Last updated: June 2, 2024
Place
Clinton Birthplace Home
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
Hope, Arkansas
Significance:
Birthplace home of President William Jefferson Clinton
Designation:
National Register of Historic Places
Amenities
6 listed
Accessible Rooms, Accessible Sites, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Wheelchair Accessible
Located at 117 South Hervey Street, this two-story home in American Foursquare design is the first residence of William Jefferson (Blythe) Clinton. Built in 1917 for Dr. H.J.S. Garrett, the home resembles the design of a house in France lived in by Garrett before returning and settling in Hope.
The Cassidy family moved to this house in 1938 while their daughter, Virginia, was in high school. After graduation, Virginia moved to Shreveport, Louisiana to study nursing. In 1943, Virginia Cassidy met William Blythe, a traveling salesman, at Tri-State Hospital in Shreveport. The pair were married after a brief courtship and immediately before Blythe was shipped out to Italy for military duty during World War II.
By May 1946, Virginia Blythe was pregnant with her first child and living in the home in Hope when her husband was killed after his car veered off a wet road outside Sikeston, Missouri. Virginia gave birth to her son, William Jefferson Blythe III, on August 19. Bill, as he was known, was raised in this home by his widowed mother and her parents for the first four years of his life.
Virginia went to New Orleans, Louisiana in 1948 where she trained to become a nurse anesthetist, while Bill stayed with his grandparents in Hope. After her graduation from the program, Virginia returned to Hope. In 1950, Virginia married Roger Clinton and the new family relocated to their own home on Thirteenth Street in Hope.
His grandmother, Edith Cassidy, taught a young Bill, the value of education and helped him learn to read before he began Kindergarten; his grandfather, Eldridge operated a store and modeled respect for all customers, regardless of race or gender, to his grandson.
In this home, Bill learned early lessons about the importance of family, education and racial equality which served him in his public life and during his presidency.
The Cassidy family moved to this house in 1938 while their daughter, Virginia, was in high school. After graduation, Virginia moved to Shreveport, Louisiana to study nursing. In 1943, Virginia Cassidy met William Blythe, a traveling salesman, at Tri-State Hospital in Shreveport. The pair were married after a brief courtship and immediately before Blythe was shipped out to Italy for military duty during World War II.
By May 1946, Virginia Blythe was pregnant with her first child and living in the home in Hope when her husband was killed after his car veered off a wet road outside Sikeston, Missouri. Virginia gave birth to her son, William Jefferson Blythe III, on August 19. Bill, as he was known, was raised in this home by his widowed mother and her parents for the first four years of his life.
Virginia went to New Orleans, Louisiana in 1948 where she trained to become a nurse anesthetist, while Bill stayed with his grandparents in Hope. After her graduation from the program, Virginia returned to Hope. In 1950, Virginia married Roger Clinton and the new family relocated to their own home on Thirteenth Street in Hope.
His grandmother, Edith Cassidy, taught a young Bill, the value of education and helped him learn to read before he began Kindergarten; his grandfather, Eldridge operated a store and modeled respect for all customers, regardless of race or gender, to his grandson.
In this home, Bill learned early lessons about the importance of family, education and racial equality which served him in his public life and during his presidency.