Clinton Presidential Museum and Library
Our historian, Dr Sondra Gordy. She loves Bill!
The William J Clinton Presidential Center and Park opened in 2004 at a cost of $165 million dollars in private funding and the donation of 28 acres by the city of Little Rock. As we have toured a few Presidential libraries on this journey, we have noticed that although there are many similarities, each library is forceful reminder of the president’s personality. The Clinton museum is no exception. President Clinton was a modern president. He promised to build a bridge for all Americans, and his library is designed to feel like a bridge spanning the Arkansas River. The building is Platinum LEED in alignment with his environmental principles and goals. The exhibit space is wide, open and full of natural light. He intended to have all his documents accessible to the public, and they are placed in blue holders throughout the exhibit hall. Unfortunately, someone tried stealing some documents so they are now behind plexiglass. This is why we can’t have nice things.
One of the best parts of visiting the museum was our informative and friendly docent, Dr. Sondra Gordy, retired professor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Dr. Gordy is a historian and author of the book Finding the Lost Year: What happened When Little Rock Closes Its Public Schools? ( https://www.uapress.com/product/finding-the-lost-year/ ) President Clinton brought the Little Rock Nine to the White House and awarded them Medals of Freedom. He also came back to Little Rock and opened the doors and let the Little Rock Nine come in and go out the door as a symbol of the end of segregation. Sondra Gordy’s book tells a tale I never knew. The Governor of Arkansas at the time not only refused entry to them, he also closed all public high schools in Little Rock for a year so that there would be no integration. I must read her book.
Outside the museum is a space dedicated to Anne Frank, with a sapling from the tree that was outside her window. The purpose is to keep her message alive and to acknowledge past wrongs in the hopes of improving the present and future.
The museum is well worth a visit. And, if you remember to buy a membership at the first Presidential library you visit, you can get in free to all the others.
Oval Office
President Clinton final resting spot is now under construction. The question: Will Hillary be buried next to Bill? They are not sure.
