Welcome to the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site, a cherished piece of American history tucked away in Hope, Arkansas. This modest two-story house, built in 1917 by Dr. H.S. Garrett, is where the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, spent the formative first four years of his life. Born on August 19, 1946, at the nearby Julia Chester Hospital, young Bill, then known as William Jefferson Blythe III, was raised here by his maternal grandparents, Edith Grisham and James Eldridge Cassidy.
The house stands as a testament to the humble beginnings from which Bill Clinton emerged, shaped by the love and values imparted by his grandparents. While his mother, Virginia, pursued a career in nursing in New Orleans, young Bill was nurtured in a home that was a beacon of equality and community spirit, even during the segregated 1940s. His grandparents ran a small grocery store in a predominantly Black neighborhood, treating all customers with respect and often extending credit regardless of race, a principle that profoundly influenced Clinton’s worldview.
The site gained national recognition when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 19, 1994, under the name ‘Bill Clinton Birthplace.’ It was the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 that transformed it into a national historic site, thanks to legislation proposed by Senator Mark Pryor of Arkansas. The property officially became a unit of the National Park System on December 14, 2010, marking a significant step in preserving this slice of presidential history.
On April 16, 2011, a formal dedication ceremony took place with President Clinton himself and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar in attendance, celebrating the site’s new status. Today, the site is an integral stop on the ‘Billgrimage,’ a tour of significant locations in Clinton’s life, including the Clinton House in Fayetteville and the Bill Clinton Presidential Library.
Visitors to the site can explore the restored house, which faithfully recreates the period of Clinton’s early childhood, and engage with exhibits that narrate his journey from Hope to the White House. The dedicated park rangers offer guided tours, enriching the experience with stories that bring the past to life. This site not only honors the early life of a U.S. president but also serves as a reminder of the American dream, where anyone, regardless of humble beginnings, can aspire to the highest office in the land.
