Central High School National Historic Site in Little Rock, Arkansas
On September 4, 1957, Governor Orval Faubus called in the Arkansas National Guard to prevent black students from entering Central High School, which had been ordered to desegregate. Later that month, President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent in federal troops to Little Rock to enforce desegregation. These actions drew national attention to Arkansas and the civil rights movement.
In 1998, Congress established the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. The site now hosts a visitors center, guided educational tours with park rangers, film showings, and more. Continue reading to learn more about visiting this historic location.
“Mob Rule Cannot Be Allowed to Override the Decisions of Our Courts”
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
1957 Address on Little Rock, Arkansas.
Learning the History
There are a variety of educational resources available for educators, students, and interested visitors to learn more about desegregation in Little Rock and the Little Rock Nine. Stories are collected and shared from individuals who lived through the crisis. An event timeline provides a guide for understanding the causes and effects of decisions made by many Arkansas individuals and groups. Profiles of important places like the Elizabeth Eckford Bus Bench and Home of Daisy and L.C. Bates provide additional context for the history of the area. There is also an online photo gallery as well as a suite of educational curriculums social studies educators can use to supplement their classroom materials with these important topics. Virtual learning opportunities are available upon request!
Plan Your Visit
Interested in planning a visit to this historic site? Visit the Central High page on the National Parks site for a full review of where to start your trip, what activities to expect, and additional locations in the area you can visit that connect to Little Rock and Central High history. Will you take a tour, explore the places in the area, or review materials and collections in the Visitor’s Center? No matter how you choose to spend the day, you’ll learn much about this important time in Arkansas’s history, see how that history is commemorated and recorded today, and be reminded that there is a great deal to learn, see, and do right in our own backyards.
