Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Presentation by: Hannah Rosson TRT, 2016 Little Rock, Arkansas Information Gathered from: Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Brochure, National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior https://www.nps.gov/chsc/index.htm On Site Tour

Civil Rights What does it mean to you when you hear the term Civil Rights? Civil Rights means: the rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality. We are going to talk about a specific group of people who were fighting for their rights as American citizens.

Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site November 6, 1998- Little Rock Central High School established as a National Historic Site. Original Visitor Center Mobile Gas Station 2006 Visitor Center opened Still an operating High School

America’s Most Beautiful High School The American Institute of Architects named Central High School “America’s Most Beautiful High School” because of: The Art Deco and Gothic Revival Style 150,000 square feet Cost $1.5 million in 1927 100 classrooms Capacity of 2000 students A huge auditorium and stage Academic Excellence Served as a Community Civic Center

Integration in Public Schools 1954 Brown VS Board of Education: “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal” 1955 Brown 2: schools have to integrate 1956 Southern Manifesto: counter argument to Brown VS Board 1957 Desegregation Crisis at Little Rock Central High School

From 200 to 10 to 9 Little Rock School Board decides to gradually integrate the city’s schools: 200 volunteers from Horace Mann , the local all-black school, to go to Central Multi-step process of requirements to attend Good grades and attendance, number drops to 180-160-150 students Then they have to agree to not participate in ANY after school activities, number drops to 17 students Newspaper publishes the 17 names and addresses, all families are harassed and 7 families pull kids out By the time school starts 10 students are left When Elizabeth Eckford tries to enter and is harassed another student drops out, and 9 students are left

Little Rock 9 Little Rock 9 Oral Interviews Little Rock 9 along with mentor, Daisy Gatson Bates

1957 Desegregation Crisis at Central High School September 2, 1957- School starts and Governor Orval Faubus orders Arkansas National Guard to bar African Americans from school for their “safety” September 3, 1957- First day of school mob gathers, African American students do not come. September 4, 1957- Daisy Gatson Bates, Mentor and NACCP Arkansas President, make plan to meet and go. Elizabeth Eckford did not get the message and went to Central alone.

Elizabeth Eckford Elizabeth Eckford steps off the bus into a white, angry mob. She tried to enter the building, but the Arkansas National Guard refuse her entry. The others came later and were also denied entry.

1957 Desegregation Crisis at Central High School September 5, 1957- The Little Rock 9 want to make another attempt, but the Superintendent tells them to stay home. September 20, 1957- Federal Judge rules against National Guard to block students, and LRPD are give task to protect students. September 30, 1957- LR 9 enter school, but riot ensues and students leave at 1:00. September 24, 1957- President Eisenhower federalizes National guard and sends 1200 soldiers from 101st Airborne to Little Rock September 25, 1957- Little Rock 9 enter Central escorted by Soldiers endure physical and verbal abuse throughout the year.

Legacy of the LR 9 September 25, 1997 Little Rock 9 are back in front of Central High School being honored by President Bill Clinton Web Article

Legacy of 9 in Arkansas Reflecting pool in front of Central High School Statues of LR 9 outside Arkansas Capital Central High School Commemorative Garden arches