ESSE Museum & Store

MUSEUM & STORE IN LITTLE ROCK, AR

Visit the ESSE Purse Museum

WOMEN. HISTORY. PURSES. ART.

One of only two purse museums in the world — and a store built on the same idea: what a woman carries tells her story.

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Past Exhibits

See our past displays.

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FEATURED BAG

Show up to your next mahjong game with this Couture Planet bag

Couture Planet bags are made from 100% post-consumer newspaper. It’s possible to be eco-conscious and fashion forward with these statement making bags. Shop online or in-store.

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Title

What is ESSE Purse Museum

The name “ESSE” is derived from the Latin verb esse, meaning “to be.” In fact, esse is one of the oldest verb forms in the language, rooting words like “essential” and “essence.” At ESSE Purse Museum, one of only two purse museums in the world, the concept of being — the process and potential of existence — serves as a catalyst for honoring women and their stories. The interconnectedness of the female experience, and the trials and triumphs shared across generations of women, deserve to be acknowledged, preserved, and celebrated. Through handbags, personal objects, art and history, we explore those experiences and the women who lived them. It is women, all women, to whom we pay tribute.

What Does ESSE Purse Museum Do?

By gathering handbags, personal objects and artifacts from the 20th-century American woman, ESSE Purse Museum makes HERstory tangible and familiar. Often, it is the smallest details — the everyday objects and notes in the margins of history — that most vividly capture the female experience. Our museum takes visitors through the story of 20th-century women, decade by decade, to create a sense of nostalgia and connection. That mission continues in our carefully curated store, where we prioritize fair trade, independent makers and small, often women-owned businesses over fast fashion and mass production. From hand-woven textiles to handmade jewelry and accessories, the objects we share are chosen not only for what they are, but for the people, stories and craftsmanship behind them.

The Future of ESSE

As our world continues to change, ESSE Purse Museum continues to evolve. From our museum in Little Rock, Arkansas, to virtual exhibits and opportunities to connect with visitors from around the world, we remain focused on honoring women, preserving their stories and supporting the artists and makers whose work brings those stories to life. As one of only two purse museums in the world, ESSE offers a distinctive way to explore women’s history through the objects carried, used and treasured in everyday life. However the ways we share those stories may change, their importance does not. We are grateful for the continued support of our visitors, customers and community as ESSE grows and finds new ways to connect us through history.

01 / MUSEUM

Women. History. Purses.

ESSE telling 100 years of women's history through women and the purses they carried.

02 / STORE

Fair-trade, artisan-made

Handbags, jewelry, and gifts sourced from independent and women-owned makers — not fast fashion.

03 / PLACE

SoMa, Little Rock

Part of Little Rock's SoMa arts district — a stop for locals, tourists, and school and corporate groups alike.

FEATURED COLLECTION

Satchels

Satchels are the workhorses of a great bag collection — structured, roomy, and built to carry everything from a laptop to a life. Ours are handmade by independent makers and artisan collectives from around the world, so no two are quite alike. Browse ESSE's satchel collection and find the one that's ready for wherever your day takes you.

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Plan Your Visit

ESSE sits in the heart of Little Rock's SoMa arts district, a walkable stretch of local shops, galleries, and restaurants worth building a whole afternoon around.

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