Clinton Library in Little Rock
Building a Bridge to the 21st Century
By: Charles Giuliano - May 17, 2010
The design by Polshek Partnership. LLP for the Clinton Library in Little Rock, Arkansas literally conveys the mantra of “Building a bridge to the 21st century.”
One end of the box like structure cantilevers stretching toward the banks of the Arkansas River. Just beyond, literally, is an old railroad bridge. It conveyed passengers to a depot which is now home to the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.
Actually, it is not a true cantilever. The extension is supported by a structure at its end. From the embankment one looks down upon a terraced dining area under the overhang.
Overall the design of the library is more pragmatic than dramatic. While one visits to research documents or to enjoy the exhibitions of his life and work this is not a significant architectural destination.
The locals have dubbed the boxy building the Clinton Double Wide for its resemblance to pre fab homes. It is an all too apt and uncomfortable analogy. Perhaps it conveys the message of a grass roots President who through political brilliance, charm, and charisma rose from humble origins to be a leader of the Free World.
The William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park is just a short walk from a lively and charming dining and entertainment area.
The well organized and straight forward thematic installations have been designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates. We experience the full range of a rich and complex life from nude baby pictures to Bubba outfitted in the high school marching band. There are shots and memorabilia of early campaigns including one for Student Council. A photo of the young Bill and Hillary reveals the kind of long hair he sported during an era when he didn’t inhale.
We searched in vain for Monica’s little black dress or even any mention of her.
So as one might expect this is a sanitized version of the life and Clinton's administration. There are replicas of the Cabinet Room and Oval Office. Surely he was one of the most brilliant and colorful individuals every to serve two terms as President.
The rather straight forward ground plan has alcoves organized thematically. The walls separating sections house generic document boxes. Thousands of them. They contain actual documents. While they are catalogued and may be viewed on request they are deemed to be the least likely to attract attention from researchers.
For scholars an adjacent building houses 2 million photographs, 80 million pages of documents, 21 million e mails and seemingly every last scrap and fragment that passed through the Oval Office.
It is fascinating to consider that every day there is a sweep. Every scrap and shard of an administration will be archived in future Presidential libraries. For most of us it is way more than we will ever want to know. And of course much of it will remain classified.
Overall, we were glad to have visited Little Rock and viewed the Library. There is also a sense of sadness that such brilliant accomplishments were forever tarnished by an all too human fatal flaw. Compounded by the lie that is not documented in this enduring monument to a remarkable American President.
As the exhibits convey Clinton continues to do important work. While Hillary is making a major contribution to the Obama administration. Truly the American people owe them a lot for insights and public service,