Western Swing 2013 - 3 - In Little Rock

Today was the Saturday before Memorial Day. Traditionally, Memorial Day is the time to remember those who died in service to the Country. It's also a good time to expand on that theme and pause to remember those who have preceded us in death and to also look at some aspects of our history. It's a good day to be in Little Rock because this is where the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum are located.

Byron’s first visit to a presidential library and museum was the one set aside for Lyndon Johnson, who was president during the time of the Vietnam War. That was also the time Byron was eligible to be drafted and the time of great civil rights activity in the country. Therefore, he didn't have a real “passion” for paying a visit to anything “Johnson”. However, after going through the edifice in Austin, he soon changed his mind because he learned that the museum are really about American history during the time that the particular president was in office. As far as he was concerned, that put things in a different light. In reality, however, Byron was reminded of a lot of history that he had lived through as a high school and college student. He came away with a new-found respect for Johnson as well as an expansion in his understanding of American History from 1963 through 1968. Martha, of course, was much to young to remember much about the Johnson era.

The Clinton Library is an interesting structure; it’s a cantilevered construction of glass and steel. The lobby area and the second and third floors are open to the public. The lines are straight and nothing particularly interesting catches the eye, though there is a “green roof” complete with a lawn and interesting plantings.

The William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library and Museum

The library and museum is a part of the National Archives and Records Administration system. At present, there are 14 such facilities. The Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, which we visited last year, is not a part of that system mainly because the NARA was yet to be established (1955).

The permanent exhibits tell a story of the Clinton Presidency. They feature the campaign, inauguration, and special policy sections that highlight the work of the President, including that of the First Lady and Vice President Al Gore. The exhibits are a historical walkway of the Clinton Presidency through photographs, video clips and numerous artifacts.

In the lobby is a simple exhibit regarding the work of the Secret Service. The focal point of the exhibit is the 1994 presidential limousine. Next to that was a room with the jazz photographs, which was interesting in it’s own right.

On the second floor is where visitors view the video overview narrated by Clinton himself. He begins with his great interest in music and his even greater passion for politics. From there it moves through some facts about serving in Arkansas. Neither of us were particularly aware that he had served Arkansas for a total of five terms. Four years separated his first and second terms. That made him the youngest governor and the youngest ex-governor.

After leaving the video we moved into the exhibit area on the second floor. This included a full-size replica of the Cabinet Room where guests are welcome to sit during a brief presentation by a guide. The remaining area was actually a collection of u-shaped alcoves separated by library shelving and archival boxes. Each one, approximately sixteen in all, serve as the focus of attention regarding one aspect of the Clinton presidency. Actually, about half are made up of two alcoves and the others are individual areas since the displays don't demand more space. One of the areas was about technology during the Clinton years (1993-2000). One photo Byron “had to get” was of the two Macintosh computers on display; the “Classic” and the second-generation iMac, which is fondly referred to as “lampshade.”

Macintosh Classic and iMac -- the only two computers displayed

in the technology alcove.

From there we went to the third floor. The central area on that floor is an exact replica of the Oval Office as it was structured during the Clinton years. What we didn't know was that there is a presidential seal on the ceiling. Visitors, however, are only allowed to look into the room through the four doors.

The Clinton version of the Oval Office. Busts of other presidents

are dotted around the room on furniture and shelves.

There were also two, temporary exhibits on view. One was entitled “Jazz: Through the Eyes of Herman Leonard.” It featured over 40 large-scale photographs of famous jazz performers from the 1940s and 1950s as well as a few instruments and other artifacts. The fashion exhibition celebrates the world-renowned work of designer Oscar de la Renta. The exhibit features more than thirty of his creations worn by pacesetters of style, from First Ladies to Hollywood’s brightest stars.

One of our favorite photos was taken in the last year of Clinton's administration. It show him at the Oklahoma City National Memorial, which we visited last year. It still causes a sense of awe and sadness to grip us when we think of that horrible tragedy. Clinton visited on April 19, 2000 to mark the fifth anniversary of the event.

President Clinton visiting the OKC National Memorial on

April 19, 2000.

An interesting aspect of the museum is that it presents the Presidency in a positive manner. As it particularly relates to Clinton, there is little space given to any mention of Monica Lewensky. There really was no need for this because the library and museum are more about the history of our country during that era rather than about the person, himself. The feature of that alcove is about the impeachment effort which, in spite of the moral issue, was more about Republican/Democrat politics than anything else.

Across the way from the library and museum is a restored railway passenger station that was built to serve the Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf railway. It is now home to the Clinton School of Public Service of the University of Arkansas. Immediately north of the station is another pedestrian bridge (we have counted at least three such bridges) that also served the CO&G. The railroad had operations from Memphis to Oklahoma City. In 1904 the line was involved in a hostile takeover by the Rock Island Line.

Before leaving the city area we drove past Central High School, which became a place of focus in the civil rights movement in September 1957. Byron remembers watching “live coverage” on TV as the Arkansas Nation Guard turned away nine students. The building is now a National Historic Site of the National Park Service though it continues to be an operating high school serving more than 2,000 students. To tour the school one needs to make reservations.

Day Three ended with dinner at Cock of the Walk and a visit to a Walmart for a few groceries. Tomorrow we head for Oklahoma City after attending a nearby church for worship.

By the way, if you want to know more about the presidential libraries, check out Presidential Libraries: History Uncovered developed and managed by C-SPAN.