LRCVB Announces 10-Day Celebration Of Clinton Library’s 10th Anniversary

A 10-day citywide celebration is being planned to observe the 10th anniversary of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library. The Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB) says events will take place Nov. 9-18.

Nov. 18 will mark the decennial of the Library, which opened in 2004. The opening of the Clinton Center (Clinton Presidential Library, University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service and the Clinton Presidential Park) has forever changed the landscape of Little Rock, and was undoubtedly the catalyst that has propelled more than $2.5 billion in economic development to the Central Arkansas area.

“The 2004 opening of the Clinton Presidential Center put Little Rock on the map as a true visitor destination,” LRCVB President & CEO Gretchen Hall said. “Tourists from around the world have come to Little Rock specifically to see the Library, and have chosen to extend their stays to experience our wonderful city.”

Since 2003, the LRCVB said, annual visitation has increased by more than 25%, nearly 2,000 hotel rooms and multiple RV spots have been added, and local tourism tax revenue has increased by 64.5 percent.

The Clinton Foundation’s initial goals for the Presidential Center focused on four themes: economic development and revitalization of downtown Little Rock; developing an institution of higher education promoting public service; a tourism magnet for Arkansas and the mid-South; and archival repositories where the past, present and future intersect. Ten years later, Little Rock and all of Central Arkansas have benefitted from the advancement of those goals.

As the LRCVB works with its cultural attractions and partners to prepare for this milestone, it has created a website dedicated to this event at www.littlerockdecadeofprogress.com. It contains quite a large list of events that will continue to be updated.

The site also has photo galleries relating to President Clinton’s White House years, the construction of the library and the Clinton Presidential Center, along with video footage from President Clinton’s announcement and unveiling of his presidential library.

Some of the celebratory events scheduled to occur include:

Oct. 15-Nov. 30, Handbags for Hillary exhibit, Esse Purse Museum.

Nov. 8-23, an exhibit – The Clinton Years: George Fisher’s Political Cartoons, at the Arkansas Arts Center.

Nov. 11, in observance of the 100th birthday of civil rights leaders Daisy Bates, Ernie Green, a member of the Little Rock Nine, will speak at the Clinton School of Public Service.

Nov. 12, “War Room” and “365 Days: From Arkansas to America,” movie showings, Ron Robinson Theater in the River Market.

Nov. 13, “Throwback Thursday: Party in the Pavilions,” River Market Pavilions.

Nov. 13, “Hunting of the President” documentary, with special guest Harry Thomason. This session at the Ron Robinson Theater in the River Market will feature a Q&A session.

Nov. 14, Greasy Greens Concert, “Party Like It’s 1999,” Historic Arkansas Museum.

Nov. 14-18, Clinton Tour of the Governor’s Mansion (by appointment only), Arkansas Governor’s Mansion.

Nov. 15, Science of the Saxophone: Good Vibrations at the  Museum of Discovery.

Nov. 15, “String Petting Zoo,” the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra at the Museum of Discovery.

Nov. 15, “Celebrate 10” community concert at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock benefitting the Arkansas Foodbank.

Nov. 15, “Day of Action” benefitting the Arkansas Foodbank.

Nov. 16-18, free admission, Clinton Presidential Center.

On Nov. 13, the LRCVB will host “Throwback Thursday: A Party in the Pavilions” for the public in tribute to the widely popular “Big Downtown Thursday” events that were very successful in the mid-1990s during the Clinton administration. This one-time event will take place at the Little Rock River Market Pavilions from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and feature the Big John Miller Band. Beverages will be available for purchase.