Bill Clinton was the 42nd President of the United States (1993–2001), but before that he was born and raised in Arkansas. The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum is located in Little Rock, in a building that hangs over the Arkansas River.
The museum contains 2 million photographs and 79,000 artifacts, along with a full-scale replica of the Clinton-era Oval Office and Cabinet Room.
You can easily spend a half-day taking in all of that information. The first floor of the building houses Cadillac One.
The second floor houses 110-foot timelines for each year of Clinton’s presidency, putting into perspective current events and policies.
Bill Clinton was the president who brought America into the 21st century, the digital age, a time where technology would revolutionarily change the world. During his term in 1994 when the white house had its first website developed. You’ll pass by the Oklahoma City bombing and a push for peace in the Middle East. The 1992 Rodney King riots in Los Angeles and the end to the war in the Balkans.
Clinton is the most traveled president having visited 74 countries during his terms.
He took the most extensive tour of Africa in history for the head of state and created a special relationship with Nelson Mandela, a man who was the embodiment of two trends important to both of their countries: national reconciliation and racial harmony. There is a large alcove touching on the work of the first lady and even a small section dedicated to Al Gore, the Vice President.
Scandals of the administration such as Whitewater, Lewinsky, and the impeachment are briefly nodded to.
The museum exhibit designer said that this is the way the president wanted his legacy designed, he was heavily involved with its creation. The top floor of the museum delves into personal life, saxophones and family pictures, gifts to the president. Socks the cat, my favorite of the first pets, makes more than one appearance.
There are many pictures of Clinton in his youth and a lot of information about his early life was surprising.
His father died in a car accident before he was born, if his stepfather hadn’t adopted him his last name would have been Blythe. Life with his adopted father was far from ideal due to his battle with alcoholism.
After hours reading inside the museum, it is refreshing to explore the adjacent William E. “Bill” Clinton Presidential Park Wetlands. A surprising amount of wildlife was present, viewed from the extensive boardwalk trails.
Long gar fish circulated in the waters. Tons of turtles dabbled both in the water and on the land.
Canada geese and their chicks scurried about, spring was in the air during my visit.
Numerous barn swallows flitted in the air, and chattered on the railings.
You can extend your walk by crossing the 1899 Rock Island Railroad Bridge across the river connecting to North Little Rock, it is for pedestrians use only. It is a peaceful place of reflection to digest all of the information about a world leaders navigation through a unique point in history.
Good to know:
Admission is charged, but there are multiple discounts and free days the next of which is August 18, 2018 President Clinton’s birthday.