Banned: The History of the Little Rock Censor Board

Legacies & Lunch October 2026

During Banned Books Week, Tim Nutt uncovers Little Rock’s censorship battles, from banned books to forbidden films, and discusses the long tenure of the Little Rock Censor Board and events leading to the board's demise. Free lunch provided!

The Little Rock Censor Board operated from the early 1900s to the mid-1970s as an official department of the city. The board had the authority to close entertainment venues and ban movies, plays, and books they deemed obscene or inappropriate for public consumption. The 1973 landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision on obscenity coupled with changing public attitudes contributed to the board’s demise. Tim Nutt will discuss the history of the Censor Board and highlight a few of its obscenity battles.

We are excited to offer a lunch including a sandwich, chips, a cookie, and a drink to in-person attendees in 2026, courtesy of the CALS Foundation. Meals are limited and will be offered on a first-come first-served basis. We cannot accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies, and registration does not guarantee lunch will be available. Registration is not required, but is recommended to help us in planning and event promotion.   

Tim Nutt is the archivist for the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock. Previously, he held the positions of director of the Historical Research Center at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and head of Special Collections at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Nutt was the founding deputy curator of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System, and he served as the founding managing editor and staff historian of the Encyclopedia of Arkansas while at the Butler Center.

Past Legacies & Lunch Events