April 7, 2022
THE WILLIAM J. CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM
1200 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201
“The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum is the presidential library of Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States.” - Wikipedia
Once I decided Little Rock would be on my route, I knew I had to visit the Clinton Library. Bill Clinton was the first presidential candidate for whom I actively campaigned who subsequently won, so I guess he holds a special place in my heart. When Clinton was re-nominated at the 1996 Democratic Convention, he was introduced as “the bridge to the future,” a campaign slogan that stuck. The bridge theme is carried out in the exterior appearance of the Library which sits aside the Arkansas River.
Inside, a tour of the museum starts with a 20-minute orientation video, narrated by President Clinton. An eight-panel timeline, running the length of the museum’s first floor, highlights each year Clinton was in office. On each side of the timeline are cubicles touting his accomplishments in different areas such as education, the economy, and world relations. Throughout the museum First Lady Hillary is shown to be an integral part of his presidency. The second floor has mementos of life in the White House, including gifts the couple received, a sample table set for a state dinner, and (my favorite) a Chihuly Christmas Tree. Finally, you get a glimpse into the Oval Office. For some reason, photography was not allowed in that exhibit.
I really enjoyed my visit to the Clinton Museum.
The Arkansas River runs next to the Library.
This old railroad bridge across the Arkansas River has been converted to a pedestrian bridge. It is owned by the Library.
A view of the the park outside the library. As you can see in the background there is much construction going on in the area, most attributed to the Clinton Library being built in this spot.
Clinton's Presidential Limousine.
A door leading into the Cabinet Room.
The Cabinet Room
“The Museum displays 4,536 blue boxes containing presidential records from the White House Office of Agency Liaison. The Office of Agency Liaison falls under the Department of Presidential Correspondence which is part of the Office of the Staff Secretary. The Office of Agency Liaison assists members of the public who request help from the President or First Lady in resolving a problem. The office refers many requests to established contacts in federal agencies or with private-sector organizations, depending on the nature of the request. The records in these blue boxes represent approximately 2-3% of the entire Clinton Library archival collection which we estimate at approximately 80 million pages.”
Cubical on the economy.
Pages from one of his State of the Union speeches.
Loved this picture of Clinton signing the Brady Bill into law.
Cubicle on education.
Cubicle on the First Lady.
The timeline panels.
A view of the timeline from the second floor.
Model of a table set for a state dinner.
The Clinton China.
Saxophones that were gifts to the President.
The Christmas tree designed and gifted by Dale Chihuly.
A report written by Hillary in elementary school stating she wanted to be either a teacher or a nuclear physics scientist.
Campaign button from '96. I think I may have had the one on the top row, just right of center proclaiming the NEA for Clinton.
Also loved this photograph of the living presidents and first ladies when taken at the Bush Library Dedication.