A Little Bit of History!

So after living in downtown Little Rock, a mere 3 miles or so from the Clinton Presidential Library, I finally made the small journey there yesterday. I say journey because walking in the heat was horribly uncomfortable! I plan to go again when it is a little cooler and a lot less crowded! They offer free admission on days like Independence Day, President Clinton's Birthday, and Presidents Day so I thought I would take advantage! And I'm very glad I did!

(Photo taken from http://www.clintonlibrary.gov/jjohnson/Clinton_Library_Panoramic.jpg. I couldn't get a good shot of the whole area!)

I love learning about history. Maybe not so much as to be tested over it... but I really think its cool! Seeing old artifacts and clothing puts me in awe! I loved traveling to D.C. in 6th grade and getting to experience all the museums and historical sites! I hope to be able to go again now that I'm older. I wish we had more places like that around here!

When you enter the facility and have made it through security (which is nothing like airport security,  thank goodness!) there is hurricane simulator that I couldn't wait to try! You get to experience 78 mph winds which is only a Category 1 storm.. but I was able to keep both feet on the ground! The younger boy in line behind me didn't want to go by himself and his mom was going to video tape, so I offered to go with him since I was alone and wanted a picture! He was very sweet. His mom said that even the tips of his hair were moving around in the wind!

After the simulator, I checked in at the Special Services desk to pick up my hand held audio tour guide. Bill Clinton walks you through each of the exhibits and you can view them at your own pace and in whatever order you please! Anyone who knows me though knows that I have to go in sequential order so I started at 1 and ended at 30! The orientation is a must for anyone that visits. Its a 12 minute video of Clinton's history starting in Hope, AR through his time as President. Very interesting. He was very captivating and I loved listening to his story... and I'm very much a Republican! I then proceeded to walk through the rest of the very crowed exhibit listening to President Clinton talk about each of the exhibits. While the 2nd level was certainly good, it pertained more to the political aspects of his presidency. In ins and outs of how the country was run with him in office. The 3rd level was my favorite! It showed the Clinton's as people - what they wore to State dinners, some of the decor used of offices and holidays and such. That's the kind of stuff I like! And they even have a scaled replica of the Oval Office! Who wouldn't want to take a stroll through there! I only wish I could have taken a seat at the desk! A couple snagged me to snap their picture and then graciously offered to take mine. So glad they did! Hope you enjoy some of the pictures I'm leaving you with. I wish there wasn't such a glare but with all glass window and the sun brightly shinning, it wasn't easy to get a decent shot!

Oh! And they also have a small exhibit that changes throughout the season. Remember the hurricane simulator? It preceded an exhibit that featured many artifacts gathered from Hurricane Katrina. Very cool! It's only around until Sept. 6 so you should check it out! It also has some general information about hurricanes and tropical storms. But I really like the artifacts :o) Being around them makes me feel like I'm a part of the history!

Now for the pictures....

This conference table has interactive screens that let you peek at some of the important issues tackled by Clinton during his time in office!

Letters To/From JFK! I love the Kennedy family!

Nolan Richardson and the 1994 Razorbacks wrote to the President!






Overall, very cool day! I can't wait to go back! Lewis and I run past it all the time but now I can say I've been in. And they have an outdoor cafe I'd like to hit up sometime too!