ESSE Purse Museum & Store - Little Rock, Arkansas

Address: 1510 Main St, Little Rock, AR 72202, United States.
Phone: 5019169022.
Website: essepursemuseum.com.
Specialties: Handbags shop, Fashion accessories store, History museum, Tourist attraction.
Other points of interest: Identifies as women-owned, On-site services, Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible toilet, Gender-neutral toilets, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments, Credit cards.
Opinions: This company has 200 reviews on Google My Business.
Average opinion: 4.7/5.

Location of ESSE Purse Museum & Store

5019169022

ESSE Purse Museum & Store is a unique destination for handbag enthusiasts, fashion lovers, and history buffs alike. Located at Address: 1510 Main St, Little Rock, AR 72202, United States, this women-owned business offers a fascinating look into the evolution of handbags and their role in women's lives.

The museum showcases a collection of over 3,000 handbags, spanning from the 16th century to the present day. Through these bags, visitors can explore the social, cultural, and economic history of women, as well as the artistry and craftsmanship of handbag design. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and educational programs, making it a must-visit tourist attraction for those interested in fashion and history.

In addition to the museum, ESSE Purse Museum & Store features an on-site shop specializing in handbags and fashion accessories (Specialties: Handbags shop, Fashion accessories store). Visitors can find a wide range of unique and stylish bags, as well as jewelry, scarves, and other accessories to complement their style.

The store is wheelchair-accessible and offers gender-neutral toilets, making it a comfortable and inclusive space for all visitors. The business accepts debit cards, credit cards, and NFC mobile payments, making it easy and convenient to make purchases.

ESSE Purse Museum & Store has received excellent reviews from visitors, with an impressive average rating of 4.7/5 based on 200 reviews on Google My Business. Visitors have praised the museum's informative and engaging exhibits, as well as the store's stylish and unique handbag selection.

Overall, ESSE Purse Museum & Store is a highly recommended destination for those interested in handbags, fashion, and history. With its informative exhibits, stylish accessories, and inclusive atmosphere, it offers a unique and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages and interests. To learn more about the museum and shop, visit their website at essepursemuseum.com. Don't miss the opportunity to explore this fascinating world of handbags and their significance in women's lives

Reviews of ESSE Purse Museum & Store

ESSE Purse Museum & Store - Little Rock, Arkansas

Savannah Bee

5/5

The Esse Purse Museum is an absolute gem! The collection is very impressive and so very beautifully curated. The evolution of fashion accessories through American history is absolutely fascinating and the museum takes you through each decade with an intricate display of handbags, cosmetics and pop culture. This is a must stop, and the museum shop is stunning, with prices for every budget.

Rebecca

5/5

The museum was so interesting! They have so many purses and items kept in purses from 1900-1990. It was cool to see how the styles of bags and items women kept on them changed depending on different historical events.
They also had a purse weighing station, which was fun!

Ashley Garcia

5/5

Definitely one of the coolest museums I visited in Little Rock. This museum is the only purse museum in the US.

I spent almost two hours reading and browsing each display. The staff has each display set up by decades. It’s not just about purses but also about history.

Highly recommend stopping here for an hour or two.

Jesse N

4/5

Unique museum, there was a lot more to it than expected and the kids enjoyed it. A little of something from every century from early 19something.

Elle

5/5

I spent way more time here than I expected to! The exhibit space is small but dense and well-designed - I took over an hour to make it through the space in full. The scope of the collection is striking and really captures US history through the lens of women's experiences. Plus, the gift shop features some incredibly interesting bags in their own right and a variety of prices. A super unique experience; highly recommend for history buffs and fashion fans in particular.

Deleshia Youngblood

5/5

After visiting the purse museum in Amsterdam, I was excited to see another exhibit. Unfortunately, I learned from Marley the other museum closed during the pandemic. The Esse didn't disappoint though. I read almost every word; expect to spend at least an hour here if skimming. The Soma temporary exhibit provided local history which was meaningful as it was my first time visiting the area. The gift store was an exhibit of its own. I definitely plan on returning with friends.

Nancy “NancyRuthie” Jenkins

5/5

This was the most interesting display of women throughout history. Shown by the design and use of women's purses and their contents. Each display is by the decade with a written explanation. My husband and I spent 3 hours in there, we were shocked at how long we stayed when we came out. Allow at least an hour. We read everything.

Anna

5/5

A fantastic collection of purses. You will be overwhelmed at the quality of examples of the beautiful pieces of arm candy artwork throughout this entire museum.

If you enjoy novelty purses your heart will sing when you see their selection.

The store, itself, has a selection of standard purses - some are interesting and some are very generic - well worth checking out.