Clinton Presidential Center
William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum | |
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Polshek Partnership | |
Website | |
clintonfoundation.org/clinton-presidential-center |
The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum is the presidential library of Bill Clinton, who served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. It is located in Little Rock, Arkansas and includes the Clinton Presidential Library, the offices of the Clinton Foundation, and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. It is the thirteenth presidential library to have been completed in the United States, the eleventh to be operated by the National Archives and Records Administration,[1][2] and the third to comply with the Presidential Records Act of 1978.[3]
It is situated on 17 acres (69,000 m2) of land located next to the
The museum showcases artifacts from Clinton's two terms as president and includes full-scale replicas of the Clinton-era Oval Office and Cabinet Room.[10]
History
Preliminary planning for the library (including the site choice) began in 1997, while groundbreaking for the complex occurred on December 5, 2001.[4][6][12][13] Early estimates put the library's cost at about $125 million.[4] In 2001, the Clinton Foundation hoped to gather $200 million in donations to cover project costs.[14] In the end, the entire project cost $165 million in private funding, with an additional $11.5 million of land given by the City of Little Rock to construct and covers 152,000 square feet (14,100 m2) within a 28 acres (110,000 m2) park.[9][10]
Fund-raising for the center was led by Terry McAuliffe, a friend of Clinton's who had also contributed heavily to the Clinton-Gore campaign in 1995.[15] Clinton himself was prohibited by law from personally soliciting donations for the center, but he did host private events relating to the library. There were no other legal restrictions on donations, and the Clinton Foundation was able to accept unlimited private donations, all of which were tax deductible.[4] Approximately $10 million of contributions came from Saudi Arabia.[16] However, the Clinton Foundation declined to release a full donor list, similar to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library (although the foundation later agreed to disclose the top 150 donors to the House Government Reform Committee).[17] Donations exceeding $1 million were also given from various other foreign governments (such as Kuwait and Taiwan), as well as foreign individuals. Various American organizations also contributed millions of dollars to the foundation.[16]
Dedication ceremony
The Clinton Presidential Center was dedicated on November 18, 2004. Although it was raining, the ceremony was attended by approximately 30,000 people (including notable figures such as
Fifth anniversary
On November 17, 2009, the library's fifth anniversary saw Clinton giving a speech to approximately 1,000 people, urging the passage of
Complex
Main building
The five-story main building comprises 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2) of exhibition space, the Great Hall (used for banquets or forums), Forty Two (formerly Café 42, now a full-service restaurant; Clinton was the 42nd president), and classrooms.[24] A 2,000-square-foot (190 m2) private penthouse used by Clinton is located on the top (fifth) floor of the main building, one level above the public museum area. In 2007 the Clinton Foundation installed on the rooftop of the Presidential library the private "Rooftop Garden" with a golf course.[25]
The organization of the exhibits within the main building was inspired by the famous Long Room in the
Archives
Between November 18, 2000 and January 27, 2001, eight Lockheed C-5 Galaxy missions moved 602 tonnes (664 short tons) of President Bill Clinton's papers, gifts, artifacts, and other official materials from Andrews Air Force Base to Little Rock Air Force Base. Commercial trucks transported the cargoes from the base to the National Archives storage facility in Little Rock, where they were to remain until completion of the Clinton presidential library in 2004.[27]
The archives are housed in a building south of and connected to the main building, which also contains NARA facilities.[6] The Clinton archives are the first to include electronic information along with physical documents. The total amount of records is 35,686 cubic feet (1,010.5 m3), the most of any presidential archive.[26] Because Clinton wanted a light-filled library, the archives are kept underground to protect them from damage from ultraviolet degradation.[28]
Clinton Presidential Park
The Clinton Presidential Park occupies nearly 30 acres (120,000 m2) of land and is located on the riverfront next to the museum.
Choctaw Station
Choctaw Station is a restored historic redbrick
Bridge
The 1899 Rock Island Railroad Bridge across the Arkansas River, originally built by the
Store
For legal reasons involving state development funds, retail facilities were, for a time, prohibited on the same property as the library itself.[36] The Clinton Museum Store was first located in the nearby River Market district. In 2016, however, the limitation expired and the store relocated to the library lobby.[37]
Exhibits
Hillary — Happy Valentine's Day! I love you, Bill.
—Bill Clinton, Valentine's Day note to Hillary Clinton.
The Clinton Library features numerous items from Clinton's time as president. Clinton's Cadillac One is on the first floor of the main building. The second floor includes the main gallery. It consists of a 110-foot (34 m) timeline of each of Clinton's years as president, as well as 14 alcoves featuring various events during Clinton's terms.[38] There is an orientation theater and full-size replicas of the Clinton-era Oval Office and Cabinet Room as well.[10] The Oval Office exhibit is the only full-size model Oval Office in any presidential library, and was constructed using thousands of photos taken by White House officials of the original office.[38]
The timeline comprises eight panels, each one 18 feet (5.5 m) wide and begins with Clinton's 1993
Clinton has been criticized for not including enough details about the
Controversies and criticism
In 1997, Eugene Pfeifer III sued the city of Little Rock to challenge its use of
The library has been criticized for not including much information about the pardons Clinton issued just before leaving office.
Clinton has also been criticized for the library's lack of coverage regarding various scandals during his presidency, including the
Design
General design
The primarily modernist complex was designed by James Polshek's Polshek Partnership Architects, led by Polshek and partner Richard Olcott.[9] The structural engineer for this project was Leslie E. Robertson Associates.[46] The museum and exhibitions were designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates, with landscaping by Hargreaves associates.[6] Clinton did not announce his choice of architect until 1999, when Polshek was officially hired that August.[47] Although Appelbaum was the official designer for the exhibitions, Appelbaum called Clinton "the editor-in-chief, the curator-in-chief and in many times the art director of the exhibits".[3]
It is constructed primarily of steel and glass.
Environment
The library incorporates many aspects of environmentally-sensitive design, in accordance to Clinton's work involving
Economic impact
After the location for the project was announced, many new businesses began to develop in the surrounding area. Numerous hotels, restaurants, housing complexes, offices, retail stores were established. The revived River Market district, a dining and retail area near the library, was created as a result of its location. In addition, over $1 billion of new real estate has been invested in downtown Little Rock.[50] The world headquarters of Heifer International is located just beyond the library.[9][51]
The center has spurred an estimated $2 billion in new projects in the surrounding parts of Little Rock. Since its opening, the library has had over 1.64 million visitors. The museum had 302,583 visitors in 2009 and 273,108 visitors in 2008. There were approximately 500,000 visitors during its first year (November 2004 – 2005).[51]
Student outreach
The Clinton Presidential Center offers free admission to school groups, homeschool groups, and other school personnel with a reservation.[52]
The center also offers four free-admission days annually in celebration of Presidents' Day, the Fourth of July, President Clinton's birthday, and the anniversary of the Clinton Center's grand opening.
See also
References
- Xinhuanet. Xinhua News Agency. November 18, 2004. Archived from the originalon November 20, 2004. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
- ^ The Financial Times. Financial Times Ltd. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Zeleny, Jeff (November 18, 2004). "Clinton tries to shape his legacy with presidential library". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Van Natta, Don Jr. (June 28, 1999). "Dinner for a Presidential Library, Contributions Welcome". The New York Times. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
- ^ "Awards & Publications". Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
- ^ ISBN 0-9772502-1-0.
- ^ "Winds tear Air Force One Pavilion roof at Reagan Library". Ventura County Star. The E.W. Scripps Co. November 3, 2007. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
- ^ Christian Science Monitor. The Christian Science Publishing Society. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Kamin, Blair (November 14, 2004). "A new chapter". Daily Press. Tribune Company. Archived from the original on July 30, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Chappell, Kevin (December 13, 2004). "Blacks join Clinton for his presidential library opening in Arkansas". Jet, pp. 4–18.
- ^ a b Zeleny, Jeff (November 18, 2004). "Rain falls, partisanship falls away for Clinton library opening". Tribune Company. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
- ^ Duggan, Paul (August 6, 2000). "Clinton Presidential Library at Center of Arkansas Land Dispute". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 2, 2013. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
- ^ "Clinton Presidential Library Opens Today". The Washington Post. November 18, 2004. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
- ^ a b "Rich's '$450,000' for Clinton library". BBC News. BBC. February 10, 2001. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
- ^ Gerth, Jeff (December 12, 1999). "Friendship Counts: Clinton's Top Fund-Raiser Made Lots for Himself, Too". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 30, 2009. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- ^ a b Solomon, John; H. Birnbaum, Jeffrey (December 15, 2007). "Clinton Library Got Funds From Abroad". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
- ^ "Clinton library shares list of top donors". The Associated Press. 1 March 2001. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
- ^ F. Harris, Josh (November 19, 2004). "Unity Shines in the Rain at Clinton Library Dedication". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
- ^ Newman, Maria (November 18, 2004). "Thousands Attend Dedication of Clinton's Presidential Library". The New York Times. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
- ^ "Clinton library open for business". BBC News. BBC. November 18, 2004. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
- ^ a b "Ex-president urges health reform, less energy use". The Associated Press. 18 November 2009. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
- ^ "Ex-president to mark Clinton library 5th birthday". UALR Public Radio. The Associated Press. November 18, 2009. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
- ^ Matthews, Kay (November 19, 2009). "Clinton Presidential Center celebrates fifth anniversary". Digital Journal. digitaljournal.com. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
- ^ "Press Release: Clinton Center's Forty Two Expands Operations". William J. Clinton Presidential Center. William J. Clinton Foundation. September 3, 2009. Archived from the original on October 5, 2010. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
- ^ The Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Private Rooftop Garden: An Obscene Violation Of Charity Law & Principles, September 10, 2017
- ^ a b c d Q. Seelye, Katharine (November 18, 2004). "Clinton Library Reflects Its Subject's Volatile Era". The New York Times. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
- ^ Leland, John W.; Wilcoxson, Kathryn A. (May 2003). The chronological history of the C-5 Galaxy (PDF). Office of History Air Mobility Command. p. 87.
- The Associated Press. Retrieved December 24, 2009.
- ^ a b "Choctaw Terminal". Retrieved 14 November 2012.
- ^ "Rock Island Bridge (Little Rock-North Little Rock)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ^ "Work begins on second pedestrian bridge at LR, in River Market". FOX16. The Associated Press. June 20, 2007. Archived from the original on December 10, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2009.
- ^ Netterstrom, Kristin (November 19, 2009). "Clinton puts Rock Island Bridge on go for '10". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
- ^ "THE DAILY OUTRAGE: Clinton library bailout?". Washington Examiner. October 7, 2009. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- ^ Abubey, Faith (May 28, 2010). "Clinton Presidential Park Bridge construction to begin". KTHV. Arkansas Television Company. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
- ^ Hibblen, Michael (September 30, 2011). "Dedication For Clinton Presidential Park Bridge". KUAR. UALR Public Radio. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
- ^ Brantley, Max (November 12, 2015). "Clinton Foundation to Move Museum Store, Raise Admission Fee at Library". Arkansas Times: Arkansas Blog. Arkansas Times. Archived from the original on March 3, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
- ^ THV11 Staff (April 24, 2016). "Clinton Museum Store Reopens". THV11.com. KTHV-TV. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c Grace, Frankie (November 18, 2004). "Soggy Launch For Clinton Library". CBS News. CBS Broadcasting Inc. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
- ^ a b c Hewitt, Giles (November 17, 2004). "Clinton library is more Whoopi than Monica". IOL. Independent Online. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
- ^ Jefferson, James (November 1, 2001). "Clinton Library Gets Go-Ahead". CBS News. The Associated Press. Retrieved December 24, 2009.
- ^ a b Leigh Cowan, Alison (February 9, 2001). "Ex-Wife of Pardoned Financier Pledged Money to Clinton Library". The New York Times. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
- ^ Arena, Kelli; O'Connor, Eileen (February 14, 2001). "U.S. attorney launches criminal probe of Rich pardon". CNN. Cable News Network LP, LLLP. Archived from the original on February 26, 2008. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
- ^ Judd, Jackie; Ruppe, David (February 10, 2001). "Denise Rich Gave $450,000 to Clinton Library". ABC News. ABC News Internet Ventures. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
- ^ Brooks, David (March 8, 2008). "A losing political strategy for Obama". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2009.
- ^ "Clinton library unveils displays". USA Today. The Associated Press. November 17, 2004. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
- ^ Leslie E. Robertson Associates
- ^ McGuigan, Cathleen (September 13, 2004). "Bill's New Bridge". Newsweek. Newsweek, Inc. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
- ^ "Clinton Presidential Library Earns a LEED for Existing Buildings Platinum Rating". Green Progress. Green Progress. November 14, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2009.
- ^ "Clinton presidential library builds 'green' roof". NBC News. The Associated Press. November 19, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
- ^ Madhani, Aamer (July 8, 2013). "Race, class arise as issues in Obama library battle". USA Today (paper). p. 5A.
- ^ a b Bartels, Chuck (November 17, 2009). "5 Years Later, Clinton Center Anchors Little Rock". ABC News. The Associated Press. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
- ^ "School Group Tour Information". Clinton Foundation. Retrieved 2019-04-16.
External links
- Official Clinton Center website
- Official Clinton Library website
- Official Clinton Foundation website
- Official Clinton School website