Winthrop Rockefeller Institute

Curious about booking with us? Here are just a couple of things one of our repeat clients had to say about their experience! "You shouldn't be on the fence about coming to the Institute. It's great. The people are amazing, and they meet all your needs, and you will have a fabulous time."

Make your voice heard! Complete our Civic Arkansas survey to help us learn more about your civic engagement. Your responses are anonymous and help us build future Civic Arkansas initiatives wrinst.org/civicsurvey. For more 2025 Civic Commitments, visit wrinst.org/commitments. #CivicArkansas

In honor of #BlackHistoryMonth, we recognize Ben Mitchell, who was a cook on the Missouri Pacific Railroad and later the head chef for Winthrop Rockefeller. Winthrop once wrote that “Chef Ben” was one of the best cooks he had ever known. Ben came to Petit Jean Mountain to be a chef, and despite not having enough work to warrant one, his skillsets and perseverance convinced Winthrop to hire him. The Governor’s longtime secretary, Marion Stevenson, said, “He was a very educated and talented man in his field, and he knew what worked best to serve the numbers we were hosting. He had trained the staff that worked with him. All of them were dressed in black and white, and every course was presented perfectly! He and his team were impressive.” He was known for his professionalism, pride in his work, and keeping his recipes closely guarded. Stevenson ran into Ben sometime after Winthrop passed away in 1973, and when asked about his popular mushroom casserole recipe, he said, “I do not share my recipes. They will go to my grave with me!” His exceptional work ethic and collaboration with different teams is something we hope to honor and reflect at the Institute. Photos courtesy of the UA Little Rock Center for Arkansas History and Culture.

"Today, I went through Walks With the Governor. I was blown away and inspired by Winthrop Rockefeller's dynamic character. I was really curious, and I've read a little bit about him, but I wanted to know more about his impact on Arkansas. I just came away from this session totally inspired to see what kind of a difference I could make. Here's an individual who dedicated his life to the service of others, and he truly was an inspiration. Give yourself the gift of time and come to this beautiful, bucolic setting on top of a mountain to reflect on what's important in society and in your life. Learn a bit about how we can collaborate with others and how we can make this community we live in a better place." - Tom Hoen, Walks With the Governor Participant To learn more about our public Walks workshop, visit our website: wrinst.org/walks.

We're #hiring for a full-time Food Service Assistant Manager! This position comes with an annual starting salary range of $34,320 to $37,440, as well as a full benefits package that includes up to a 10% retirement match. Apply online at wrinst.org/jobs.

Help us improve upon and continue #CivicArkansas by completing this 10-minute anonymous survey. Other stories include a guest blog by our friends at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and a testimonial from U.S. Congressman French Hill.

Make your voice heard! Complete our Civic Arkansas survey to help us learn more about your civic engagement. Your responses are anonymous and help us build future Civic Arkansas initiatives wrinst.org/civicsurvey. For more 2025 Civic Commitments, visit wrinst.org/commitments. #CivicArkansas

Barry McKuin, who served as a board member for 15 of the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute’s 20 years of existence, passed away on the morning of February 18, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was 80 years old. Many of us at the Institute have known, personally and professionally, Barry and his wife, Phyllis, for years. He was as warm and gracious a presence as anyone could want, and his leadership at the Institute laid the path for our organization to flourish. “The Institute’s staff and board of directors join the Petit Jean Mountain and broader Morrilton community in celebrating Barry McKuin’s life as we grieve his passing,” Janet Harris, Institute executive director/CEO, said. “Barry was an unwavering champion of the Institute and our mission. His steadfast commitment and unending support have been instrumental to our success thus far, and his contributions will continue to guide our path as we look toward the next 20 years." Please read more about Barry McKuin and his contributions on our blog: https://wrinst.org/4i6Worv

Community thrives when you shop small! Stop by a local cafe for a fresh-brewed coffee or enjoy a meal at a neighborhood restaurant. Every cup and every bite makes a difference! For more 2025 Civic Commitments, visit wrinst.org/commitments. #CivicArkansas

#CivicArkansas