Robinson Auditorium Undergoes Renovation

During a recent visit to Little Rock I enjoyed the opportunity to take a quick tour of the recently renovated and expanded Joseph T. Robinson Auditorium.  It has always been a majestic looking building from the outside and has been the site for many productions, political events, concerts and programs over the years.  Thousands of Arkansas people have attended activities in this historic place.  It has now been extensively remodeled and expanded to provide a 21st century facility for the arts and many public activities.  It is something to behold and is located on the corner of Markham and Broadway Streets just east of the Old State House.

The building has been added on to on the west side and has a magnificent view of the Arkansas River to the north, including a closeup scene of the new Broadway Street Bridge, now under construction. The renovated auditorium will seat around 2600 and has balconies and a large modern stage.  It will be worth attending events as the opportunities arise.

While touring the facility during a meeting of the Arkansas Municipal League conference, I began thinking about the namesake of the building. Just who was Joseph T. Robinson?  He is a figure of immense historical significance to the State of Arkansas.  You may remember that the Warren Lumberjacks played and defeated the Joe T. Robinson High School Senators in the 4A playoffs in 2016.  Same Guy!

Joseph Taylor Robinson was a powerful United States Senator, Congressman and Governor from Arkansas.  He went on to become the Majority Leader of the United States Senate and was a candidate for Vice President of the United States in 1928.  Robinson was noted as a strong progressive and carried much of the New Deal legislation proposed by President Franklin Roosevelt. Senator Robinson was known for his promotion of religious tolerance.  When he ran for Vice President it was on the ticket with Governor Al Smith of New York, a catholic.  At the time there was strong anti-catholic sentiment and many voters would not vote for a catholic for President.  The winner of the election in 1928 was Hubert Hoover.  It was not until 1960 that a catholic was elected when John F. Kennedy become President of the United States.

Joe T. Robinson was born in Lonoke, Arkansas.  He was educated at the University of Arkansas and went to law school at the University of Virginia.  He served in the Arkansas state legislature, before going to the United States congress.  He was elected Governor in 1912 and served 55 days before being elected to the United States Senate by the Arkansas Legislature, as it was done at that time.  At various times he was the Senate Minority Leader and then Majority Leader.  He died at age 64.

Joe T. Robinson was known a respected throughout the world and is said to have been friends with the royal family of Great Britain.  He was a forerunner of progressive politics in Arkansas that led to a number of other progressive state leaders of the 20th century.