Clinton Presidential Library and Museum – Little Rock, AR

Approaching the Clinton Library in Little Rock, AR, the first thing we noticed were two dinosaurs on either side the entrance. At first we had to look at the building to make sure we were in the right place. And yes, we were at the Clinton Library.

During Clinton’s term, he worked to preserve the fossil-rich areas of North America. These are areas where dinosaurs roamed many centuries ago. Clinton was not the first president to realize our fossil history. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, and Dwight D. Eisenhower also worked to preserve America’s fossil rich history. In 1996, President Clinton designated the Grand Staircase-Escalante a National Monument.

One of the exhibits, a dinosaur skull replica, comes from the Grand Staircase-Escalante area. So this was a traveling exhibit of dinosaur fossils along with educational displays about both dinosaurs and the National Monument areas.

During his term, President Clinton injured his knee playing golf. Many walking canes were sent to him while he recuperated. The replica of the oval office has two of those walking canes on display. Among the other items on display are the various saxophones given to the president.

Walking Canes

One of the more interesting and unique pieces of the permanent collection is the glass tree by Dale Chihuly. He is credited with moving glass works from craft to fine art.

Glass Tree Sculpture

The Presidential Timeline could be called a walk down memory lane using modern technology. The exhibit is divided into the years of the Clinton presidency. Each year’s exhibit contains pictures and text of important events. The timeline also contains the president’s daily schedule of the nearly 3,000 days of his term. On the opposite side of the timeline are touchscreens. Here you can view the daily schedules along with various correspondence received by President Clinton.

Our visit to the Clinton Library spanned from the Dinosaur Age to the Modern Age of Technology. It was an interesting walk through time and down memory lane.

As with many things in life, there is irony. Our guide made the point of saying the Clinton White House was the first to use email! What an interesting paradox with the problems Hillary is having because of her “home email server” as she runs for president.