Counts, I. Wilmer (Ira Wilmer), 1931-

After the United States Supreme Court had ruled in 1954 that racial segregation in public schools must be ended, Little Rock planned to gradually integrate its schools over a period of six years. The first African American students were to be admitted to Central High School in September 1957. The nine students were Minnijean Brown, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Thelma Mothershed, Melba Pattillo, Gloria Ray, Terrance Roberts, Jefferson Thomas and Carlotta Walls. When the students attempted to enter the school they were denied entrance by National Guardsmen dispatched by Governor Orval E. Faubus, who explained that his purpose was to keep the peace. After a Federal court order ordered the National Guard withdrawn, there were daily problems with street crowds at Central High School until President Dwight D. Eisenhower placed the National Guard under Federal control and sent troops of the United States Army to patrol the school and assure the African American students of daily entry.

From the description of People protest at Capitol on steps looking south [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. [1959] (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076357

From the description of Governor and Mrs. Faubus leave the Arkansas House of Representatives after address to Special Session [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. 1958. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076347

From the description of Federal troops are posted in front of Central High School [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. [1957] (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076363

From the description of Ernest Green stands outside Central High School stadium on graduation night [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. [1958] (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076346

From the description of Elizabeth Eckford and crowd after she was denied entrance to school [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. 1957. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076336

From the description of People protest at Capitol with crowd growing from street perspective [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. [1959] (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076358

From the description of Soldiers are posted in front of Central High School [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. [1957] (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076364

From the description of People protest at Capitol, view from street [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. [1959] (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076359

From the description of City police restrain crowd in front of school [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. 1957. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076337

From the description of Thurgood Marshall, left, Daisy Bates, foreground, and two Negro students leave federal courtroom [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. 1957. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076339

From the description of Governor Faubus holds a press conference in Arkansas State Capitol [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. 1957. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076340

From the description of People protest at Capitol with National Old Line building in background [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. [1959] (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076355

From the description of Protesters march from Capitol to LRCHS on day integration resumes. [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. 1959. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076350

From the description of People protest at Capitol with speaker at microphone [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. [1959] (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076360

From the description of Governor Faubus and Virgil Blossom give a joint press conference [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. 1959. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076352

From the description of Troops seen surrounding school as negro students enter LRCHS [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. [1957] (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076344

From the description of Judge Davies photographed in his office [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. 1957. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076341

From the description of Elizabeth Eckford walks across street and is turned away by Arkansas National Guard [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. 1957. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076333

From the description of People protest at Capitol on steps looking north [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. [1959] (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076356

From the description of A Negro newsman is attacked by mob [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. 1957. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076338

From the description of Closer view of Federal troops are posted in front of Central High School [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. [1957] (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076362

From the description of Elizabeth Eckford is turned away by Arkansas National Guard [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. 1957. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076334

From the description of Federal troops are seen in background as Minnijean Brown stands among other students during bomb scare [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. 1957. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076342

From the description of Negro students are barred from entering school by Arkansas National Guard [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. 1957. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076335

From the description of Little Rock police chief Gene Smith confronts marchers trying to reach the school as integration resumed [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. 1959. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076349

After the United States Supreme Court had ruled in 1954 that racial segregation in public schools must be ended, Little Rock planned to gradually integrate its schools over a period of six years. The first African American students were to be admitted to Central High School in September 1957. The nine students were Minnijean Brown, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Thelma Mothershed, Melba Pattillo, Gloria Ray, Terrence Roberts, Jefferson Thomas and Carlotta Walls. When the students attempted to enter the school they were denied entrance by National Guardsmen dispatched by Governor Orval E. Faubus, who explained that his purpose was to keep the peace. After a Federal court order ordered the National Guard withdrawn, there were daily problems with street crowds at Central High School until President Dwight D. Eisenhower placed the National Guard under Federal control and sent troops of the United States Army to patrol the school and assure the African American students of daily entry.

From the description of Negro students enter LRCHS under the protection of federal troops [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. 1957. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076343

From the description of Negro students eat Thanksgiving dinner with Mr. & Mrs. L.C. Bates [graphic] / Will Counts [photographer]. 1957. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 47076345