little rock central high school national historic site

Been There Publications © 2016 / Christina Isaacs

This site interprets the story of the Little Rock 9 and the desegregation crisis of 1957 when Governor Orval Faubus mobilized the Arkansas National Guard in an effort to prevent nine African American students from integrating the high school.

Junior Ranger Programs offered at this park:

  • The Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Junior Ranger Program
  • The Junior Ranger Park Explorer Ready, Set, Go! Junior Ranger Program

3 ways to access this park’s junior ranger booklet:

  1. Each of these two junior ranger programs has their own book. Both booklets are available in person at the Visitor Center located at: 2120 West Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive, Little Rock, AR 72202
  2. The Little Rock Central High School booklet is available to download and print from the park’s website or by clicking this link: https://www.nps.gov/chsc/learn/kidsyouth/upload/2024-Accessible-CHSC-Junior-Ranger-Activity-Book.pdf The Junior Ranger Park Explorer Ready, Set, Go! Junior Ranger Program is available to download and print from the NPS website or by clicking this link: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/healthandsafety/upload/Jr-Ranger-Park-Explorer-book-FINAL-March-2022.pdf
  3. Or, you may request by phone or email (both listed below) to have the booklets mailed to you. Be sure to include a mailing address and specify how many you need.

How to complete this program:

There is one booklet geared toward children between the ages of 9-12, but all ages are welcome to participate.

  • Children 12 years old and younger should complete at least 3 activity pages in the junior ranger booklet.
  • Anyone 13 years old or older should attempt to complete all the activities in the booklet.

Information to help you complete the activities can be found in a few ways:

  • The answers will primarily be found in the exhibits in the visitor center/museum.
  • However they can also be found by watching the interpretive film,
  • Taking the guided or self guided walking tour,
  • Reading interpretive signs around the park,
  • Reading information on the park website and in the park brochure/Unigrid, or
  • Talking to Park Rangers.

3 ways to turn in your completed junior ranger booklet:

  1. Completed booklets may be turned in, in person at the Visitor Center located at: 2120 West Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive, Little Rock, AR 72202
  2. If you completed the Little Rock Central High School junior ranger booklet or the Junior Ranger Park Explorer booklet remotely, or you didn’t complete the book while at the park, or you weren’t able to turn it in while the Visitor Center was open, you may submit them by email. Send an email to chsc_info@nps.gov with pictures of your completed book and a mailing address. The park will then send you a badge for each booklet completed.
  3. Or, If you are unable to complete the junior ranger program while visiting the park or you completed it remotely, you may mail it to the park at: 2120 West Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive, Little Rock, AR 72202. The Park Ranger will look it over and mail it back to you along with a badge. Don’t forget to include a mailing address.

Estimated time to complete:

While the booklet can be completed in about 30 – 60 minutes on average, we recommend planning a half day to go on the tour, watch the park film, explore the exhibits in the visitor center and explore the outdoor parts of the park.

What you earn:

  • Currently Junior Rangers will be awarded a wood Junior Ranger Badge with the words, “Junior Ranger, Central High School National Historic Site 25th Anniversary 2023” while supplies last.
  • Once the Anniversary badges are depleted, the park will return to issuing a wood Junior Ranger Badge with the words, “Junior Park Ranger, Central High School National Historic Site”
  • The Junior Ranger Park Explorer Ready, Set, Go! Junior Ranger Program earns a wood Junior Ranger Badge with the words, “Junior Ranger, Park Explorer Explore-Learn-Protect NPS”

Monetary costs:

It does not cost anything to participate in this junior ranger program. The booklets and badges are free of charge.

important to know about this park:

  • A great way to start your park visit and learn about the site is by watching the interpretive film available in the visitor center.
  • Be sure to allow time to listen to, read and watch the detailed exhibits which include interviews, news footage, and audio/video recordings of those directly involved.
  • This site is fee-free year-round. No entrance fee or pass is required and parking is free. Accessible parking spaces, bus and RV parking are available at the visitor center. Bus/RV spaces measure 14 feet wide x 40 feet long.
  • Ranger-led tours are offered at 1:00PM CST, however, reservations are required and must be scheduled at least 48 hours (2 days) in advance. Please keep in mind that the tours fill up quickly and do NOT allow access inside Central High School. Call the park phone number (below) to reserve your tour. Click this link for more details about the tour and making a reservation. https://www.nps.gov/chsc/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm
  • Also available is a self-guided, accessible, walking tour with accompanying audio and a transcript. This includes maps, a timeline of the crisis, full written transcripts of the content narration and more and is available free on the National Park Service Mobile App on Google Play and iOS devices.

Park Details

REGIONSouthwest States
CITY, STATELittle Rock, Arkansas
GENERAL LOCATIONThe park includes the grounds of Little Rock Central High School, and the adjacent Commemorative Garden, Magnolia Mobil Service Station, Elizabeth Eckford Bus Bench and visitor center.
RESTRICTIONSVisitors may walk around the reflection pool and front steps of Central High on their own, but there is no public access inside the active, operating high school.
VISITOR CENTER HOURSOpen Tuesday through Saturday 10:00am to 4:00pm. Closed Sundays & Mondays, Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.
PARK WEBSITEwww.nps.gov/chsc
PARK EMAILchsc_info@nps.gov
PARK PHONE #501-374-1957
VISITOR CENTER ADDRESS2120 West Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive
Little Rock, AR 72202
PARK MAILING ADDRESS2120 West Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive
Little Rock, AR 72202
PARK THEMEBuilding America

Other nearby Parks, Junior ranger Programs and attractions:

  • Hot Springs National Park is 54 miles to the Southwest, has a junior ranger program, and is the closest National Park Service site.
  • Arkansas Post National Memorial is 100 miles to the Southeast of the park and offers a junior ranger program.
  • The Buffalo National River is just over 100 miles to the North, is a unit of the National Park Service and offers a junior ranger program.
  • A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site, McClellan-Kerr Project, is 45 miles to the Southeast in Pine Bluff and has a junior ranger program and wood badge. To participate visit the USACE office at 4305 Charles Wooden Rd, Pine Bluff, AR 71601.
  • The Arkansas State Capitol Building is nearby and offers free tours. On the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol, situated facing the former office of Governor Orval Faubus, sit the “Testament Statues”, a set of bronzed statues representing each member of the Little Rock Nine in 1957.
  • Nearby is the Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. Built in 1929, it was the most modern and complete high school constructed for African Americans in the state.
  • The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum is located in Little Rock. Inside there is a model of the Oval Office and Cabinet Room and the presidential libraries have their own presidential library passport book.
  • Petit Jean State Park, a certified Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Site, is located just over 60 miles to the North West and offers an Arkansas State Parks Explorer youth conservation program.
  • Crater of Diamonds State Park is located approximately 100 miles to the South West and is one of the only places in the world where the public can search for real diamonds in their original volcanic source.

Disclaimer

While we have made every effort to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information, Ranger Trek assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site. The information contained herein is provided without guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness, or timeliness. If you come across any errors or omissions, we welcome your feedback so that we can promptly update our information. Parks occasionally modify their junior ranger programs. For example, a park might revise its junior ranger booklet, introduce or discontinue an additional junior ranger program, or alter the badges or patches they award. Some parks may offer extra junior ranger programs and badges only during specific events rather than on a regular basis. Before relying solely on the information provided here, we encourage you to conduct your own due diligence. The primary source for the information in this article is the park itself. We recommend verifying any details with the park via their website, email, or phone.

Please note: All outdoor recreation activities carry inherent risks, and readers should assume personal responsibility for their safety.

Last updated: 9/13/2024

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