The Washington County Historical Society (WCHS) was founded in 1951 with the mission to discover, preserve, and celebrate the history of Washington County, Arkansas, and to share that heritage with others. The WCHS maintains three local historic properties including Headquarters House Museum, built by the Tebbetts family in 1853 and acquired by the society in 1960. During the Civil War, it served as military headquarters at different times by both Union and Confederate forces. It now serves as WCHS headquarters and is operated as a period museum.
Other historic WCHS properties include the Law Office of Gov. Archibald Yell and the Ridge House, considered to be the oldest standing house in Fayetteville. Surrounding Headquarters House are gardens established by the Tebbetts and today are maintained according to the family’s pre-Civil War original plan by the Washington County Master Gardeners.