Weekend Road Trip – Clinton Presidential Library

Clinton Presidential Library

 

Our Weekend Road Trip this week takes us to Little Rock, Arkansas for a tour of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library. The 150,000 square foot structure cost approximately $165 million to construct, and it sits within the boundaries of a 28 acre park. The Clinton Library is the second largest Presidential Library. The Ronald Reagan Library is the largest.

 

William J. Clinton Presidential Library

 

Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham – the college years

 

 

 

Gibson Lucille-style guitar signed by B.B. King, Jonh Fogerty, Eric Clapton, Gloria Estephan, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, John Mellencamp, Garth Brooks, and Lenny Kravitz.

 

Okay, I noticed this guitar is hanging upside down. I don’t know why. Anybody?

 

 

 

 

 

Actual presidential limousine. It’s heavily armored.

 

 

Ballet shoes worn by a young Hillary Rodham.

* Monday’s guest blogger is Dr. Denene Lofland. Her topic is Microscopic Murder. Stop by and bring all your questions about the microscopic bugs that kill, and how to make them work in your stories.

 

15 replies
  1. SweetieZ
    SweetieZ says:

    Man, I was hoping to figure that one out. I tried google and yahoo. It kinda bugged me, having all these cds and big stereo. I figured one band and one pen. But never figured it out. Hootie and the Blowfish ??? !! And now your talking drugs ? Set up.

  2. Lee Lofland
    Lee Lofland says:

    Christine Mouw, the curator of the Clinton Presidential Library told me today that the upside down guitar was donated to President Clinton by the band Hootie and the Blowfish. The guitar was part of the World of Music exhibit that ran from 2005 – 2006 and is no longer part of the library’s exhibit. In fact, it has been returned to storage.

    The exhibit was designed by Ralph Applebaum from New York, and the library staff had little or nothing to do with how the guitar was hung. In fact, the library staff doesn’t know why the guitar was hung upside down, unless it was to make it easier to read the band member’s signatures.

    So, thank you very much Christine for shedding a little light on the mystery.

  3. D. Swords
    D. Swords says:

    Hi, Peg. I never thought about that. You may be right that the signatures have something to do with it. But, it looks to me as though the signature that is now at the top and the one closest to the neck of the guitar are upside down now.

    This is a mystery, but a fun one.

    Come on, Lee, call your congressman and get us an answer, will ya’?

  4. Peg H
    Peg H says:

    Could it be they were more interested in showing off the autographs on the guitar than worried about if it was hanging properly?

    Peg H

  5. SweetieZ
    SweetieZ says:

    Thanks Lee. I have a gift card, so ordered the book at Borders here in the city. One week.

    Just an after thought. Under that guitar pick is a lovely dinner table set up. Where did the china come from ?

    Oh, bad girl !

  6. Lee Lofland
    Lee Lofland says:

    SweetieZ – I contacted the library as well. I have a contact person there whom I’ve used before for research.

    My book is available in several of the Barnes and Noble stores in your area, from San Francisco and Walnut Creek to San Jose. It’s also in stock at the Borders store in San Francisco – Stonestown – Borders
    San Francisco, CA 94132
    Phone: 415.731.0665
    Fax: 415.731.2025

  7. SweetieZ
    SweetieZ says:

    Don’t go nuts on us ! We need you here. I will stay in the loony bin. Meanwhile, it apparently drove me nuts too, I found the library on line and emailed them to see if they respond or knew.

    Becky, call it mellowing with old age, but the Clintons have pulled off some good sap on the campaign trail. Or is that me just buying into it ?

    (Lee, I had to order your book. No where here in San Francisco)

  8. Lee Lofland
    Lee Lofland says:

    Dave – That’s what I’m trying to find out, who donated it. Maybe it was a lefty who played upside down. I know a few people who play guitar like that. In fact, that’s how I learned to play. Left-handed guitars were hard to come by in those days.

    This is driving me nuts. I’ve got to find out who donated that guitar and why it’s upside down!

    Becky – For your college days, or theirs?

  9. D. Swords
    D. Swords says:

    “The Case of the Left/Right Handed Guitar”

    Maybe the person who prepared the display or hung it on the wall was having a bad day and got it backwards. Either no one has noticed, or they just don’t care.

    Who did the guitar belong to anyway? A lefty?

  10. Elena
    Elena says:

    Don’t know about the guitar, might have to bring in a forensic decorator!

    However, I am enjoying these weekend trips – always a surprise destination, and I get to sleep in my own bed at night 🙂

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