Little Rock’s Central High School National Historic Site is joining with other civil rights sites across the south to seek international recognition. Officials announced Tuesday it has applied to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Joe David Rice, tourism director for the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, says the goal is to draw new visitors and international attention to Little Rock. He says while the integration crisis was a mistake, the visitor’s center reflects how much the state has evolved.
"The desegregation crisis of '57 really set Arkansas back for decades," says Rice. Yet, he adds, "We've looked back on the error of our ways. We're proud of our accomplishments, and we're eager for the world to check us out.”
The park is teaming up with civil rights memorials from the south to compete for the designation, which is highly competitive and could take several years to achieve.
Gretchen Hall, president and CEO of the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, says an analysis of just how many tourists the designation could draw is in the works. Being a part of a southern consortium, she says, will set the Central High School visitor center's application apart.
"For this nomination particularly, it's all about the southern civil rights landmarks, and Central High played a key role in that," she said, calling the park an anchor in the UNESCO nomination. "16 sites traversing eight states, I think it's going to be a really great trail,” added Hall.
Partner locations include The Tuskegee Airman site in Alabama, the Martin Luther King Jr. site in Atlanta, and the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, among others.
