Clinton Birthplace Foundation Visitors Center

We were on a long road trip and stopped by a fast food chain when I saw the signs for this place. We decided to stop by and take pictures. Park Rangers were very informative.

A very pleasant stop to see the humble beginnings of our 42^nd president. After stopping in Hope for gas while traveling to Little Rock, I realized that I was a mile away from the Clinton birthplace. Located off of the main road and next to the Atwood’s grocery store, this refurbished home stands out.
The house itself is a small, two-​level white house with a good-​sized front porch that faces a tobacco shop from across the street. There is a small backyard area that has a swing seat and tricycle, which I have to believe that the president himself used himself while growing up in the late 1940s and prior to moving to Hot Springs. One entrance way to observe the house up close is through the visitors center, which is the brown building on the Clinton home’s left side. You can also access the visitors center via a parking lot area that is sort of hidden yet faces Atwood’s grocery.
Although I arrived after the closing time of 4:30 PM during the weekday, the visitors center keeps the grounds open for a certain period of time. I was there at 6:30 PM and was able to walk around without any problems. There is a memorial garden prior to entering the Clinton home that was dedicated to Virginia Kelly, the president’s mother as well as a small bathroom facility that is located in a smaller brown-​brick building toward the rear of the property.
For those that do not know what the Clinton birthplace home looks like (I had forgotten), don’t make the mistake that I did by thinking it is the visitors center. The signage is so good that you’ll think that it is, yet if you walk the grounds a little bit while on a self-​guided tour, you’ll see that the two-​level white house is the birthplace home. Another bit of history as well as an FYI is that Bill Clinton was not actually born inside of the house, as it is alluded to by locals. He was actually born in Julia Chester Hospital nearby, but anyway.
Pretty good stop altogether if you are a student of historical sites like I am.

«I still believe in a place called Hope.» Well, for me, I believed a place called Hope was a good place to stop, refuel, take a bathroom break, and enjoy a brush with presidential history, on our way to Hot Springs and Little Rock during a Labor Day weekend getaway.
President William Jefferson’s Clinton’s Birthplace is now operated by the National Park Service. This site has a small museum and Clinton’s boyhood home. You start your visit in the museum, which has a few informative displays and a small gift shop. Tours of the home right next to the museum leave every half hour at the top and bottom of each hour.
The park ranger that led our tour was friendly and knowledgeable, answered all of our questions, and even appeared excited to lead the tour. How do you do that when you give the same tour over and over again day in and day out? They must have a passion for what they do, which is great.
The house itself is maintained in good condition and the furniture are period pieces. This allows you to picture what it was like for our 42^nd president growing up as a kid in the late 1940’s. Small, but cozy home. It was a plus seeing an old rotary phone and record player too. If you bring along any younger folks, you can then explain to them the days before smart phones and mp3 players to their bewilderment.
This ended up being about a 50 minute detour. It was about 7 minutes to exit I-​30 and get to the house, 10 minutes touring the museum and waiting for the next tour, 25 minutes touring the home, and 7 minutes to get back on the highway. It was free. It was not crowded when we went. You can take photos. Was it worth it? Well, it depends on what the meaning of the word «worth» is. I think it was.
Note that while signs do guide you to the Clinton Birthplace, be cautious not to drive past it. The Clinton home is a small white house with a green roof. It will be on your left if you take the I-​30 Hervey exit and drive into town. I would suggest you turn left on 2^nd, left on Pine, left on Division, and park on the right side of the road. The entrance will then be on your left.

Friendly staff helped make our experience even better.