Confronting the Crisis – Center for Arkansas History and Culture

White students and soldiers mingle in front of Central High School.

Boy talking to National Guard troops on truck

Two 101st Airborne soldiers patrolling outside Central High School

101st Airborne soldiers guarding Central High School

National Guardsman standing inside entry to Central High School with students outside

Two 101st Airborne soldiers on patrol, one speaking into radio handset

Central High School entrance guarded by four 101st Airborne soldiers

Military troops parked in jeeps in front of Central High School

National Guardsman seated outside of entry to Central High School

101st Airborne soldier looks on as two female students enter Central High School

Male students standing on doorway steps, two National Guardsmen flanking them with rifles at ready

National Guard and 101st Airborne soldiers resting on lawn in front of Central High School

National Guard troops playing cards on lawn in front of Central High School

Students sketching National Guard troops relaxing on lawn in front of Central High School

Captain Baker speaking with Henry Dale Griffith and Mike Barrier while examining various papers.

Four soldiers watching girls’ soccer game

Captain Madden at Faculty Tea, photo includes Miss Middlebrook and Ms. Opie

Captain Madden at Faculty Tea with Jess Matthews

Captain Madden presented with “Central High Traveler” Certificate by Mr. Paul Magro at Faculty Tea

Captain Madden at Faculty Tea, photo includes Elizabeth Huckaby

Unidentified officer speaking from lectern

Unidentified officer speaking to students from lectern engraved with “Class of 1948”

101st Airborne soldiers holding teddy bears.

Confronting
the
Crisis

About the Exhibit

This exhibit explores the legacy of the Little Rock Central High School Desegregation Crisis and shares this integral moment for the Civil Rights Movement to a virtual audience. This exhibit covers a comprehensive history of some key figures, events, and topics from the crisis. This exhibit grew from the UA Little Rock Center for Arkansas History and Culture's participation in the Central High Integration 60th Anniversary Committee.

About CAHC

The UA Little Rock Center For Arkansas History and Culture, located in the Bobby L. Roberts Library, offers a collection of resources, including significant papers of Arkansas governor's Carl Bailey, Winthrop Rockefeller, Dale Bumpers, Frank White, and Jim Guy Tucker. In total, the collections comprise about 10,000 linear feet, 70,000+ images, and approximately 8,000 books.

Mission

The UA Little Rock Center for Arkansas History and Culture collects, keeps safe, and makes available Arkansas history that connects people to each other and their shared experiences.

Learn More

The collections are available at the Bobby L. Roberts Library of Arkansas History and Art building and online at ARStudies.

401 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

Find more information here: Research Hours