The Clinton Presidential Center & Park in Little Rock, Arkansas, was opened in 2004 by the William J. Clinton Foundation. It’s a new major attraction in Arkansas that draws many visitors to Little Rock. With this new attraction, the small town of Little Rock thrived again. Hotels, restaurants and retail outlets were built, even the River Market District in Little Rock was revived.
The William J. Clinton Presidential Center houses one of the largest archival collections in American presidential history and offers an exciting and educational experience for visitors of all ages.
According to ehuacom, the Clinton Presidential Center is located on an area of 17 hectares. It includes the Clinton Presidential Library, the offices of the Bill Clinton Foundation, and the University of Arkansas – Clinton School of Public Service.
The largest part of the Clinton Presidential Center complex is occupied by the Presidential Library of Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the USA.
The building complex was designed by the architects James Polshek and Richard Olcott. It should be made of lots of steel and glass. In addition, a bridge should lead into the 21st century, for this purpose a glass construction was placed in the facility, a bridge that leads over the Arkansas River.
Originally, the museum building was supposed to be built parallel to the Arkansas River, but that was changed. It is now perpendicular to the river, giving the visitor a better view of the site.
The Clinton Presidential Center features 20,000 square meters of exhibition space, the chronicle of American history and the large Bill Clinton Library. Here you will find approximately 2 million photographs, 80 million pages of books and documents, 21 million emails, and 80,000 gifts or other items from Clinton’s presidency.
Interactive exhibits, such as a reconstruction of the White House Cabinet Room and a faithful replica of the Oval Office, give visitors a glimpse into the life of the 42nd President of America, Bill Clinton.
Individual political niches and a timeline with videos show the time when Bill Clinton ruled America. Many events are offered throughout the year at the Clinton Presidential Center.
History Clinton Presidential Park & Library
Planning for the library began as early as 1997, and early cost estimates were around $125 million. In the end, the entire project cost $165 million
On November 18, 2004, the Clinton Presidential Center was officially opened. Four US Presidents were present: Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, George HW Bush and George W. Bush.
Bill Clinton Presidential Park in Arkansas
Clinton Presidential Park is located on the riverfront adjacent to the museum and covers approximately 30 acres. The park was built adjacent to the site of the abandoned Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad railroad tracks.
At the center of the park is the Celebration Circle, a fountain square. Clinton Presidential Park also features an arboretum, an amphitheater, beautiful gardens and a children’s playground.
Plan your visit to the Clinton Presidential Center and Park
There is much to explore when visiting Clinton Presidential Park. On 20,000 square meters you will find a museum with exhibition space, surrounding a 30-acre park along the Arkansas River, the restaurant Forty Two, the Clinton Museum Store and much more.
A little tip: take a stroll through the museum with President Clinton. All you have to do is buy an audio tour and Bill Clinton will guide you through the museum.
Three free tours are offered each day for visitors to the Clinton Presidential Center. No reservation is required. The tours take place at 9.30 am, 11.30 am and 1.30 am.
Exhibits at the Bill Clinton Center in Little Rock
The Clinton Museum and Library have numerous items from Clinton’s tenure as President of the United States. Here you will find approximately 2 million photographs, 80 million pages of books and documents, 21 million emails, and 80,000 gifts or other items from Clinton’s presidency.
Clinton’s famous Cadillac One is on the first floor of the main building. The second floor includes the main gallery with the timeline, political booths, and other exhibits related to Clinton’s family, including Clinton’s saxophone.
There is a full-scale replica of the Oval Office and Cabinet Room on display. A 12-minute film provides insight into President Clinton’s life and political career.
Permanent exhibits at the Bill Clinton Presidential Center
The Campaign
The exhibition “The Campaign” shows how Bill Clinton became President of the USA in 1992. He was elected at a time of economic hardship, social division and a deep yearning for change and hope.
On election night, Clinton received 370 votes to Bush’s 168 votes. The man of hope won 33 states and the presidency of the United States.
Inauguration
The Inauguration exhibit shows visitors President Clinton after the election. It shows Bill Clinton addressing nearly a million people about the coming changes.
The Vice President Al Gore
The exhibition “The Vice President” is, as the name suggests, about Al Gore, who was Vice President during Bill Clinton’s administration. Al Gore set new standards for the vice presidency.
White House at Work
In the exhibition “White House at Work” the visitor is brought closer to the work in the White House. Especially the members of the White House, who reflect the diversity of America with their different professions.
Cabinet Room
A full replica of the White House Cabinet is available for visitors to view here. Bill Clinton always sat in the highest chair, with the brass plate “The President”.
Selected portraits of Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt hang on the walls of the Cabinet Room.
Statistical Portraits
The Statistical Portraits exhibition presents facts and figures from the presidency of Bill Clinton. It shows the magnitude of many actions and decisions taken by President Clinton.
Politics Alcove
Here the visitor finds the center of the museum with its many historical documents and multimedia exhibits. Towering pillars are used as bookshelves for nearly 5,000 archive boxes. Each niche focuses on a major policy area.
Timeline
The Timeline exhibition presents the most important events and highlights of the Clinton presidency with short videos. It begins with Clinton’s 1993 inaugural address.
Life in the White House
Exhibits in the Life in the White House exhibit invite visitors to the Clinton Presidential Center to participate in life in the White House. Much is shown here about Bill Clinton’s life with his family. His passion for music – Clinton’s saxophone, his early interest in politics and public service, his love of westerns and his dreams are shown to the visitor.
Oval Office
An original replica of the Oval Office gives every visitor the feeling of being president himself. It is furnished as it looked when Bill Clinton was in office.
Biography Exhibitions
This exhibition takes the visitor through the phases of Bill Clinton’s youth and provides an insight into his campaigns for Congress, the Attorney General and the Governor.
Clinton Museum Store des Clinton Presidential Centers
The Clinton Museum Store offers a diverse selection of souvenirs and gifts, President Clinton’s favorite books, contemporary American arts and crafts and a wide selection of specialty products from around the world. The Museum Store is located one block from the Clinton Presidential Center. A shuttle provides free round-trip transportation from the Clinton Presidential Center to the museum store.
Opening times & admission to the William J. Clinton Presidential Center & Park
The William J. Clinton Presidential Center & Park is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Fridays, however, the Clinton Presidential Center is only open from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed only on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and $3 for youth (as of 2014).
Every year, when President Bill Clinton celebrates his birthday on the Fourth of July, admission to the Clinton Presidential Center is free.
Directions & Getting to the Clinton Presidential Center & Park
The Clinton Presidential Center is located off Interstate 30, exit 141A, about 10 minutes’ drive from Little Rock National Airport. There is free on-site parking and a shuttle service to the Clinton Museum Store.
The Clinton Museum Store from the Clinton Presidential Center is located at 610 President Clinton Avenue.
Address for attraction William J. Clinton Presidential Center & Park
William J. Clinton Presidential Center & Park
1200 President Clinton Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72201
Vereinigte Staaten
//www.clintonfoundation.org/clinton-presidential-center
