Next stop on the Presidential Library tour was the William J Clinton library in Little Rock, Arkansas. For context, see this post — we were driving from Texas to Kentucky and Little Rock was a convenient overnight stop.
Little Rock itself is actually a fairly charming town – at least downtown. We had driven through some pretty rough areas of the state the previous evening, stopping at a BBQ joint outside of town and finding a smoke-filled dining room with a lot of “we don’t know you” stares.
Anyway, a few notes about the Clinton Museum to begin. Hours are from 9AM to 5PM Monday thru Saturday and 1PM-5PM on Sunday. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Free admission is also available on the following days–
- Presidents’ Day
- Fourth of July
- The Saturday before President Clinton’s birthday (Aug. 19)
- The Saturday before the Library’s grand opening anniversary (Nov. 18)
- On Veteran’s Day (only for active and retired military + families)
Admission is $10 for adults with $6-8 special rates. Children under 5 are free and activity duty military (member only) is free.
The museum is located on 1200 President Clinton Ave in Little Rock, overlooking the Arkansas river. It was a hot and sticky day as we drove up. Parking is free. Onsite, Forty Two restaurant is open for lunch each day from 11AM-2PM.
The museum, as all presidential museums, take a very kind look at the Clinton presidency and goes into little detail over the Monica Lewinsky scandal. I enjoyed the replica Roosevelt Room and exhibit on the 1990’s tech boom.
One other cool thing about the museum–the Clintons have a private apartment located above the museum that they still use when they are in town.
Here are some museum pictures:
CONCLUSION
You can get through this museum in a couple hours or spend a whole day going through the archives. It’s a must-see stop on any trip to Little Rock.
Trailer park in the sky as the locals call it. They also talk about the Clinton love nest apartment on the roof 🙂
Great reviews of presidential libraries so far. I thought I was the only one that enjoyed them. My favorite is Reagan’s Simi Valley with the Air Force One plane. The library seems average but the plane and location make up for a lot.
I assume your turning North now to hit Truman, Eisenhower and Hoover?
Have done George HW Bush and LBJ in Texas and need to write about that…and my first speeding ticket. Also recently visited Kennedy in Boston and will do a report on FDR in Hyde Park.
Also need to redo Reagan since I don’t have enough pictures and Nixon’s library in Yorba Linda just opened a new White House exhibit.
Will try to do some other midwest soon (Truman, Ike, Ford) and need to get to ATL to visit Carter library. Fun, fun!
“We had driven through some pretty rough areas of the state the previous evening, stopping at a BBQ joint outside of town and finding a smoke-filled dining room with a lot of “we don’t know you” stares.”
Oh come on, now. If I can avoid the “we don’t know you” stares, surely you can! 🙂 Although you missed out big time by not hitting up Lockhart Smokehouse in Plano on your way out of town.
I hope you were able to enjoy a meal at Forty Two. I once had a client in Little Rock, and we took them there for lunch on one visit. Delicious food, especially the pulled pork.
No meal at 42…blame John. His diet is very particular. But at least I dragged him to one BBQ place.
I certainly like the prices better at “42” over “Cafe 43.” 😉
I do love all these White House recreations though. Visual history is a lot easier to take.
Matthew, as a (somewhat begrudging) Arkansas resident, I’m happy to hear you had a good stop in my state. While even Arkies like me get the occasional “we-don’t-know-you” stare, the Natural State has a few gems. I’m glad you found one.
is Monica’s BLUE dress at the CLINTON Library???