Arkansas Studies Institute
The Arkansas Studies Institute is a hub for the study of Arkansas history, jointly administered by the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR). The Institute will hold the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, an archive of papers drawn from UALR's political history collections. Papers included are those of former Arkansas governors Bill Clinton, Carl Bailey, Winthrop Rockefeller, Dale Bumpers, Frank White, and Jim Guy Tucker.
The Arkansas Studies Institute occupies the first two floors of the old Porbeck & Bowman building or "Budget Office building" in the River Market District, the new Manuscripts and Rare Books Repository constructed next door, and the historic Geyer & Adams building. The Institute moved its collections from the Main Library building of CALS. The Clinton School of Public Service occupies the top floor.
The Arkansas Studies Institute held its grand opening on March 21, 2009. The entire project cost of $21 million. In February 2008 Parker Westbrook endowed the Lucille and Parker Westbrook Arkansas History and Genealogy Collection with a donation of $100,000.
References
- Jim Brooks, "Center Debut a Tribute to Past, Future," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, March 22, 2009.
- "$100,000 Donated to Arkansas Institute," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, February 7, 2008.
- Kane Webb, "Forward to the Past: Mister Roberts (Re)builds His Dream House," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, February 24, 2008.
