About Us

The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute of the University of Arkansas System was founded in 2005 with a generous grant from the Winthrop Rockefeller Charitable Trust. Our educational center with conference and lodging facilities is located on Petit Jean Mountain near Morrilton, Arkansas, on the original grounds of Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller’s model cattle farm.

Winthrop Rockefeller arrived to Arkansas in 1953 and built his home and Winrock Farms on Petit Jean Mountain. Before becoming governor of Arkansas, Rockefeller served as Chairman of the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission and in doing so, he became familiar with the state’s challenges and its opportunities.

Although his intention was not to get into politics, he recognized the needs of the state and ran for governor four times – winning twice and losing twice. As governor, Rockefeller faced issues in the prison system as well as education and government reform. After serving two terms, he was defeated by Dale Bumpers in 1970. He died of cancer in 1973.

That same year, Winrock International was established on the 188 pastoral acres where the Rockefeller Institute stands today. Winrock works globally to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources and protect the environment. Three decades later, Winrock relocated to Little Rock and Washington D.C., and the property reverted to the Winthrop Rockefeller Charitable Trust. Together with the University of Arkansas System, the Charitable Trust decided to develop an educational conference center.

The Charitable Trust funded the development of a master plan that addressed the areas of capital improvements, operations and programs. This plan included the adaptive reuse and remodeling of 30,000 square feet of space; the construction of new lodging facilities; and the addition of pedestrian access, landscaping and demonstration gardens. To date, the capital improvement plan has included over $20 million in renovations and expansions.

Today, the Rockefeller Institute aims to act as a catalyst by combining the legacy and ideas of Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller with the resources and expertise of the University of Arkansas System. Our mission is to develop diverse programs that nurture ideas, policies and activities to make life better in Arkansas.

The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute of the University of Arkansas System is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization.