About Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
In 1957, Little Rock Central High School was the epicenter of confrontation and a catalyst for change as the fundamental test for the United States to enforce African American civil rights following Brown v. Board of Education. Learn how the sacrifice and struggle endured by the Little Rock Nine have provided opportunities and opened doors for those seeking education around the world.
Quick Facts
Location & Map
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site is located in Arkansas.
Operating Hours
The Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Visitor Center is currently open Tuesday through Saturday (10:00 a.m. CST/CDT to 4:00 p.m. CST/CDT). The Magnolia Mobil Gas Station & Little Rock Central High School are closed to the public and not available for public use. The commemorative garden is open daily for public visitation and use from 7:00 a.m. CST/CDT until sunset. Guests may visit the NHS daily; we recommend the NPS App for digital content on days when the visitor center is closed.
Activities
Getting There
From I-630, take Exit 2B (Dr. Martin Luther King Drive). Go south (away from the Arkansas State Capitol) to W. Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive. Turn right (head west) and continue 0.5 miles. The Visitor Center is on the right at the corner of W. Daisy Bates Drive and Little Rock Nine Way. Parking lot entrance is located just before the intersection with Park Street, directly across from the historic Magnolia/Mobil Gas Station and diagonally across from Central High School (still a functioning high school).
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Walk the Footsteps of History
The Elizabeth Eckford Bus Bench, the grounds of Little Rock Central High School, and the Commemorative Garden are integral parts…
Walk the Footstpes of History
Explore the Park's Visitor Center
Start your visit to Little Rock Central High School NHS at the park visitor center - featuring a detailed exhibit…
Stamp Your Park Passport
Little Rock Central High School NHS has several stamps related to the Passport to Your National Parks program. These stamps…
Collect all the ink stamps at Little Rock Central High School NHS.
Visitor Centers
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Visitor Center
The visitor center features a detailed exhibit with interviews, news footage, and audio/video recordings of those directly involved as well as accessible restrooms and a…
Hours: Visitors should always park in the free Visitor Center parking lot. Central High School is an operating public high school with over 2,500 students, grades 9 through 12. Visitors may walk around the reflection pool and front steps of Central High on their own. Museum exhibits and bookstore are all located in the National Park Visitor Center. Traffic/parking can be congested on school days between 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.
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