Rohwer and Jerome: Japanese American WWII Incarceration Camps in Arkansas

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Share Your Experiences and Photos of the March 31 Tornados

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The 1927 Flood

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Vanished: Documenting a Forgotten Era of Little Rock’s Built Environment

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DIY Memory Lab Now Open

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Lost West Ninth Street

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COMMUNITY HISTORY PROJECTS

Community History

Looking north on Main Street from 4th Street

Mapping Downtown Little Rock

Using images from our collection, we have constructed an architectural tour of downtown Little Rock.

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Community History

Arkansas Traveler Project

The Arkansas Traveler Project is a collection of interactive narratives that examine various topics of Arkansas history. The project uses a mapping tool to provide context and illustrate spatial relationships.

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Community History

Wood frame houses with car parked in driveway

Lost West Ninth Street

For many decades, Little Rock’s West Ninth Street was the heart of the city’s African American community. “The Line,” as the street was sometimes known, was home to businesses, churches, fraternal groups, and a host of other entities.

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Art @ Roberts Library

Event

Rohwer and Jerome: Japanese American WWII Incarceration Camps in Arkansas

Rohwer and Jerome: Japanese American WWII Incarceration Camps in Arkansas
Friday, March 10, through Saturday, June 24
Underground Gallery

Between 1942 and 1945, over 16,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated at Rohwer and Jerome, Arkansas. Inmates of all ages documented their experience using charcoal, watercolor, and pencil. The CALS Roberts Library is mounting the first large-scale exhibition of the Gould/Vogel Collection since 2018.

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Event

Sulac and SLUGKNIVES: Super Crush

Friday, February 10, to Saturday, May 27
Loft Gallery, CALS Galleries & Bookstore at Library Square, Roberts Library

Regular Galleries Hours

Unveiling new artworks by local artists Sulac and SLUGKNIVES, this exhibition presents a split-screen reality check featuring works that prowl the edges of the art world like candy-colored heartworms.

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Recent Blog Posts

Blog

Eureka Springs in Stereo

Although the population is only around 2,000, Eureka Springs is arguably one of the most interesting locales in Arkansas. This northwestern Arkansas tourist town situated in the Ozark Mountains is one of two county seats in Carroll County and home to legendary healing springs. The city draws a diverse tourist crowd every year and is known for its spas and bathhouses.

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Blog

Are You My Mother?: Searching the Census

In April 2022, the 1950 federal census was released. It was particularly exciting for many GenXers like me – the children of Baby Boomers. For the first time, I’d be able to find both of my parents in a U.S. Census.

I started by searching for my dad. And there he was, just where I thought he would be –

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Blog

Illuminating History Outside the Headlines

I’ve been contemplating the nature of history recently, as we often do at the CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas. I’m sure that this is not a great surprise to readers of this blog.

This contemplation stems, in part, from listening to an audiobook of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Barbara W. Tuchman’s 1978 book,

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Art Exhibitions

Art on Exhibit at CALS

The CALS Art Exhibitions highlight art by Arkansas artists and showcase exhibitions that promote Arkansas history and culture. The CALS Permanent Collection is displayed in our branches and rotating exhibitions are featured in the Galleries & Bookstore at Library Square.

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Archival Collections

Archival Collections

The CALS Butler Center for Arkansas Studies archival collection offers unique glimpses into the state’s history through documents and photographs. Many of the collections depict the daily life in Central Arkansas by preserving the cultural, political, literary, military, and environmental history of Pulaski and Perry Counties.

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Genealogy

Genealogy Help & Resources

Whether you have been on your family history journey for years or are just beginning, the CALS Roberts Library offers resources for genealogists and researchers at all skill levels.

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CALS Bobby L. Roberts Library of Arkansas History & Art (including CALS Galleries & Bookstore at Library Square, CALS Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, and UA Little Rock Center for Arkansas History and Culture) is open to the public the following days and times: 

  • Galleries & Bookstore at Library Square (501.320.5790) 

    • Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

  • Research Room (501.320.5700)

    • Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    • Saturday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Masks are recommended for those who have not been fully vaccinated. If you are feeling unwell or experiencing COVID-related symptoms, please use our online digital resources. (as of March 1, 2022)