Belle Museum and Chapel

The Belle Museum in Charleston (Franklin County) was founded by two lifelong residents of the area, Delbert Ervin and Mary Belle Delaney Ervin. It opened its doors to the public in 1998 with a mission to “understand the past to prepare for the future.”

The centerpiece of the museum is the chapel, formerly the First Presbyterian Church of Charleston, which was built in 1921 at the height of an economic boom in Charleston, mainly fueled by the coal mining industry. The church thrived for most of the twentieth century and counted many prominent citizens as parishioners and elders. However, by the mid-1970s, attendance began to decline. In the late 1990s, it became clear that the church could no longer be self-sustaining.

Into the picture stepped the Ervins, who were both very active in the community, especially when it concerned history, taking part in reenactments and historical field trips. They were also avid collectors of historical materials, especially those from the surrounding area. As they approached retirement, they began dreaming of sharing their finds with the people of Charleston. Just as meaningful usage of the church building seemed to be at an end, an opportunity arose that would recast its role in the community and ensure that it would continue to serve its citizenry into the future. On July 30, 1996, the trustees of the Presbyterian church deeded its property to the Ervins, and two years later, the Belle Museum, named in honor of Mary Belle, had its official opening.

For the rest of their lives (Delbert died in 2016 and Mary Belle in 2023), the Ervins continued to enlarge the facilities to accommodate the burgeoning collection. Local citizens also contributed materials, intent on sharing their own historical treasures with the rest of the community.

In addition to the chapel, the museum complex includes Davis Memorial Hall (which was added by the church congregation in 1927), a brick annex of approximately the same size (which was built by the Ervins around 2000), and a passageway, completed in 2022, connecting the annex with the Manse, the former pastor’s residence.

The museum houses artifacts documenting all aspects of the area’s history: religion, education, politics, and agriculture, as well as retail trades and community organizations. There is also a large genealogy section containing family histories. The chapel continues to be the focus of events, from the occasional religious ceremony to educational lectures and musical programs.

On May 29, 2008, the chapel was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing property to the Charleston Commercial Historic District, highlighting the decade of the 1920s.

The Belle Museum is owned and operated under the control of Belle Museum, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization formed in 2024. It is in the care of volunteers and is open to the public every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

For additional information:
Belle Museum. https://www.bellemuseum.com/ (accessed February 6, 2026).

Belle Museum. https://www.facebook.com/southfranklincounty (accessed February 6, 2026).

“Charleston Commercial Historic District.” National Register of Historic Places registration form. On file at Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, Little Rock, Arkansas. Online at https://www.arkansasheritage.com/arkansas-historic-preservation-program (accessed February 6, 2026).

“Delbert and Mary Belle Ervin Honored at Chamber Banquet.” Charleston Express, April 29, 2009.

James, Deloris. “There’s a Museum in the Future.” Charleston Express, September 25, 1996.

Noel, Louise. “The Belle Museum—Charleston’s History in Artifacts.” Charleston Express, May 28, 2003.

Joe Huck
Magazine, Arkansas