I Covered The Clinton White House...

Hey Northwest Arkansas family!

Here's a little behind-the-scenes confession: Well before I became your podcast host, I was running around the ABC News Washington Bureau as a production assistant for Nightline and World News Tonight. Yep, that meant plenty of trips down the street to cover whatever President Bill Clinton had brewing at the White House (and trust me, there was always something brewing! 😉).

Fast-forward to today, and I've been living here in Northwest Arkansas for over a decade. I've driven past the Clinton House Museum hundreds of times—literally hundreds—but somehow never actually stepped inside.

Well, that streak officially ended a few weeks ago, and wow, am I glad it did.

This Week's Episode: A Home for Everyone's Story

I sat down with Joshua Youngblood (President of the Board) and Bailee King (the museum's director) for what turned into one of my favorite conversations yet. We recorded it live inside the museum itself, with visitors wandering through as we talked—which felt perfect because this place is still so alive and vital!

What Makes This Place Special?

The Clinton House Museum isn't just a presidential pit stop. This gorgeous 1920s Tudor Revival home is where Bill and Hillary Clinton lived, taught at the University of Arkansas, and got married. But here's what really got me: it's become a home for everyone's story.

Right now, you can check out Andrew Kilgore's stunning vintage Fayetteville photography exhibit alongside the beautiful public gardens and a timeline that stretches from the 1920s to today. The stories here go way beyond politics—they're about service, community, and the connections that make Fayetteville special.

Here's the Thing—They Need Us

This is one of Fayetteville's only history museums, and as city funding winds down, they're running on an annual budget of just $59,000. That's half what it used to be, and barely enough to keep the lights on, let alone preserve this living piece of history.

"We're doing a lot with a little," Joshua told me, and honestly, that hit me right in the heart.

Ready to Be Part of the Story?

Visit: Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10am–4pm, completely free!

Support: Whether it's a donation, membership, or just showing up to an event, every bit helps keep those doors open for future generations.

Celebrate: You can actually host your own events here—meetings, classes, even weddings! How cool is that?

Stay Connected: Follow their Instagram and visit clintonhousemuseum.org for updates on exhibits and events.

As Bailee beautifully put it: "Come see what it was like to live in Fayetteville in the '70s and walk in the footsteps of history—no matter what background you come from, everyone's story belongs here."

Your Mission (Should You Choose to Accept It)

If you've ever said, "I really should visit the Clinton House Museum someday," consider this your official nudge from the universe. Come for the history, stay for the inspiration—and help keep this local treasure alive.

And hey, if you do visit, let us know! We love hearing how our I Am Northwest Arkansas® community is out there exploring and supporting these amazing local stories.

Keep celebrating what makes our corner of the Ozarks so special,

The I Am Northwest Arkansas® Team

P.S. Got stories to share after your visit? Hit "reply"—we love hearing from you and it helps us keep bringing the best of Northwest Arkansas to your inbox!

🎧 Listen to this episode and more at https://iamnorthwestarkansas.com/327

On a final note, we are going to have a coffee get-together to connect with our audience in person this fall at the Stonebreaker Club and Hotel on top of Markham Hill.

We would love for you to join us.

We will announce the date next week, and we hope to see you there. If you have interest in attending, you can also reply to this email.

You're part of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast community because you help us celebrate, preserve, and support the stories that make the Ozarks unique. Thank you!