William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Museum of Little Rock, Arkansas

 

Winter was enjoyed on South Padre Island, Texas.  As I have already dealt with South Padre in slutigrams (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), I’ll just say that we did many of the same things.  Anne and Elaine’s brother Richard, his wife Cody and grandson A.J. stayed with us for part of the  time there.  

While in Dallas, we were treated to “high tea” at the Adolphus Hotel by Richard and Cody.  The hotel was founded by Adolphus Busch, founder of Budwieser Beer.  Budweiser may soon be renamed America to end a long battle with Budvar Beer of the Czech Republic (which country may soon be renamed Cechia.)  High Tea consisted of three courses of tea served with sweets and savories.

A sad location was also visited in Dallas, the grassy knoll with the Texas School Book Depository building in the background.  Both of which were made famous “(infamous?) on November 22, 1963 when President John F Kennedy was assassinated here.

On our way home we made a 4 day detour to Arkansas.  It rained heavily for 3 days.  Our main purposes were to see the Bill Clinton Presidential Museum in Little Rock and to visit friends in Bella Vista, Arkansas.  I’ll focus on the museum in this slutigram.

William Blythe IV was born on August 19, 1946 in Hope, Arkansas.  So what, you say.  Young Blythe’s father was killed in an auto accident 3 months before he was born.  His mother remarried 4 years later to Roger Clinton.  Thus, we now have future president Bill Clinton.   

As an aside, it amazed me how many presidents came from families where one or both of the parents died while the future prez was a child.  How many come to your mind?  James A. Garfield, Herbert Hoover, Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton.  There may be others.

In 1963, when he was in high school, he represented Arkansas as a delegate to The American Legion’s Boy’s Nation in Washington, D.C..  While there he met JFK and in a now famous photo, he is seen shaking JFK’s hand only a few months prior to JFK’s death.

 It was this meeting that set him on a path of public service, which led to his becoming the USA’s youngest governor in 1978

and in 1992 becoming the USA’s 42^nd president rather than a jazz musician.

Elaine and I have recounted several of the presidential museums that we have visited.  They all are interesting.  This one would be in our top 5, as it has both the good and the bad included.  Plus one learns a lot about the man that is not common knowledge.  Bill and Hilary have a 30-minute comedy video that they put together and it is hilarious.  I don’t claim to be a supporter of his, but it was a fun day and a very good video..

The museum covers all periods of his life and treats, in detail, each of his 8 years in the presidency.

A replica of the oval office and dinner-ware used in the White House is on display. Looks a lot like our living room and kitchen settings.

He does not ignore Socks the cat either; which makes me look more favorably upon him.

There are several displays of the gifts received while in office (well, the ones that are acknowledged)

All in all, a day well spent.

While visiting friends in Bella Vista, we toured the Museum of American Art in Bentonville, home of Sam Walton, founder of Wal Mart.  His Daughter, Alice, put up some of her billions to create this collection of art from colonial America up to modern day.  Photos were not allowed, so I’ll leave it up to you to put this on your must see list.

A very short slutigram; the next one will be much longer.