News Release

Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Increases Phased Access to the Park (Update as of June 14, 2021)

Date: June 11, 2021
Contact: Robin White, 501-374-1957

Following guidance from the White House, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Little Rock Central High School NHS is increasing public access to the visitor center and on park programming on June 14, 2021 which will include:  

 

• Weekday guided tours of no more than 25 (twenty-five) visitors [for more information on scheduling tours, visit the Guided Tours banner on our the front page of our park website] will now include limited access inside Little Rock Central High School; per the Little Rock School District, ALL persons who enter Central High School must wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. Weekday guided tours are given at 9:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. CDT, are by confirmed reservation only, and must be reserved at a minimum of forty-eight hours (2 days) in advance. Groups wanting to bring more than 25 visitors must contact the park in advance to see if an accommodation can be made. 
• Weekend streetscape tours of no more than 25 (twenty-five) visitors [for more information on scheduling tours, visit the Guided Tours banner on our the front page of our park website]. A streetscape tour is a walking interpretive program from the visitor center to Little Rock Central High School that will share the story of the Little Rock Nine, desegregation, education and civil rights without access into Little Rock Central High School. Streetscape tours are given at 9:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. CDT, are by confirmed reservation only, and must be reserved at a minimum of forty-eight hours (2 days) in advance.

• Continued access to the below services and amenities in the National Historic Site Visitor Center:

  • Free admission, open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT with limited services

    • Limited access to park bookstore

    • No more than 25 (twenty-five) visitors will be allowed inside the visitor center at any time

  • Visitors may have to wait to access and may be restricted to 30 minutes in the visitor center on higher visitation days

    • (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. last entry)

  • Exhibits open to no more than 25 (twenty-five) visitors at any time

    • (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. last viewing)

  • Limited informal programming on NHS grounds

    • (selected times between 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
       

Outdoor spaces at Little Rock Central High School NHS remain accessible to the public in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance:

• Commemorative Garden

• Elizabeth Eckford Commemorative Bench

“This decision, made with guidance from federal, state and local health authorities, will allow Little Rock Central High School NHS to further serve our internal and external constituents as well as continue to protect our cultural and natural resources,” said Superintendent Robin White. "The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Little Rock Central High School NHS, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers."

While these above areas and programs are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may continue to be limited. Phase III will eventually allow full access to the visitor center, exhibits, park film, bookstore and scheduled tours of no more than 50 participants. However, moving to Phase III is contingent upon successful implementation through Phase II as well as sufficient staff capacity, relevant personal protective equipment, and current local and state health guidance. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders from the Arkansas Department of Health, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities. As of May 19, visitors who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.  Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website, www.nps.gov/chsc, and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.