U.S. Department of the Interior Grant for Little Rock Central High Integration 60th Anniversary

This Cooperative Agreement P17AC01024 (Agreement) is entered into by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), and The City of Little Rock (Recipient).

Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site in Little Rock, Arkansas, was established in 1998. The high school, its 21-acre campus, the former Magnolia Mobil service station, commemorative garden, NPS visitor center, and the former Ponder’s Drug Store are included within the park boundary. Little Rock Central High School is owned, operated, and maintained by the Little Rock School District (LRSD). The school operates as a four-year public high school under the administration of the Office of the Superintendent, LRSD. Current enrollment is more than 2,500 students. The Magnolia Mobil service station, visitor center, and commemorative garden are owned and managed by the National Park Service. The park’s total size is 27 acres.

In addition to establishing the national historic site, the park’s enabling legislation states that the site will “preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit, education, and inspiration of present and future generations, Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, and its role in the integration of public schools and the development of the Civil Rights movement in the United States.” The legislation also mandates that the site cannot affect the authority of the Little Rock School District to administer Central High School or the authorities of the City of Little Rock in the neighborhood surrounding the school. The national historic site is surrounded by the Central High School Neighborhood Historic District.

The objective for this agreement is to plan, promote, and execute the 60th anniversary commemoration of the integration of Central High School, to engage the public in inspiring and educational programs that will promote awareness of the events of 1957, to facilitate discussions of civil rights history, and to recognize the continued efforts of individuals and organizations toward progress in integration over the past sixty years. The project promotes greater public and private participation in historic preservation programs and activities through a reception and film about civil rights, a jazz concert which will include works inspired by the events surrounding Central High School’s integration in 1957, a 3-D video detailing the construction of the historic school building and commemorating the 60th anniversary of desegregation, and a commemoration ceremony to highlight the Little Rock Nine’s first full day at Little Rock Central High School.

STATEMENT OF WORK

RECIPIENT AGREES TO:

1. Provide graphic design, printing, and mailing for all 60th Anniversary Commemoration events
2. Provide honoraria for the Commemoration Ceremony speakers
3. Host a reception for the premiere of the film Marshall
4. Provide the location a sound system, generator, and scaffolding at Little Rock Central High School for continuous screening of the 3-D video Imagine if Buildings Could Talk: Mapping the History of Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
5. Provide security for all events
6. Provide the location staging for the Jazz Concert event at the Magnolia/Mobile Service Station, to include materials and labor for production such as the sound system, lighting, and chairs (delivery, set up, break down, and removal)
7. Provide the location and staging for the 60th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony event, to include materials and labor for production such as the sound system, video equipment, signage, and lighting (delivery, set up, break down, and removal)

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AGREES TO:

1. Collaborate with Recipient, Pulaski County, and other partners to describe the goals and jointly develop the events and programs of the Little Rock Central High 60th Anniversary commemoration
2. Collaborate with Recipient, Pulaski County, and other partners to plan, promote, and execute the Little Rock Central High 60th Anniversary events and programs
3. Provide technical assistance in matters of historical accuracy and context
4. Implement an Incident Command Team to manage safety, emergency response, communications, permits, and traffic control
5. Facilitate volunteer support for the event through the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
6. Oversee events within park boundaries