Curran Hall

Curran Hall. Historic Architecture and Landscapes. , Curran Hall, built in 1842, exemplifies the key elements of Greek Revival style: symmetrical form; horizontal emphasis of the rectangular form; classical elements of columns, pilasters, temple-like porch with pediment, transom and sidelights at the double front door. To compliment the formality of the façade of the house, the landscape is designed in a similarly balanced and symmetrical form. To meet the 21st century adaptive use as Little Rock's Visitor Information Center, plants must fulfill two criteria: be appropriate to mid-nineteenth century Little Rock, and be hardy and easy to maintain in a public setting by a volunteer organization., A clipped boxwood parterre lines the front walk, each section filled with seasonal flowers and bulbs. (A parterre is a garden with low shrubs and flowers planted in a geometrical pattern.) Mixed flowering shrubs and bulbs define the outer boundaries, with a grass lawn between. The heirloom and native shrubs bloom at different seasons, many also having colorful fall foliage and berries. Crêpe myrtle allees define the east and west sides of the house., The Marjem Ward Jackson Historic Arkansas Gardens were designed to showcase antebellum plants and garden style. The design intent was to use plants that were growing in this area in 1842, in order to create a landscape that would be attractive to Little Rock's present day visitors at all times of the year. This fits the description of an historic garden: some plants original to the site; all plants representative of the period (mid-19th century Little Rock), and the layout typical of gardens of the era. Members of the Pulaski County Master Gardener program maintain the gardens., This program was made possible in part by a grant from the Department of Arkansas Heritage, funded by your 1/8 cent conservation tax. Amendment 75.