The HAM Nog-Off a finalist for Bootstrap Award

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Scott

Historic Arkansas Museum’s popular annual Nog-off event was a finalist for the Bootstrap Award at this year’s Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism!

This free annual event has become a success on a bootstrap budget thanks to the hard work, passion and dedication of the museum staff, amazing volunteers, incredible competitors and expert judges both past and present!

HAM will host the 12th Ever Nog-off on December 9, 2016, and they hope to see you there!

Have you ever wondered why they include “Ever” in the title of this annual event? It’s because they began as the First Ever Nog-off almost 12 years ago! Staff thinks it’s been fun to see several knock-off nog-offs appear across the country (after all, imitation is the highest form of flattery); they are proud that Arkansas was the first and it all started at Historic Arkansas Museum!

This event is an ideal example of how HAM pairs Arkansas history and heritage with fun and engaging experiences. They are proud each year to showcase historic eggnog recipes with connections to our historic grounds and early Arkansas as well as innovative recipes from our contemporary culinary masterminds in Arkansas. ‪#‎ArkansasMade‬ ‪#‎AuthenticArkansas‬ ‪#‎HeritageFood‬

Little Rock Look Back: Leap Day City Council meetings

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Scott

February 29 may come around only once every four years, but it is even rarer for the City of Little Rock to have City Council or City Board meetings on that date.

The most recent official meeting on a Leap Day was on February 29, 1932. Mayor Horace A. Knowlton presided with all sixteen Aldermen present. Among the items discussed were regulating of junk dealers, taxes on slot machines, a building condemnation, and setting a license fee for bowling alleys.

There were several issues related to cemeteries discussed throughout the evening. One forbade any new burials in a section of Oakland Cemetery while another sought to prohibit the creation of any new cemeteries within the City limits. The Council also passed a motion instructing the Mayor to notify the State Board of Health that the City was “seriously objecting and would strenuously oppose the establishment of a [new] Cemetery within the present boundaries of the City of Little Rock.” The final cemetery issue was the acceptance of the annual report of the Mount Holly Cemetery Association.

That night the Council also passed a resolution to name the city government hospital as “Little Rock City Hospital.” The purpose of the name was to “clearly designate said hospital to the citizens of Little Rock as the hospital owned and operated by the City of Little Rock.”

The issue which seems to have taken up most of the time was overriding a Mayoral veto of a resolution opposing the firing of a firefighter. The motion to sustain the veto ended in a tie. After the Mayor promised to rehire the firefighter as soon as a vacancy occurred, on alderman changed his vote and the veto was sustained.

The only other City Council meeting on a February 29 was in 1892. Mayor H. L. Fletcher presided over the meeting. The main focuses of that meeting were to discuss boundaries of various sewer districts, pay the monthly bills, approve the relocation of a house from 9th Street to the corner of 12th Street and Commerce Street and to bring certain City criminal penalties in line with a new state law.

Free admission at Clinton Center today

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Scott

The Clinton Presidential Center is free today in honor of the George Washington Birthday Federal Holiday. Also free are audio tours narrated by President Clinton.

This is a wonderful opportunity to see the final day of the temporary Coca-Cola exhibits.

Illustrations of an American Original is located in the Garden View Room and focuses the now-iconic images and advertising campaigns that have helped define the Coca-Cola brand. An American Original at 100 is housed in the Temporary Gallery, bringing together historic bottle “firsts.” It features a 13-bottle chronology, including an original glass bottle produced in 1902, a replica of the prototype contour bottle created by the Root Glass Company in 1915, and a prototype of the aluminum bottle that debuted in 2008.

In addition to Illustrations of an American Original and An American Original at 100, the Center is also displaying a full-size antique Coca-Cola delivery truck produced in 1949 by the White Motor Company and a spectacular hanging installation comprised of more than 750 3D-printed, ribbon-shaped interpretations of the bottle’s classic shape.

LOVE JONES on screen tonight as part of MTCC After Dark

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Scott

Join MTCC “After Dark” for a Valentine’s Day affair with a special screening of the 1997 New Line Cinema film Love Jones starring Larenz Tate and Nia Long.

Darius Lovehall (Tate) is a young black poet in Chicago who starts dating Nina Mosely (Long), a beautiful and talented photographer. While trying to figure out if they’ve got a “love thing” or are just “kicking it,” Nina attempts to test the strength of Darius’ feelings and sets a chain of romantic complications into motion.

Refreshments will be served. Admission is $10. Seating is limited and tickets must be purchased at Mosaic Templars Cultural Center.

MTCC is an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Clinton Center TODAY from 10am to 2pm

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Scott

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Clinton Center on Saturday, February 13, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Come make cards for your loved ones, send Valentine’s Day wishes to patients at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and enjoy FREE family activities, including “Recreate an Original,” an opportunity to become part of Norman Rockwell’s original paintings, Out Fishin’ and Barefoot Boy.

The Coca-Cola exhibit will be ending soon, so this is a good chance to see it one final time.

Saturday, February 13, 2016
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Clinton Presidential Center

This event is free, but regular admission fees apply to tour the Library.

The Museum of Discovery invites you to say “I ‘Heart’ Science” today from 10am to 2pm

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Scott

Today, Saturday, February 13, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at Museum of Discovery, you’ll have an opportunity to learn why there is much to love in science.

Do you love science? Then join us for “I Heart Science” where you can enjoy hands-on educational activities that teach…SCIENCE!

Take a look at some of the activities we have planned.
• Paper circuit valentines
• Magic color changing flower (but it’s not magic…it’s science)
• Singing balloons
• Edible blood making
• Bouncing balloons
• Flying film canisters
• And more!

If you don’t already “heart science”, you will after this event!
This event is included in regular museum admission ($8 for 12 and under; $10 for 12 and up; free for infants and members)