An average of 111,000 motorists pass by downtown Little Rock on Interstate 30 every day. But when it’s time to plan our summer activities, do we think enough about the rich history embedded in this town? Not just the significant moments, but also the smaller glimpses of humanity found in weathered brick walls. If you’re interested in exploring lesser-known Arkansas history in downtown Little Rock on a weekday afternoon or during your summer staycation, all it takes is some advance planning.
Next, explore Taborian Hall. While the building’s first floor has housed Arkansas Flag and Banner since the early 1990s, it was once the entertainment hub of the 9th Street “Line,” a social and cultural center for the Black community in Central Arkansas. During its heyday, Taborian Hall was a renowned stop on the illustrious Chitlin’ Circuit, hosting performances by legends such as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, B.B. King, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and many others. Similar to Jones’ mural, Taborian Hall, especially the Dreamland Ballroom on the third floor, fell into disrepair before being rediscovered and revitalized decades later. Since 2010, the non-profit organization Friends of Dreamland has been working to restore the space to its former glory. With a grant from the National Park Service received in 2021, the organization hopes to fully restore the historic dance hall. To visit, you’ll need to coordinate your visit in advance with dreamlandballroom.org and the Friends of Dreamland director, Matt McCoy. It requires some effort, but the experience is more than worth it.