
Courtesy of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
November marks the 20th anniversary of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum in Little Rock. Administered by the National Archives, it’s also home to the Arkansas offices of the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton School of Public Service. In addition to exhibits, the library hosts special events, educational programs, and a lecture series, all through the lens of the 42nd president’s work. The building itself, designed by architect James Polshek and cantilevered 150 feet toward the Arkansas River, serves as a metaphor for how the Clinton administration bridged the industrial and information ages. “It really is an important cultural anchor for the city,” Barth says.

Courtesy of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Must-See Exhibits
“The 1990s had some pretty amazing public policy stories and debates, and a lot of folks are really drawn to remembering how that affected their lives. We have some great video content showcasing the humor of the president. And there is an exact recreation of the Oval Office during the Clinton years. From now through March 23, there’s a temporary exhibit called Commanding the Screen: The American Presidency in Film and on Television, with some cool stuff like Daniel Day Lewis’s costumes and top hat from Lincoln.”
Gifts of State
“The gift store has everything, from Clinton-Gore campaign gear to books and collectibles. Items featuring Buddy and Socks, the presidential pets, are always popular, especially Socks socks. The annual holiday ornament is something I particularly look forward to.”

Courtesy of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Building Bridges
“The library is a collaborative effort with the National Archives, but the architect is the choice of the Foundation. Clinton was very engaged in choosing the architect and site. He wanted to make a difference in terms of economic change and renewal, and he had a desire to use the river in a thoughtful way. Little Rock has six bridges across the river, and if you look at the building, it has elements of a bridge. Clinton’s 1996 campaign slogan was that he was building a bridge to the 21st century, so bridge imagery is very much front and center.”

Courtesy of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Dinner with a View
“The restaurant, 42 Bar and Table is a little more high-end than the restaurants at most presidential libraries. It’s one of the best outdoor venues on the river and really a beautiful space. Chef Andre Poirot is European but spent a lot of years in New Orleans, so there’s a nod to that cuisine on the menu. The salmon salad is amazing.”
More to Explore
“The Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, the site of the desegregation of Central High in 1957, remains a working school. It’s a beautiful building, and there’s a very nice museum across the street. The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts reopened about a year ago with an inspired reimagining by architect Jeanne Gang out of Chicago. I really recommend it, especially the works on paper.”
This article appears in the Fall 2024 issue of Southbound.