We stopped for two nights in Little Rock, AR. This was my first time in Arkansas. We had an awesome site at the North Little Rock Downtown Riverside RV Park! While it was extremely hot and humid during our stay, we enjoyed the water views with multiple bridges. After sunset it was fairly pleasant outside-although still more humid that we like.
From our front window we watched this tug guide quite a load down the Arkansas River.
The Clinton Presidential Center is the FIRST Presidential Library we’ve visited. I had never considered checking out any Presidential Libraries before, but after talking with some people who have been to quite a few, we thought it might be fun to start incorporating visits to them as our travels permit. So, instead of having Little Rock as a quick overnight travel stop, we planned for two nights so we could take our time at the Presidential Center. It was pretty neat that we could see it across the river from the RV park. We thought about riding our bikes over, but we’d be out in the heat of the day, so drove. We saved the bridge bike ride for after dinner.
The Presidential Center is part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. On the way from the parking lot to the Presidential Center was this tribute/memorial to Anne Frank and the holocaust. It is important to NOT let this horrific treatment of mankind be forgotten or even deny it happened!
Etched in the glass panel on the left:
“From my favorite spot on the floor, I look up at the blue sky and the bare chestnut tree on whose branches little raindrops shine, appearing like silver, and at the seagulls and other birds as they glide on n the wind…As long as this exists, I thought, and I may live to see it, this sunshine, the cloudless skies, while this lasts, I cannot be unhappy.”
Anne Frank, from a diary entry in 1944
Etched in the glass on the right:
“But let us never forget, the greatest progress we have made, and the greatest progress we have yet to make, is in the human heart. In the end, all the world’s wealth and a thousand armies are no match for the strength of the human heart.”
President William Jefferson Clinton, Second Inaugural Speech
“People have been manipulated and dehumanized through human history by people who had no soul, but knew wealth.”
President Bill Clinton
The three rear glass panels convey the complex history of human rights in Arkansas through descriptions of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, and the Little Rock Central High School desegregation crisis of 1957. The etched quotes are from Chief Heckaton, hereditary chief of the Quapaw during Arkansas’s Indian Removal; George Takei, Japanese-American actor who was interned at the Rohwer Relocation Center in Desha County, Arkansas, in 1942; and Melba Patillo Beals, member of the Little Rock Nine. I tried to find the quotes from these three online but had no luck.
Views from the pedestrian bridge:
The top of the Presidential Center is the residence for President Clinton, Hillary and Chelsea anytime they are in town! You can see in the photo below that it apparently has a roof top garden/park like area. Wonder if there is a swimming pool? It makes sense that they made a residence for the Clintons right here since they attend events at the center and park, and the Secret Service are familiar with the building and the park.
The Long Room at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland was the inspiration for the design of the Clinton Presidential Center.
The “book stacks” are blue boxes.
The White House Cabinet Room (replica)
Do you know where the President sits? Why do you think the place/chair you identified is correct?
(The President sits in the highest chair that also centers between the the U.S. flag and the flag of the President that are against the wall behind him.)
Exact replica of the Oval Office as it was during the Clinton years.
The President will be with you shortly. She had to take an important phone call.
The Resolute Desk:
The first floor is a timeline that displays events and issues that occurred throughout Clinton’s eight years as President. The second floor included more personal items and gifts to the Clintons.
Church arson becomes a federal crime:
Whitewater Investigation: No evidence of wrong doing! Another waste of American tax payer monies.
World Leader Nesting Dolls!
In decreasing size order: William Jefferson Clinton, George Bush, Boris Yeltsin, Mikhail Gorbachev, Helmut Kohl, John Major, Margaret Thatcher, Francois Mitterand, and Saddam Hussein
There were several saxophones on display that were gifted to President Clinton, but what I thought was really cool was this statue of Clinton playing a saxophone! Carlos Aguilar Linares (Mexico) is the artist who created this unique statue and gifted it to President Clinton.
On the first day living in the White House, the Clinton invited more than 3,000 Americans, and shook hands with every single one! They were determined to invite more people than ever before to experience the history and beauty of the White House and the best of American culture.
Over the eight years, millions of Americans came to the White House – to enjoy picnics on the South Lawn, watch the arrivals of visiting heads of state, tour the White House, or attend thousands of other events that celebrated our nation’s diversity. The Clintons expanded the Easter Egg Roll so that more children could take part, and they created a St. Patrick’s Day celebration to bring people together for peace. One year they turned the Congressional and press picnics into old-fashioned carnivals. And every year, thousands came to see the huge Christmas tree or to celebrate Chanukah, Ramadan, and Kwanzaa.
Sports were a big part of the White House life during the Clinton years. President Clinton was a huge fan of basketball, ping pong, and especially golf. He played golf with Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and other golf legends. Championship teams were invited to the White House.
Christmas Themes:
Temporary BONUS Exhibit!!
A SPECIAL EXHIBITION – OUTSIDE (Through August 1, 2022)
COOL GLOBES: HOT IDEAS FOR A COOLER PLANET
The collection of globes present solutions for climate change. The message of the exhibit is that we can solve this if we begin by educating ourselves to choices we each make daily that DO matter. Then it is our duty to help educate others and even get involved with helping to get businesses (big and small) to do what is right for a healthy environment with healthier people. The colorful globes were placed around the Clinton Presidential Park. Each was created by a different artist.
“Carpool” – Artist: Cheryl Steiger
Share a Ride–Want less traffic? Use fewer cars! Commuting Americans have so much extra room in their 140 million cars that everyone here could give everyone in Europe a ride. If ever car carried just one more passenger on its daily commute, 32 million gallons of gasoline and 600 million pounds of carbon dioxide would be saved each day. Can YOU join a carpool with at least one other person?
“Tree of Life” – Artist: Kim C. Massey
Protect Green Spaces – Under the Clinton Administration, the National Landscape Conservation System was developed, organizing the Bureau of Land Management’s protected lands, designed to connect larger landscapes and their ecosystems. It is important to have our leaders continue to support protection of our Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study Areas, National Conservation Areas, National Monuments, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and National Scenic and Historic Trails!
“Drawing a Line on Climate Change” – Artist:Thom Cicchelli
Doing laundry may be a chore, but conscientious cleaners can feel good by avoiding excessive energy use on wash day. As much as 90% of the power that a washing machine requires goes toward heating the water. Simply switching from hot to warm water means using only half as much energy; cold water yields even better results. For drying, hanging clothes is ideal because dryer uses more energy than virtually any other home appliance.
“Green Investing” – Artist: Olivier Bernex
Businesses that are cleaning up are greening up! Good environmental practices are good for the bottom line.
“LED Lighting” – Artist Brad Gonyer
Shine bright with LED bulbs. LED bulbs are bright, efficient and long lasting. LEDs emit light in a specific direction, reducing the need for reflectors and diffusers that can trap light. This makes LEDs more efficient for things like recessed down-lights, and task lighting. LEDs emit very little heat. In comparison, incandescent bulbs release 90% of their energy as heat, and compact fluorescent bulbs release about 80% of their energy as heat.
“Mighty Methane” – Artist: Joi Leo
Landfill Gas Energy – Can we turn garbage into gold? An enormous amount of garbage ends up in landfills, where it decomposes, producing methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Landfills are one of the largest human-generated sources of methane emission in the U.S. But methane doesn’t need to go to waste. Methane from landfills can be captured and burned to produce electricity, preventing the release of this greenhouse gas. Waste not, want not!
“Earth: The Nectar of Life” – Artist: Laresha Diaz
Bee Mindful – If honeybees were to decline in population, our agriculture would struggle, too. One out of every three bites of food in the U.S. depends on honeybees and other pollinators. Honeybees pollinate $15 billion worth of crops each year.
Individuals can help by buying locally-grown, organic products that avoid using pesticides; planting pollinator-friendly plants in yards and community gardens; asking local governments to plant pollinator-friendly plants and to stop using pesticides along roadsides; and helping to educate and inspire others.
Just as bees work together in a hive to create honey, we must all work together on solutions to save our future.
“Recycled Evolution” – Artist: Bryan Sperry
Commercial Recycling – Approximately 35-45% of discarded waste in the U.S. is generated by businesses! A good part of this waste can be reduced, recycled, and reused. Even construction materials like concrete, asphalt, dirt, rock, and metal can be recycled.
“Insight” – Artist: Prinn Vandegrift
Refocus – This globe was transformed into an eye to symbolize our need to refocus on our planet. The artwork reminds us of the importance of protecting the health of our world and its resources.
“Non-Electric Play” – Artist: Francis W Parker School students and faculty
Unplugged Fun – Getting outside and playing catch is not only good for the health of our children, it is good for the health of the planet. Enjoy non-electric indoor play such as board games, puzzles, cooking, reading and craft projects. Take a pass on playing Fortnight to build a fort! When fun is unplugged, kids and adults alike will get more exercise and become more creative, and make great memories while reducing their carbon footprint.
“Drop By Drop” – Artist: Mirjana Ugrinov
Conserve Water – What warms the globe as it runs down your drain? The 300-400 gallons of water that an average American family uses every day! Power plants emitting greenhouse gas pollution are working every time you turn on the tap by using electricity to extract, transport, purify and distribute the water. You can reduce water usage by fixing leaky faucets and hoses, and by replacing shower heads, toilets, and aerators with water-saver models.
Living in Vinny we know we definitely do not use nearly that much water. Our fresh water tank is 100 gallons and we have to make that last a for several days to a full week or longer. It really isn’t that hard to do. Become aware of when you let water just run and run, and instead start shutting if off till you need it. That fairly simple effort is actually HUGE for water conservation!
“Warm Up: Wear a Sweater” – Artist: Lindsay Obermeyer
Adjust the Thermostat – Places can get hot, but don’t be afraid to ask restaurant, theater, or office managers to turn down the air conditioning. Commercial building consume about 1/5 of all energy used in the U.S. and up to 1/3 of that is for air conditioning. Half the energy used in your home runs your heating and cooling systems. You can curb greenhouse gas by simply adjusting your thermostat. Try setting the temperature at 68 or lower in the winter, and 78 or higher in the summer. Programmable thermostats allow you to regulate temperature to conserve energy when you are asleep or away.
“Mindfulness” – Artist for Humanity Artists
Arkansas and the local Little Rock community could experience twice as many extreme heat days per year – days where the highs reach above 95 degree Fahrenheit. By 2100, summers will be 4.6 degrees hotter than 2014 temps. In addition, the state could see more severe storms, which could cause flooding and reduce crop yields. Understanding the risks helps empower you to make mindful choice when it comes to daily living. Every action we take has an impact on the planet. Be mindful of the choices you make.
“Souvenir” – Artist: Constance Mallinson
Protect Our Heritage Forests – There are over 580 million acres of heritage forest stretching across 39 states. “Souvenir” comes from the French word, “to remember”. The artist of this globe illustrates Earth’s beauty as well as its delicate ecosystems and the animals that inhabit them. All is worth remembering and protecting.
“Earth Is In Our Hands” – Artist: Yakoi Yoo (Sara Mohammed)
Plant a Tree – Trees have many incredible characteristics. They are not only beautiful, but have a profound impact on our day-to-day lives. Tree shade cuts down the need for air conditioning, and tree trunks and foliage help create a wind barrier for your home. Trees keep the topsoil from eroding, which provides a stable foundation for houses. Trees absorb globe-warming carbon dioxide from the air. It takes approximately 10 trees to absorb the average American’s emissions produced through daily activities. Help plant trees in your community for a healthier environment.
“First We Scream, Then We Act” – Artist: Nancy L Steinmeyer
Get Involved – Climate change is a problem without an easy solution. “The scream” view (on the left) represents the planet calling out for help. The iconic “I WANT YOU” poster image (on the right) was designed to inspire us to act. Before you can help confront climate change, it’s important to get educated on the issue. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
I hope you enjoyed these creative art works. I love unexpectedly coming across things like this!
A PLEASANT TREAT ALONG THE RIVERFRONT
After dinner, Barry and I biked over the Clinton Presidential Pedestrian/bike bridge that leads directly to Clinton Presidential Park. It couldn’t have been any more convenient to the RV park where we were!
Approaching sunset, the sun began to paint a beautiful canvas of color in the sky. What a great reflection on the Arkansas River, but we were soon pleasantly surprised with the addition of color-changing lights on the bridges on both sides of us!
This is the Clinton Presidential Pedestrian Bridge – view from the RV park looking to the left.
The vehicle bridge – view from the RV park looking to the right.
Video of the bridge lights changing: