, accomplishments, and more sweepingly, the times in which she lived. Not only is ESSE a woman-owned small business, but The Store at ESSE is a supporter of artisans from all over the world – a small business supporting other small businesses. Art is more than a possession, it's a feeling, a memory and a frame of mind – and ESSE sells art in the form of purses, jewelry and more.

Check out the new jewelry in the store! One Eleven Designs is a handmade jewelry line by Little Rock native, Amy Golden ...
05/21/2026

Check out the new jewelry in the store! One Eleven Designs is a handmade jewelry line by Little Rock native, Amy Golden McCay. What started as a hobby after college in the 90s grew into a love for creating colorful, easy to wear pieces that range from playful to timeless and elegant. Inspired by everyday style, Amy mixes a little of everything - gemstones, pearls, acrylic, metals and wood, bone and glass - to create jewelry meant to be layered, loved, and worn daily.

Have you checked out our temporary exhibit, The 3 SoMa Sisters? Come visit to learn more about the connection of these t...
05/18/2026

Have you checked out our temporary exhibit, The 3 SoMa Sisters? Come visit to learn more about the connection of these three sister organizations.

The has created a space dedicated to the kind of exploration that takes place from the inside out. The Authentic Self offers classes and workshops that span meditation, somatic movement, dreamwork, human design, archetypal exploration, cooking and more. Go follow the Authentic Self on instagram and Facebook for more information about upcoming offerings. And come see the 3 Sisters exhibit at ESSE!

✨Next up in our Arkansas women trailblazer spotlights: Rosa Zagnoni Marinoni ✨ Rosa Zagnoni Marinoni was born in Italy i...
05/14/2026

✨Next up in our Arkansas women trailblazer spotlights: Rosa Zagnoni Marinoni ✨

Rosa Zagnoni Marinoni was born in Italy in 1888 and moved to New York in 1898. Her father was a journalist and drama critic and her mother was a poet and artist. She moved to Fayetteville in 1908. She was a prolific writer and was appointed the poet laureate in 1953. She also founded Arkansas Poetry Day and developed several women’s writing groups at the University of Arkansas. Many of her poems feature the Ozarks and celebrate the people who lived there.

The telephone handbag, produced by Dallas handbags, from the 70s is often referred to as the “original mobile phone.” Si...
05/05/2026

The telephone handbag, produced by Dallas handbags, from the 70s is often referred to as the “original mobile phone.” Simply plug your purse into a wall jack and make a call! 📞👜

Check out the black telephone handbag in our collection plus lots of other unique purses. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students, seniors, and military.

Join ESSE Museum & Store for our exhibit, “The Three SoMa Sisters: History, Nature, Wellness, and Anita Davis’ Mission t...
04/30/2026

Join ESSE Museum & Store for our exhibit, “The Three SoMa Sisters: History, Nature, Wellness, and Anita Davis’ Mission to Thrive in SoMa.” The exhibit tells the story of how one woman’s inner exploration blossomed into three distinct expressions, each one rooted in the beauty, resilience, and spirit of the feminine.

The Bernice Garden, the ESSE Purse Museum, and the Authentic Self each hold their own identity, yet together they represent a full arc: from creating community space centered around nature and gathering, to honoring women’s stories across the decades, to offering pathways for personal healing and growth.

Address

1510 Main Street
Little Rock, AR
72202

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 4pm
Wednesday 11am - 4pm
Thursday 11am - 4pm
Friday 11am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+15019169022

Website

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