501-918-3025
calsfoundation@cals.org
calsfoundation@cals.org
Download our coloring sheet highlighting the history and cultural contributions of the sites and people of Little Rock.
Complete the coloring sheet and bring it to the CALS Roberts Library for a prize from June 2, 2025, to July 31, 2025.
(select ‘Fit to printable area’ for best results)
Learn more about these subjects from the links below!
Quapaw Pottery
Before Europeans arrived, indigenous peoples lived in Arkansas, moving with the seasons to hunt, fish, and gather food. In what is now Little Rock, the Quapaw people settled near the Arkansas River, where they could easily travel, fish, and hunt. The Quapaw made important contributions to the area’s culture, especially through their beautiful clay pottery. Many of their pots were shaped like animals or painted with red and white designs. Today, artists like Betty Gaedtke, a member of the Quapaw Nation, continue this tradition, keeping their culture alive and sharing it with others through their art.
Images modeled after artworks by Betty Gaedtke.
More info:
- Te-Mi-Zhi-Ka Pottery by Betty Gaedtke, Quapaw
- Quapaw (Encyclopedia of Arkansas – EOA)
- Native Americans (EOA)
- Pottery (EOA)
Steamboats
Steamboats were essential in helping people travel and trade on the Arkansas River in the 1800s. Before cars and trains, steamboats carried people, food, tools, and supplies up and down the river. They made it easier to explore new places and helped towns like Little Rock grow. Steamboats had big paddle wheels on the stern or side that pushed them through the water, even against the current. They were like floating stores and buses! Because of steamboats, the Arkansas River became a busy water highway, helping connect communities and build the state of Arkansas.
More info:
Little Rock Zoo & Ruth the Elephant
War Memorial Park and the Little Rock Zoo played a major role in helping Little Rock grow. In the early 1900s, most people lived downtown, but these attractions drew people away from the center of town, encouraging neighborhoods and businesses to develop nearby. The zoo opened in what was then Fair Park in 1926 with just a few animals, but by 1937 had grown enough to get its first elephant, Ruth. It now cares for hundreds of animals and is the only AZA-accredited zoo in the state, which means it takes excellent care of its animals. The zoo and park continue to contribute to Little Rock’s growth.
More info:
Daisy Bates
Daisy Bates was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement. Along with her husband, she ran the Arkansas State Press, a weekly newspaper that fought against racial injustice and supported equal rights. In 1957, she helped the Little Rock Nine, the first Black students at Central High School, navigate the challenges of attending a previously all-white school. Her courage and leadership were crucial in the fight for equality. In honor of her contributions, a sculpture of Daisy Bates now stands in the U.S. Capitol, recognizing her as a civil rights leader in American history.
More info:
- Civil Rights Movement (Twentieth Century) (EOA)
- Daisy Bates (EOA)
- Arkansas State Press (EOA)
- Desegregation of Central High School (EOA)
- Little Rock Nine (EOA)
Junction Bridge
The Arkansas River has always been important to Little Rock, helping people travel and trade. Over time, six bridges were built to connect the north and south sides of the river running between Little Rock and North Little Rock. One of the most interesting of the six bridges is Junction Bridge. Built in 1884 as a railroad bridge, it was turned into a pedestrian bridge in 2008. Today, it’s a popular spot for walking and enjoying beautiful views of the river and city. The bridge is also lit up at night, making it a colorful part of Little Rock’s skyline.
More info:
