Day 5 - Little Rock 10/16/21
Arkansas Road Trip
Frank's Trip
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Little Rock
Little Rock wasn't as interesting as I expected... The H.U. Lee International Gate & Garden honors the founder of the American Taekwondo Association with a symbol of friendship between South Korea and America in this garden park area. The 80 ton Douglas Fir gate was done by South Korean artisans with no nails or screws - everything just "fits" together! The Old State House Museum was nice but the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center was a highlight. It focuses on the history of the Mosaic Templars of America and Dunbar High School - a "Black School of Excellence". The building itself is set in what was the midst of Little Rock's "Black Wall Street". All fascinating history of days, times and a community sadly gone by making us all a little poorer.
Charming and peaceful garden area with a fountain. Great place to just relax. Of particular interest is the wonderful entry gate. Constructed by South Korean craftsmen using Douglas fir the 80 ton gare is apparently constructed without use of nails or fasteners - just the pieces fitting properly into one another.
The Old State House Museum was very nice. I especially liked the legislative chamber - small, simple, really from a completely different time. The various rooms with period furniture in some and First Ladies' gowns was interesting, as well.
This is an excellent museum and very enjoyable as it delves somewhat into the history of the Mosaic Templar of America organization and much more thoroughly into the Dunbar High School - a "Black School of Excellence" and the cultural significance of both of these entities. The current building is a replacement of the original which was built at the same location. The 9th Street location was part of Little Rock's "Black Wall Street" - a thriving community of black residents and businesses. The exhibits here can bring some of what was the black experience in these days to a personal level.