The Best Ways to Celebrate Black History Month in Little Rock
Little Rock’s identity is inseparable from the contributions and courage of Black Arkansans. As part of the United States Civil Rights Trail, the city offers powerful ways to honor that legacy and reflect on its lasting impact.
Ranked as a Top 10 U.S. Civil Rights Trail destination with six Trail stops, Little Rock’s Black heritage reaches far beyond these landmarks, offering many opportunities to learn, reflect, and celebrate throughout the city.
1. Visit Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
One of the city’s most iconic landmarks, this school became world-famous in 1957 when nine Black students, known as the Little Rock Nine, courageously desegregated its halls. Televised news broadcasts carried their story worldwide, making Little Rock a powerful symbol of the federal government’s commitment to ending segregated education.
The National Historic Site Visitor Center, opened in 2007 to mark the 50th anniversary, offers interactive exhibits and personal accounts that bring this pivotal moment to life. Still an active high school today, it remains the only functioning high school within the National Park Service system.
2. See “Testament: The Little Rock Nine Monument” at the State Capitol
“Testament: The Little Rock Nine Monument” honors the strength and perseverance of the nine students who desegregated Little Rock Central High School. The bronze figures stand on the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol, gazing toward the governor’s office, a powerful reminder of the conflict and courage that shaped their futures.
Created by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette editorial cartoonist John Deering, along with Kathy Deering and sculptor Steve Scallion, the life-size statues invite visitors to step into history. Unveiled in 2005 alongside a commemorative U.S. Postal Service stamp, the monument allows viewers to imagine the tense scene of protestors, reporters, and troops that surrounded the Little Rock Nine in 1957.
3. Tour the Daisy L. Gatson Bates House National Historic Landmark
Daisy Bates, president of the Arkansas chapter of the NAACP, played a pivotal role in the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School. Acting as a liaison between the school board and the Little Rock Nine, she spoke on behalf of the students and arranged for a multiracial group of ministers to escort them to school on September 4, 1957. Her home soon became a critical meeting place and organizational hub for the students and their parents, including on the morning of September 23 when desegregation resumed.
The Bates home endured vandalism, gunfire through its windows, cross burnings, and even a bomb attempt during the tense years that followed. Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and tours can be scheduled in advance to honor and learn from this vital piece of civil rights history.
4. Visit Hearne Fine Art and Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing
In 1988, Archie and Garbo Hearne combined their love for African American culture and history with their entrepreneurial drive to open Pyramid Gallery. By January 1989, the gallery had expanded to a larger Main Street venue, becoming a vibrant community hub for book signings, art exhibitions, demonstrations, and cultural programs for nearly a decade.
In 1997, the Hearnes designed a new space within the Museum Center in the River Market District, and in 2010 they opened Hearne Family Practice and Hearne Fine Art in the historic Dunbar neighborhood. Today, Hearne Fine Art continues to thrive, showcasing rotating exhibits from artists across the nation and serving as a trusted destination for local art lovers. Visitors can also browse a thoughtful selection of books that explore race, class, and social justice issues.
5. Visit Mosaic Templars Cultural Center
Founded in 2001, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center honors the Mosaic Templars of America, a Black fraternal organization established in 1883, and the broader story of African Americans in Arkansas. Through exhibits on social organizations, entrepreneurs, and civil rights activists, the center preserves and celebrates Black culture while inviting visitors to explore this vital heritage.
6. Visit the Dreamland Ballroom and Tamborian Hall Museum
Built in 1916, Taborian Hall was once the cultural and economic hub of Little Rock’s African American community and is the last original building standing on the historic 9th Street corridor. The hall served as headquarters for the Arkansas Chapter of the National Knights and Daughters of the Tabor, and Dreamland Ballroom hosted legendary performers such as Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dizzy Gillespie.
Dreamland Ballroom regularly hosts events and community gatherings, including Dancing into Dreamland, an annual fundraiser by the Friends of Dreamland nonprofit dedicated to restoring the historic venue.
7. Walk the Arkansas Civil Rights Heritage Trail
The Arkansas Civil Rights Heritage Trail honors the sacrifices and achievements of those who fought for racial and ethnic justice in Arkansas. Markers line downtown sidewalks and will eventually connect to the Clinton Presidential Center, offering a powerful walking journey through history. In 2016, the trail earned a Diamond Award from the Arkansas Historical Association for increasing public awareness of the freedom struggle in Arkansas.
No matter where your exploration of Little Rock’s history takes you, download the Arkansas Civil Rights History Mobile Tour app for Apple or Android to guide your journey through the city and its pivotal moments.
8. Taste Tradition at Local Black-Owned Restaurants
Exploring Little Rock’s cultural and historic sites can work up an appetite, and the city’s Black-owned restaurants offer the perfect places to refuel. Sim’s Bar-B-Que, operating since 1937, is celebrated for its signature sauce and classic barbecue. K. Hall & Sons Produce serves fresh produce, crispy fried chicken, catfish, and favorites like Seafood Saturday. Explore our full list of Black-owned restaurants in Little Rock for even more ways to support and celebrate local businesses.
Honoring Black History Month in Little Rock can be both educational and deeply personal. As you explore historic sites, cultural institutions, and neighborhood landmarks, the city’s hotels, dining, and attractions help shape an experience that invites reflection, learning, and connection.
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