History – Page 4 – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

On a Roll in Little Rock

On our second day in Little Rock, AR, we hoped to continue the momentum set on our busy first day. With this in mind, we set out to tackle a new restaurant or two, the Clinton Presidential Library, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, and to kick off the Six Bridges Book Festival. We did all we set out today–and more!

Clinton Presidential Library and Museum

by Olivia Discon

Continuing our exploration into history, politics, and culture, we had the opportunity to visit the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum. Before stepping inside, we took a moment to explore the grounds, which are beautifully landscaped and situated along the Arkansas River. The glass-and-steel building, designed to resemble a “bridge to the future,” offers a modern backdrop that complements the historical significance of the museum.

The visit kicked off with a short film detailing Bill Clinton’s early life and career. The film highlighted Clinton’s journey from a small-town boy in Hope, Arkansas, to his time at Georgetown, and later his entry into politics. One of the most compelling parts was hearing about how he navigated the turbulent waters of the 1992 election, ultimately becoming the 42nd president of the United States. After the film, we ventured into the heart of the museum: the comprehensive overview of Clinton’s two terms in office. Each section of the exhibit is organized by year, giving us a look at the major events that defined his presidency.

From intense policy battles to personal moments, it was a well-rounded portrait of his time in office.

One feature I enjoyed was the binders of Clinton’s daily schedules for every single day—ranging from meetings with world leaders to a quick jog!

Among the many highlights was learning about President Clinton’s key reforms. His policies on healthcare, particularly insurance and medical leave, were revolutionary for their time, affecting millions of Americans. We also spent time on his efforts to address the federal budget deficit, an emphasis throughout his presidency that has shaped many political conversations since. It’s easy to focus on President Clinton’s charm and charisma, but this visit reminded us of his policy legacy as well.

Oh, and it’s hard not to mention his other legacy—though the museum delicately handled his impeachment proceedings.

A special moment for us was the section on the Little Rock Nine.

The connection to our visit the previous day was clear, tying civil rights struggles from the 1950s to the ongoing political landscape Clinton navigated during his presidency. It felt like a seamless link between the past and present struggles for equality and justice.

We also thoroughly enjoyed the art on display. There was a small Frank Lloyd Wright statue of a house that had been gifted to Hillary Clinton, a beautiful example of his architectural style in miniature form.

We also saw a stunning Dale Chihuly glass sculpture…

The Oval Office replica was another highlight, showcasing Clinton’s presidential style.

We saw sculptures by Remington and Rodin and a painting by Childe Hassam.

An unexpected surprise was a Norman Rockwell painting that we didn’t immediately recognize.

All in all, our visit to the Clinton Library was both educational and enjoyable. It gave us a new perspective on President Clinton’s legacy on American history.

A Trip to the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts

Saara Maknojia

Walking through a stunning collection of artworks at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA) was the perfect way to spend our afternoon.

Olivia and I were particularly excited to see the new Art Nouveau exhibit, so we headed straight for it upon arrival.

We were greeted with a beautifully curated selection of vases, jewelry, woodwork, and glass sculptures from the 19th century. What stood out to me the most was the Tiffany & Co. collection, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and iconic designs. The intricate detail and elegance of the pieces left a lasting impression.

Since this was our first time at an art museum together, we took the opportunity to share our thoughts on various artworks. As we walked through the galleries, passing by pieces from prominent artists like Gustav Klimt, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, and Diego Rivera, we discussed our interpretations of what each artist intended to convey, and we watched others contemplating similar questions.

It was stimulating to exchange perspectives and delve into the emotions and possible stories behind these pieces.

One painting that captivated us both was Homage to Alberti by Terrance Corbin. We found ourselves returning to it multiple times. The artwork’s focus on landscape, combined with its use of geometric shapes and lines to create illusions of depth, was intriguing. Although abstract landscapes aren’t typically my preferred style, this particular piece drew me in with its complexity and the many ways it could be interpreted, making it one of my favorites from the museum.

Olivia, on the other hand, was fascinated by Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s Three Partridges, an impressionist work that spoke to her appreciation for soft brushwork and natural themes in art.

We ended our visit on an unexpected yet delightful note. David Warren, the Chair of the museum’s art school, graciously gave us a spontaneous tour of the art studio and pottery workshop. His warm hospitality reminded us of the spirit of the Arkansas Traveler—welcoming, generous, and always eager to share his knowledge and passion for art.

It was a fitting end to a day spent appreciating the beauty and culture on display at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, and we left feeling both inspired and grateful for the experience.

Bound to Books: The Six Bridges Book Festival Kickoff

Owing to some difficulty with our schedule and the timing of the Texas Book Festival, we looked to Little Rock and the Six Bridges Book Festival–and we are glad we did! The Six Bridges Book Festival takes place over a longer period than the Texas Book Festival, and it is smaller. This, as we found out tonight, allowed for a more intimate and personal experience.

The Festival’s kickoff offered some finger foods and snacks; a photo booth, which was much fun; authors on hand, mixing with the crowds; karaoke; and, of course, books for sale.

We began by scouting the facility, the “Ron Robinson Theatre,” part of the Central Arkansas Library System (and the organizer of the festival). The two-story venue was attractive, with a particularly appealing theatre, which was hosting the karaoke. A talented set of spectators took turns at the microphone, and we enjoyed a few songs, before moving on to the next activity.

The next activity included the photo booth, which allowed us to continue the theme of money, one established during our tour of the Arkansas Treasury. Saara grabbed some Benjamins, a money bag, but drew the line at wearing a dollar-sign fishing hat.

We enjoyed the book selection, and we purchased a few before the authors’ supplies were fully depleted. We also played “spot-the-artist,” and we are pretty sure that we “saw” far more authors than were actually there.

But the event whetted our appetite for the next day’s sessions, when we would see Eli Cranor (“You Don’t Know Tough”), Boyce Upholt (“The Great River”), Garrard Conley (“Boy Erased”), Samuel Freedman (“Into the Bright Sunshine: Young Hubert Humphrey and the Fight for Civil Rights”), Randall Woods (“John Quincy Adams: A Man for the Whole People”), John Vercher (“Devil is Fine”), Brian Fairbanks (Willie, Waylon, and the Boys”), and Lana Williams, the latter of whom is a gardener and owner of Tender Gardener.

Wrapping Up

With small pangs of hunger reminding us to eat a full meal, we decided to visit Sterling Market. The restaurant might have been a Lana Wiliams fan, inasmuch as they emphasized ingredients from local farmers. The food was wonderful, and we can publicly vouch for the ricotta dip, the bearnaise sauce, the smoked chicken sandwich, and the mushrooms and dumplings.

It was another nice ending to our ongoing Arkansas adventure, meeting friendly locals, Arkansas authors, and experimenting with some wonderful Arkansas food!

A Big Day in Little Rock: A Capitol Tour, Civil Rights, and Hiking

In LEAP’s ongoing quest for experiential learning, Ambassadors set out for Little Rock, AR, where opportunities for education about Civil Rights, politics, history, cinema, art, and literature abound. And our first day was a big one…

A Visit to the Arkansas State Capitol

by Olivia Discon

Our first stop in Little Rock, Arkansas set the tone for an incredible trip filled with history, learning, and a deeper appreciation for the Natural State.

Naturally, we couldn’t visit without stopping at the Arkansas State Capitol…

…where Cheryl Augustine, who had guided LEAP students three years ago, once again took time out of her day to give us a tour that was both engaging and one to remember.

We began in the Governor’s Reception room, where we learned about the history of Arkansas, institutional traditions, and the current Governor (Sarah Huckabee-Sanders) and soaked in the beautiful room.

This was followed by one of the highlights of the tour, the Treasury Room, a space rich in history and, quite literally, in cash. With the help of Cheryl and Terry Steed…

…we had the chance to walk past the 12-ton vault door and even hold $600,000 in cold, hard cash.

While it was exciting to hold such a large sum, we learned the more practical side: the state loses $38,000 annually by displaying the cash instead of investing it. But this tradition connects Arkansans to their government in a tangible way.

The Treasury Room itself is stunning. Its ornate ceiling, restored with 17 different shades of green, is as much a part of the Capitol’s history as the vault itself. Adding to the room’s charm, they displayed calculator machines from over 100 years ago…

…and everything down to the floors has been carefully preserved since its inception…

…with numerous artifacts on hand for viewing pleasure.

While in the vault, we also had the chance to meet Stephen Bright, Chief of Staff to State Treasurer Mark Lowery.

He shared insights into the Arkansas legislature and gifted us two challenge coins, one from Treasurer Lowery and another in memory of the late Larry Walther. These coins, rooted in military tradition, are exchanged as symbols of respect and accomplishment, which we were very grateful to receive.

The Arkansas State Capitol is an impressive building, with its original design by George R. Mann and later finished with the help of Cass Gilbert, the same architect behind the U.S. Supreme Court.

It took from 1899 to 1915 to complete, and you can really see the effort that went into every detail. The exterior is made from Limestone (from Batesville, AR), the floors and walls are made from Vermont marble, the grand staircases are Alabama marble, and the columns are from Colorado marble, all of which were beautiful!

We explored both the House and Senate chambers, each equally impressive. Arkansas has 100 representatives…

…and 35 senators, with legislative sessions lasting 60 days. The grandeur of the Capitol is undeniable, but it’s the details—the stained glass ceilings, the drapery, and even the pigskin door—that really make the building stand out.

Our tour, which lasted an impressive 2.5 hours, flew by thanks to Cheryl’s knowledge and enthusiasm.

We ended our tour with a story that was reminiscent of our experiences on this trip: the tale of the Arkansas Traveler. As Cheryl recounted, the story follows a lost traveler in search of directions, who, after a brief misunderstanding, receives not only help but also hospitality from a local man.

Much like the traveler, we arrived at the Capitol curious and eager to learn…

…and we left having found guidance, warmth, and generosity from everyone we met–and we, in turn, have become ambassadors for the state!

A Reflection on the Past: Little Rock Central High

by Saara Maknojia

The students at Little Rock Central High School were dismissed from class at 4:00 p.m., giving Olivia and me a few moments to reflect on the diversity of the present-day student body. Standing outside the iconic school, we couldn’t help but consider how far the nation has come since its rocky process of desegregation.

Just moments earlier, we toured the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, where we were both struck by the profound realization that the opening words of our Constitution, “We the people,” were not necessarily intended to include everyone.

The exhibit exposed us to deeply reflect on how for a long period of our nation’s history, the phrase excluded diverse groups of the population, including African Americans, who were denied the same rights and freedoms as Whites.

The historical significance of Brown v. Board of Education and the grit of the Little Rock Nine are beyond question. Their resilience in the face of extreme adversity not only provided momentum leading to the desegregation of schools but also reshaped the course of American civil rights. The historic site offered a powerful overview of this pivotal moment in U.S. history, immersing us in the experience of those nine brave students who, despite intense opposition, stood firm in their pursuit of equality.

As we walked through the exhibits, photographs capturing the tense moments, media coverage showing the nation’s divided response, and phone recordings of the threats and insults said at the students, we were reminded that the struggle for civil rights was definitive.

It was lived and deeply felt by those who dared to stand against injustice. The visit provided us with a deeper understanding of the personal sacrifices made, and the bravery required, to break down societal barriers. This experience left a lasting impression on us, particularly as we observed the diverse faces of today’s student body, a living testament to the progress that has come into existence from the courage of those who came before.

Little Rock Central High School, once the center of racial strife, now serves as a symbol of the journey taken by the Little Rock Nine toward inclusivity and equality for the progression for the United States.

Pinnacle State Park

One moment you are in the state capital, enjoying nice restaurants, relishing a visit to the state capitol building, and touring museums; and then about 20 minutes later, you are at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, climbing a mile-long incline to get a view of the beautiful Arkansas country-side.

It takes a bit of planning. There is much to do in the Park—it sports an Arboretum, Ranger-led activities, and two rivers. But the attraction to us were the hiking trails, specifically east and west summit hikes. Our plan, in theory, was simple. Olivia and Saara would ascend the East Summit Trail, a demanding hike that requires rock scrambling, a 1.5 total distance and, most important, an ascent of 1,000 feet.

Mike and Stephanie would ascend from the West side, which involves a similar distance and ascent, but less rock scrambling.

For Mike and Stephanie, things worked as planned, and although their advanced age prompted several breathers along the way…

…they enjoyed unparalleled views of the valley…

…distant hills…

…and the Big and Little Maumelle Rivers.

Things also worked as planned for Saara and Olivia, for about the first 1/20 of a mile…

…when they accidentally followed the base trail rather than the East Summit trail. This is a great way to see the perimeter of the mountain, without ever actually ascending, and with literally no chance of reaching the summit of the mountain. After an hour or so of this, a passerby noticed the dazed and bewildered look on the girls’ faces, and he kindly directed them to go up the mountain if they wanted to get to the top.

Other than this hiccup, though, things did go generally as planned. We hoped to see some wildlife, and we did, albeit in the form of a tarantula.

When urged to take a closer look, Olivia responded directly, “Oh, hell no.” True to her word, she refused to proceed on the trail—possibly even reversing—until the tarantula hustled off the trail. We planned to get a good workout, and we did. The East Summit trail is especially challenging, with several areas most often referred to as “boulder fields.” Indeed, “Alltrails.com” admonishes hikers to “proceed cautiously,” noting it is a “highly challenging route” to be tackled by only “experienced adventurers.”

And the payoff is worth the climb, with some beautiful views from almost any angle.

It was a wonderful time..

And it was a fitting end to a rewarding first day in Little Rock. We mixed some outdoor fun with a healthy mix of history, civil rights, politics, architecture, finance, and friendship, all within twenty minutes or so from one another. It is a mix we hope to repeat tomorrow, striving to reach another pinnacle in our educational adventure.

Note: We would like to say “thank you” again for all the great people we met today. Cheryl Augustine was a wonderful tour guide and person; Terry Steed is, as Cheryl notes, “a treasure to the Capitol,” and a very nice person; and Stephen Bright, who generously spent time with us and gave us some terrific advice.

Eleven Days in Hell: The 1974 Prison Siege

Olivia Discon

The Texas Prison Museum recently hosted a panel to mark the 50th anniversary of the Fred Carrasco prison siege of 1974. Moderated by Robert Riggs, the host of the True Crime Reporter® Podcast…

…and introduced by museum director David Stacks…

…the discussion brought together several panelists, each with a unique and harrowing experience during those 11 days in Huntsville.

To provide some context: in July 1974, Fred Carrasco, a notorious drug lord, led one of the most dramatic prison sieges in Texas history. Along with two accomplices, Carrasco took 15 hostages in the prison library, demanding safe passage and an escape vehicle. The standoff lasted for 11 tense and terrifying days, culminating in a violent showdown that resulted in multiple deaths, including Carrasco’s.

One of the notable panelists was Wayne Scott, who was a lieutenant at the Texas Department of Corrections (TDC) during the siege. Scott was there throughout the crisis and shared his firsthand account of the intense and dangerous situation. He recounted moments when he and another panelist were shot at, emphasizing the life-threatening reality and high stakes of the situation.

Maurice C. Cook, a Texas Ranger involved in the siege, provided his perspective on the events. Cook’s insights added depth to our understanding of law enforcement strategies and the challenges they encountered while trying to resolve the crisis. His stories about coordinating efforts and facing down Carrasco’s threats were gripping.

The panel also included a Benji Aguilar, translator for Carrasco, who shared a unique and often overlooked perspective on the siege. Interestingly, Carrasco didn’t even need a translator; it was deemed to be more of a power play. The translator’s experiences highlighted the intense psychological pressure of the situation and the manipulative tactics employed by Carrasco.

One of the most dramatic moments of the siege was the Trojan Horse incident. Carrasco orchestrated a false promise of surrender by using a makeshift Trojan Horse, a desperate maneuver to gain leverage and shift the dynamics of the standoff. This ploy was a critical and nerve-wracking phase, showcasing Carrasco’s audacity and the high-stakes environment faced by the authorities.

Photo courtesy of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Maurice C. Cook recounted the most courageous act he witnessed in his career: a corrections officer cutting the hostages loose after the Trojan Horse incident.

During this intense situation, the officer, fully aware of the risks, the officer acted decisively to free the hostages from their bindings. He was later awarded for his act of bravery.

The 50th anniversary panel at the Texas Prison Museum was a powerful reminder of the historical significance of the Fred Carrasco siege and the personal experiences at its core. Despite the intensity of the recollections, it was clear that these men had shared an experience that left them inextricably linked. Indeed, after half a century, they were able to reflect and laugh over their actions as young men, solidifying their experiential bonding.

And they were not the only ones who shared in that experiences. The standing-room only crowd, many of whom were living in Huntsville in 1974, shared in the experience and had the chance to ask questions at the end.

For us, it was a great learning experience, to meet new people…

……see people we know and respect…

…and an honor to be part of a fitting tribute to the courage and tenacity of those who lived through one of the most challenging events in Huntsville’s history.

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