Featured Manuscript Collection: March/April

Little Rock City Playground Collection
MSS 98-14
Finding Aid
The Little Rock City Playground Collection contains clippings, documents and photographs about programs and events held at playgrounds in Little Rock over a period of more than 40 years.

Flyer, 1927.
Location in collection: Series 1, Box 1, File 4
The Little Rock Playground Association was formed in the summer of 1920 by Mrs. Ed Cornish and began supervising playground activities in June 1921. Run independently at first, in 1923 the Association became part of the Community Chest.

The Little Rock Playground Association went out of existence in 1930, and was succeeded by the Little Rock Recreation Commission. This reflected the transfer of financial responsibility for running playgrounds from the volunteer nonprofit organization to the city budget, to be covered by taxes.

The Little Rock School Board also participated in running the playgrounds, as many of the summer programs were held on school playgrounds. Often teachers served as playground supervisors during the summers. In the 1940s the parks and playgrounds came under the Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department.

Winners of the Bathing Beauty Revue, June 29, 1941.
Location in Collection: Series III, Box 1, Item 20

King and Queen of Mitchell playground, August 1938.
Location in collection: Series III, Box 1, Item 19

Members of Parham School softball team, winners of the grade school championship, May 21, 1939.
Location in collection: Series III, Box 1, Item 18

Swim meet at West Side Jr. High pool, August 22, 1925.
Location in collection: Series III, Box 1, Item 16