Little Rock Central High School is a public high school in Little Rock, Arkansas that received national attention in 1957 when nine black students enrolled in the all-white school. The “Little Rock Nine,” as they became known, were the first black students to go to an all-white school after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the integration of schools in 1954. The nine students faced mobs, violence, and threats from those who resisted the Supreme Court ruling. Their perseverance, however, helped pave the way for the integration of schools across the country.

Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site preserves the site of this historic integration. The high school itself is still an active high school, so visitors are only able to take guided tours of the high school during designated times. The historic site’s visitor center is located across the street and contains a small museum with a timeline of the events surrounding the integration of Little Rock Central, along with video clips, photos, and artifacts from that time. The museum gives a sense for what the “Little Rock Nine,” and integration itself, faced; it is quite moving to see the resilience and determination of the students. In addition to the museum, the visitor center also offers a short film that relates the “Little Rock Nine” to other civil rights movements today, giving both a historical overview of Little Rock Central and puts it in the context of contemporary events.

While we were unable to tour the high school, we were able to walk to its entrance and see the unique facade so recognizable from photos of the integration of Little Rock Central. Along our way to the high school, we were able to get a close-up view of an old gas station, also a part of the historic site, that is preserved to look as it did in 1957. Aside from maintaining its appearance from the 1950s, it now functions as a classroom area for the park.

Visiting Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site is a impactful experience, allowing visitors to both celebrate civil rights victories and encourage them in fighting for more today.