Category Archives: Government

Paint with the Animals of the Museum of Discovery today from 2pm to 4pm

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Some of the animals living at Museum of Discovery have recently taken up painting as an enrichment activity.  Soon, their paintings will be available for purchase in our Explore Store.  But because watching the animals painting is just as fun as owning one of their masterpieces, they are hosting a painting party for our guests!

During the party you will watch a variety of our animals paint (using a non-toxic tempera paint) and be able to collaborate with them by painting yourself by using objects such as feathers, snake skins and more! You will also be able to take a collaborative art piece home!

All children must be accompanied with an adult.  Tickets to this event must be purchased in advance.  Tickets are $5 for adult and children Museum of Discovery members and $15 for adult non-members and $13 for children non-members (this includes the cost of museum admission.)  Museum members must show proof of membership at the door.

Birth of Little Rock’s 46th Mayor – Horace Knowlton – on Nov. 25, 1872

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On November 25, 1872, future Little Rock Mayor Horace A. Knowlton Jr. was born.

In April 1920, he was elected City Clerk of Little Rock.  He served in that position until April 1931.  That year, he was chosen as the Democratic nominee for Mayor, denying incumbent Mayor Pat L. Robinson a second term.

The primary race against Mayor Robinson was close.  When the results were first announced, it looked as if Mayor Robinson had prevailed.  But after challenging ballots, Mr. Knowlton was declared the winner.  Since Little Rock was primarily a Democratic Party city, unsurprisingly Mr. Knowlton was elected Mayor in April 1931 and served two terms as Mayor.

He oversaw the start of some of President Roosevelt’s New Deal programs in Arkansas during his tenure.  In 1934, he negotiated the purchase of Gillam Park for the City which established the first public park in Little Rock for African Americans.  While a segregated park would today be wrong, in the 1930s he was viewed as very progressive for providing a public park for African Americans.  One of his final acts as Mayor was to participate in the groundbreaking for the Museum of Fine Arts building in City Park (now a portion of the Arkansas Arts Center building in MacArthur Park).

Following his departure from public office, Mayor Knowlton and his wife (who had been an elementary school teacher) eventually moved to Florida and resided in the Tampa Bay area.  His son and grandson (Horace III and Horace IV) have both been lawyers in the Tampa Bay area.  Mayor Knowlton died on February 14, 1965.  He is buried in the Oak Grove cemetery in Conway.

Relive the 1990s in new exhibit at Clinton Presidential Center!

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The Clinton Presidential Library is bringing back the decade that brought us blockbuster movies, must-see television shows, genre-changing music, iconic fashion, collectible toys, and the rise of PCs and the World Wide Web.

This exhibit will feature an exciting and diverse display – from props and scripts to fashion and tech – that, together, will tell the story of popular culture in the United States at the end of the 20th century.

You won’t want to miss Rose’s dress and Jack’s drawing portfolio from Titanic, scripts from The West Wing, one of Garth Brooks’ Stetson Cowboys hats, and, of course, a collection of Beanie Babies that were sent to the Clinton family during the White House years. you’ll definitely want to bring all your “Friends” for a special “perk”-y photo op!

Throughout the exhibit, you’ll have the opportunity to play a variety of interactive games that focus on the era, including ’90s trivia, Pogs, a giant crossword puzzle with ’90s clues, and a ’90s-style video game!

Birth of Little Rock’s 21st Mayor – Charles P. Bertrand

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On November 23, 1808, future Mayor Charles P. Bertrand was born in New York.  He was the son of Pierre and Eliza Wilson Bertrand; his father died in 1809 in an uprising in Haiti and his mother eventually remarried.  With her new husband, Dr. Matthew Cunningham, she and the family moved to Little Rock in 1820.

After apprenticing with family friend William Woodruff at the Arkansas Gazette, Bertrand opened the Arkansas Advocate newspaper.  He later studied law under Robert Crittenden and entered the legal profession.

In 1835-1836, he served as State Treasurer for the Arkansas Territory, and in 1836 as secretary for the first constitutional convention. He was a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1840-1841 and 1844-1849.

Bertrand followed in his stepfather’s footsteps and became Mayor of Little Rock.  (Dr. Cunningham had been the first Little Rock Mayor in 1831.)  He was in office from January 1855 through January 1857, serving two one-year terms.  He later served on the City Council and filled in as acting mayor. (Another influence on his upbringing was studying under future Mayor Jesse Brown who taught at the first school in Little Rock.)

Bertrand, as acting mayor, was involved in the negotiations of the surrender of Little Rock to federal troops in 1863.  He also later corresponded with President Lincoln on behalf of Little Rock citizens.

Though a staunch Confederate, his good will toward the Union soldiers and federal officials is credited with helping to save Little Rock from the destruction which befell many other Southern cities.

Bertrand is also credited with delaying the start of the Civil War.  Prior to the attack on Fort Sumner, members of the Arkansas Militia were planning to attack the Federal Arsenal at Little Rock during the absence of Governor Rector.  This would have been viewed as an act of war.  Bertrand was able to dissuade them from the attack.  Had he been unsuccessful, the Civil War would have likely started in Arkansas instead of South Carolina.

He had put his considerable fortune into Confederate money during the war. At the Civil War’s conclusion, the family was financially ruined. Though they had vast land holdings, those would be sold off in parcels to pay for taxes.

Bertrand died August 27, 1865, shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War.  He, like his mother, step-father, and several other relatives, is buried in Mt. Holly Cemetery.

Arkansas Arts Center Museum School annual sale today from 9am to 3pm

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The Arkansas Arts Center Museum School will be having its annual Sale on Saturday, November 23 from 9am to 3pm at the Hall of Industry, 2600 Howard Street.

Scores of Museum School students and faculty (and faculty who are also students) will be selling artwork in all varieties of shapes, sizes, media and price ranges.

It is a perfect chance to get a start on holiday shopping as well as to support local artists. Several of the artists have been taking classes and selling at the sale for years, while there will be others who are first timers.   Artists accept cash and checks; many also accept credit or debit cards.

Relive THE LAST WALTZ tonight at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater

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The Last Waltz PosterOne of the seminal North American music groups in the 1970s to 1990s was simply named The Band.  Relive The Band in its glory tonight at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater as it screens the 1978 movie The Last Waltz.

This film screening celebrates “one of the most important cultural events of the last two decades” (Rolling Stone).

Martin Scorsese’s The Last Waltz looks at The Band’s historic 1976 farewell concert and features Arkansas music legends Levon Helm and Ronnie Hawkins.

The Band was a Canadian-American roots rock group including Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, Robbie Robertson, and Levon Helm. Their time backing Bob Dylan was when they first reached prominence, but they were originally formed as The Hawks, a backing band for rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins.  Following the Farewell Tour, as did so many other groups, The Band reconstituted itself from 1983 to 1999. And Levon Helm made music up until his final days.

In addition to featuring the members of The Band, The Last Waltz contains appearances by Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Ringo Starr, Dr. John, and Van Morrison, among others.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Film starts at 7:00 p.m. Beer, wine, and concessions will be available!