A Service of UA Little Rock
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Little Rock Home Of Civil Rights Pioneer Daisy Bates Opens For Tours

55 years ago, a modest home on West 28th Street in Little Rock was where the Little Rock Nine would meet to coordinate efforts to integrate Central High School.

During the days when National Guard troops kept them out of the school, it’s also where they would meet with tutors in the basement to keep up with their studies.

Today the home of L. C. and Daisy Bates is restored to the way it looked in those days and is available for tours from the National Park Service.

On Monday, which was a state holiday honoring Mrs. Bates, two guided tours were held at the house at 1208 W. 28th Street.  KUAR's Michael Hibblen also toured the home with Park Ranger Jodi Morris of the Central High School National Historic Site, which you can listen to above.

"Daisy’s home was the scene of many cross-burnings and rocks thrown through the window, so she was regularly threatened here," said Morris, while standing near a large picture window in the living room.

The home has been restored by the Christian Ministerial Alliance and furnished with items similar to those included in photos taken as the Central High crisis played out.

"She and her husband had just moved into this house in 1955.  It was built in 1954.  So they bought it brand new as their dream home and moved into it and loved the home."

In addition to the guided tours Monday, groups can also schedule tours by calling the Central High School National Historic Site at 501-374-1957.

Michael Hibblen was a journalist for KUAR News from May 2009 — December 2022. During his final 10 years with the station, he served as News Director. In January 2023, he was hired by Arkansas PBS to become its Senior Producer/ Director of Public Affairs.
Related Content