Reviews of Esse Purse Museum & Store. (Other) in Little Rock (Arkansas).

Esse Purse Museum & Store

154 Reviews

120 Comments

Other

Tourist attraction

1510 Main St, Little Rock, AR 72202, United States

Description

Information of Esse Purse Museum & Store, Other in Little Rock (Arkansas)

Discover the opening times, the location, contact, popular times, photos and real reviews by internet users.

This place has a very good rate, they treat their customers well and you’ll feel welcome, super recommended

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Open hours of Esse Purse Museum & Store

Popular times

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Saturday

Reviews of Esse Purse Museum & Store

Anna

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.

Roxy Beaudet

Displays were very interesting. Just a great collection of purses and small trinkets commonly found in purses. Wish there was a little more information around, like about the history of purses or explanation of changes in trends, etc. Didn't feel like we learned much. It was more of a display of the art of the purse. Gift shop had great bags and cute little accessories for sale.

Aimee Peterson

I visited the Esse Purse Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas. It was beautiful. It solidified my LOVE of purses and showcased purses from 1900-1999. My favorites included viewing the accessories women carried and elegant handbags for evening wear. I loved the tiny pencils for dance cards, address books, ration cards, a zipper pull and aspirin which was carried often across the decades. This is a personal collection of the owner which originally started with her luggage collection. There was a special exhibit representing the LGBTQIA+ community and her daughter's art work.

P R

If your into every aspect of American history, including the fads and styles that have been influenced in ladies accessories and hand bags, this is the place. I have been to Museums in just about all of the lower 48 and some in Canada and even in Italy, Germany, Swiss. I have seen small collections in the corners of many a museum, but this is a bounty to be viewed. I can imagine my American and German grannies carrying some of this stuff in their purses. Way cool information to me and I'm a guy who is more of a check out the Air and Space or tanks or even a train museum guy which there is one in Winnipeg that is cool.

shawn poindexter

Loved this place! I feel lucky to have been able to visit since this is only 1 of 3 in the whole world and the only one in the USA. I also adore the artwork the owners artist daughter has attributed to the museum, very nice touch.The girls working there were so friendly and helpful too.

Karen Minvielle

I was not sure what to expect from looking at purses, but this place is FABULOUS and not to be missed! Think of it as a museum of women's history from 1900 to 1999 as see through fashion, purses, and what women carried in their purses. The displays are mostly by decade and are beautifully organized, diverse, and easy to see. Descriptions of each decade are well written and informative. My sister and I were fascinated by the decades before we were alive and laughed once we saw the displays for the years since we've been alive as we related to and relived our purses. The shop has a wide variety of beautiful purses to purchase along with a few hats, scarves, and jewelry. If you are near Little Rock, do not miss the Purse Museum!

Cas Rifkin

Small museum that tells a history story through purses. Being in my seventies, I found it a blast to be reminded of what I used to carry in my purse and what class I never experienced. Every time I go, I see something different. I really enjoy this little gem.

Mandy Reynolds

Great little museum and shop attached. My daughter and I enjoyed learning about the history.

Andrew Shen

Maybe not worth $10, but it's a nice collection of purses and bit of history about the life of women seen through the purses they carry from 1900-2000. The store has nice purses and other gifts.

Angelique H

Oh what a treat! Initially I was like, why am I here? Very small but nicely laid out store front. Buy a ticket to the museum & experience a well planned walk through the historic view of purses, lol! Enjoyed it a lot.

Lois Campbell

They had some very interesting purses! They allow you to browse without feeling pressured to purchase. I will come here when I'm ready to buy a purse and you should as well.

Peggy Fischer

Didn’t even know this place was here! Went in on a whim and was pleasantly surprised with the wonderful collection of purses and detailed descriptions of the era they represented. Interesting to see how the times change and how that affects what people carry in their purse. Would highly recommend this place to anyone.....especially women.

Ulises Calderon

What a treat of a Museum with lovely hosts on a fabulous road in downtown Little Rock! I spent an hour visiting the Esse museum with my 3 little daughters and we were transported back in time and memories as I recognized handbags that my grandmother used, then the types of handbags that my mother/their grandmother used and finally the type of handbags I used as a kid in the 80's and 90's! My daughters loved the different stories and styles! My 8-yr old wanted to walk through the museum again and spend all her pocket money on handbags and jewelry in the shop full of eye-candy delights!! We will most definately return when my girls are a bit older for another fun mother-daughter date and shopping spree!!

matissa cameron

Fun place to spend 30-45 minutes. I brought my teenage daughter. I wouldn't pay to take kids though they wouldn't have appreciated it very much.

Kelley Johns

The display if purses is beautiful and very artfully done. Love it!!

Markus A Maguire

We love the purse museum! It is #herstory! Carly is AMAZING! Men, you need to come too, this is a must!

Lulu Short

Small but mighty! An impressive collection of handbags through the ages, beautifully display and thoughtfully curated. Fun place.

Lance A-lot

Very nicely created Museum. I gotta share with our daughters!

Andrea S.

Definitely worth visiting! For fashion and arts lovers this museum is a must! Well curated and interesting content about women fashion!

Jennifer Barber

Small, but interesting. I wasn't exactly sure of the relevance of the extra exhibit, though.

Sue Ann Jaffarian

Loved visiting this place. Fun and informative with very friendly staff. Nice gift shop.

David Alexander

We travel to see family every summer and we’re lucky enough to be visit this museum. I was so into this and honestly have talked about it with different people over and over since. The way the museum is done is really creative and artistic and fun. It seemed like a journey through the decades. It was fun n very pretty. I loved it!!!! I am blown away that the one review says to skip the museum. Rude! The museum was excellent and we enjoyed it like no other!

Dustin Hoffmann

Fun and interesting museum. I was amazed that it was an almost exclusively private collection and put in a historic timeline made it even more enjoyable.

Emilie Liadis

A hidden gem in Little Rock! This place came highly recommended and didn’t disappoint! It was fun to see this personal collection of purses displayed by decade with some fun facts and history; collection was stunning. It doesn’t take to long to run through. Would definitely go again.

Betsy Alford

I become loyal to shops when I click with the employees. The gals that were there today were friendly, funny, helpful, and fun! I am from Kansas and I am so glad my sister took me there. We went through the museum, too. Well worth the price! Next time I come to my sister's, Esse will be on my list of places to go!

Linda Loftus

The display of handbags as a reflection of the decade was like looking back through my own life. I recall the bags of my mother in the 60s, I recall coveting the slouch shoulder bag of my aunt in the 70s. Thank you for an entertaining hour.

Bri Brewer

Wasn't sure how we'd feel about a purse museum, but very glad we went. Very interesting exhibit. It's self-guided, so you can take your time to explore each exhibit. Staff is very friendly and helpful in both the museum and the store.

Ricky Aynes

Cute shop.... DON’T waste your money on the museum part

Suzi Peerbolte

The gals at the Esse Purse Museum made our day! Friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful! We had a fabulous experience! The museum is incredible! Couldn’t leave without making the perfect purchase. The museum is a must see when you visit Little Rock!

Bette Barnes

We had considered stopping at this museum earlier as we walked by but wondered if it was worth it. Well, it is! The store was open late for the First Friday event, and on our after dinner walk, we were enticed by the staff to come on in the open door. It was so interesting to see the collection as well as talk with the very knowledgeable staff. My husband enjoyed it as much as I did, which was a bit of a surprise. Not normally his kind of thing. The history there is really something. So many things you recognize and remember. There is a wonderful selection of bags and accessories available for sale, too. So glad that by just happenstance on out last night in Little Rock we got to see this little gem of a museum.

Carol Gottsch

Interesting history about purses and parallels with how women’s roles changed through the decades. Staff was super friendly and knowledgeable. Also enjoy the fun shops in the same area. Well worth the stop.

Francene Miller

Absolutely fabulous colorful purse displays. Educational and most entertaining!! Loved it ....don't miss it!!! Esse Gift shop is unique and offers one of a kind custom gifts. Bought a decorative colorful, rubber chicken purse...cute and a real attention grab....my cousin loved it as a birthday gift! Classy earrings. men's multi colored ties...the neatest greeting cards!

Kayla Loschky

Cool purse museum, only one in US and there are only 3 in the world! Very informative of the history of purses and how it also resembles the history of women and becoming more independent. $10 to get in, but $2 off if you are a student, military or something else (I forget what it was). AWESOME gift shop - things from all over the world and all very unique. I spent about an hour and a half here - very friendly and informative staff as well.

Maria Steinberger

Friend of mine mentioned to go see this hidden gem . Must see if in Little Rock the only other one is in South Korea . I loved it, and to my surprise my husband actually like it. Enough said about the museum. What I was truly Impressed by kindness from Shana and Carly the time we enter to the very end . Thanks to both of you . You made our tour enjoyable and memorable . Maria & Joseph Steinberger

Brian Huonker

While more of an enjoyment for my wife, was pretty impressed myself. Never would have thought to look out history through a women's purse.

Emily Young

What a fun lo a gem! Museum takes about 20-30 minutes to walk through and a fun little stop! The store has many unique purses, wallets, and jewelry! Great stop in Little Rock! Staff is super friendly as well! Gave great reccs for local places!

Emily Connery

My girlfriend took me here as part of our valentines date and I loved it! The staff were super nice and they profusely apologized for the music accidentally stopping (neither me or my gf noticed), it's immediately apparent that they're super committed to making a good experience for you. The shop section is wonderful and there's some pretty unique finds (like our new miffy coin purse). It's a great place for anyone who likes either fashion or history (or both)!

stephen roach

Wonderful piece of Little Rock that is a jewel on Main St. Beautiful exhibits and amazing collection of history. A wonderful selection of carefully chosen bags, purses and more for purchase that you can only find here. Laid back like her city, visit ESSE for a unique experience.

BJ Arnold

What a wonderful hidden gem! I am not a "purse person" and rarely carry one so I was pleasantly surprised at all the beautiful, artistic handbags and accessories at Esse. One of only three purse museums in the world, the displays brought back pleasant memories of my childhood and all the "treasures" to be found in my mother's purses, several of which I still keep long after she's gone...

Ashley K.

What a wonderful little hidden gem in Little Rock. I was amazed at all the beautiful purses. The staff was very friendly & helpful when we had any questions. Best part is they have a scale where you can weigh your purse to see how much it weighs & record it on a ledger with other ladies.

Mary Nguyen

Amazing selection of purses, bags, wallets, and clutches....and more! Great place to support your local artists. Beautiful handmade jewelry! Great selection of vegan leather purses. Friendly, and knowledgeable staff! Just a fun place to shop!

Doug Fisher

If you want to understand our social history through our artifacts, this is one of those wonderful small museums you should visit. Well worth the $10 and about an hour of your time. Excels at presenting purses in context with great period accessories and well-done writeups. This is not just a "fashion" (or pop culture) museum, though certainly that is part of it, but one that should get you thinking, as a writeup for a concurrent art display notes, about how purses have long been part of their owners' personality and psyche. The only drawback is that the display ends with the 1990s. As we get farther from that decade, the exhibit begins to miss some important recent developments. I hope they can find the space and resources to curate that. But, still, it's well worth your time to explore it (and the funky little South Main neighborhood).

Kelly Heasley

I loved the purses and the museum! The whole place was wonderful!

susan williams

As an out-of-towner, I was very impressed with this little gem. So much more interesting that I imagined. Plus, the attached shop has some delightful items as well.

Donna Bradley

Wonderful collection and presentation of purses thru the decades. Special exhibits scheduled also. Staff was warm, friendly and knowledgeable. My first if many visits. LOVE my purses!!!

Netricka Wiggins

This place is amazing. The history was amazing as well. If you love history and purses, this is a must visit. There are also purses and accessories available for purchase. I'm glad I found out about this museum.

Tom Treweek

This is a fascinating little museum with interesting pieces and an engaging staff. The exhibit includes not only purses throughout the 20th century, but also anything that might be carried in a purse.

Wanda Burnell

Loved the displays..lots of history

Carmen Navarro

This place it’s just wonderful, Go don’t doubt about it 💖 …

Ellie Tyler

Everyone needs to go here. A wonderful exhibition that takes you through the lives of everyday women in history. The purses are amazing, both on display and for purchase.

Catherine Nowicki

This is the most amazing place. Definately worth the trip if you love fashion and history. The store is fabulous as well. A must!!! Dont miss it!!! PS The staff is friendly and knowledgeable too.

Jeremy Shapley

Awesome Purse/ handbag museum right on Main Street I never knew was there until a few days ago. Most amazing collection of purses ever..well worth a stop in.

David Miller

This is a fascinating museum. As a man, I was skeptical that it could be of interest, but it was in fact a museum celebrating American social history as exemplified by women's purses and the items carried therein.

Darla Morgan

This was so fun! Loved the exhibits and the staff was amazing! Fell in love with shop!

Jessica Fields

Really fun museum and shop. When we went there was an extra exhibit in the history if undergarments. I'd definitely recommend it (and I'm not really into purses).

Belinda Cole

What an amazing display of purses from 1900 to 1999. An outstanding collection and it is only 1/8 of the purse collection of one woman! I highly recommend it!

Lucy Humphrey

It was really neat! The purse collection was insane and the staff were really nice :)

J Barn (Mr. Kharn)

Absolutely awesome exhibit on purses over the last 100+ years, staff was friendly and even has a neat store attached.

Chuck Huggins

Small but unique and interesting.

John Paul Jones

A shinning beacon, of style, and accessories. I truly believe, it's one, amazing experience! Also, if you love bags, purses, and jewelry, you will LOVE, this place!

Abda Khan

It is one of the greatest places to visit. Highly recommend!

Robert Sholtis

Great stop for the family on vacation!

Princess Zena Boaz

Local & International travelers must see...

Ed Earle

Beautiful exhibits, exhibit descriptions/history very, very well written! Love the people! Love the shop in front.

Qiao Tang

So cool！

Ruth Wheeler

The purses were beautiful and brought back memories and lady that gave us a tour was very sweet

Savannah Mitchell

Very interesting museum, if you like purses you should definitely check it out!

Edie Thornton

Amazing store and museum, so cool to see all the purses both old and new.

Laura Lasiter

Just visited shop, not the museum. Don't know cost of museum visit.

Bryan Kristoffer de la Silva

This place is certainly interesting and informative. They also sell some unique goods.

Bonnie Marberry

Fabulous museum and shop! Painstakingly curated and beautifully displayed. Absolute heaven for a fashion historian!

Jerry Colburn

Great purse museum with lot of cultural paraphernalia on the side. Glad I went!

Stephonia Taylor Mclinn

Very unique place great display of all kinds of wonderful purses glad i when

Kathleen Wikstrom

Very interesting place, looking at history through the evolution of women's purses.

Lawrence Pilvelait

Okay musuem. Only women's things early 20th till present time

George Hemingway

Awesome experience! Great assembly of materials and historical data. Well worth the time.

Omkar Gawade

Good collection of purses from old to contemporary!

Brian Brown

Small, but well laid out. Very interesting at piece of American culture through a timeline

Julie Moylan

Very fun. Exhibit is well curated Lovely merchandise too.

Ryan Gay

Way more interesting than I thought it would be. Also bought a great bag from them.

Lori Zamora

This is such a unique place to see a different kind of art and history!! A must see!!

Kerri Cousins

Wonderful! Highly recommend! Great staff, excellent exhibits!!!

Shiwei Xu

I wouldn’t say it’s every girl’s dream, but at least it is mine to hold a collection and run a purse store like that…

Daniel Danielson

Small museum but with frequent changes to displays. Save your tickets for 1/2 off next time

Tracie Carter

Very nice establishment. I was big in awe the whole time I was there.

Almagul

Small museum & store, nice place for purse lovers

Steve Hollowell

Only went to the store for a jewelry sale. Interesting place.

Keely Richardson

A lovely collection of purses, acutrimnts, and womens history.

Moses Farr

Cute little purse museum!

Ric Lin

The surprise was not expecting such a wonderful display of hustory!

Shelly Gowan

Amazing!

Katherine Miles

Unique items and friendly staff. Loved it!

Patricia Jones

It's was a favorite store to visit.

Egypt Burton

There is alot of cool things inside😃 …

Marcey McDonald

Loved loved loved. Fashion and history! Great staff

Nathan Wilson

A Nice walk through history. It was interesting.

Natalie Nelson

A very cute place I had a nice visit

AMcLeod timetraveler3

Great concept, great purse displays

BJ Arnold

Amazing museum and gift shop.

NIKKI BOMBEK

Oooo so much to see and want.

Vicki Crawford

Interesting display of purses over the decades

Dale Wayne

Like new York comes to Little Rock

Roman Kiselev

Very interesting place!

Rajarajan Chellamuthu

Super nice people great place

Marcel Raymond

A must visit for both gender!

John Hedrick

Fascinating displays.

Jennifer Morris

A little gem of a museum! ❤

Bruce S

My wife gives it a 5

Cindy Franje

I absolutely loved it!

Dustin O. Williams

Really cool place.

Deanhofstedt

Very interesting!

Renee Knight

Best place EVER!

Donna Workman

Absolutely recommend

Marie Mat

Xinyue Cui

Samarth Patel

Jennifer Bryant

richard chao

Erin E

Kris Oxford-Vaughn

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