Virtual Tour of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site

Jimmy Carter National Historic Site

Few U.S. Presidents have had such close ties with where they were born and raised. The rural southern culture of Plains, Georgia, that revolves around farming, church and school, had a large influence in molding the character and in shaping the political policies of the 39th President of the United States.

This tour will introduce you to the various locations around the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site.

The Boyhood Farm

The Boyhood Farm was owned by Earl Carter, Jimmy's father, from 1928 until the late 1940s. Jimmy Carter lived here from the age of four until he departed for college. The farm is restored to its appearance before electricity was installed in 1938. As you stroll along the walking path, stop and read the wayside exhibits at various points along the way. Push the buttons on the audio stations to listen to Jimmy Carter share stories about his childhood. Visit the boyhood home and explore the other buildings on the farm.

Boyhood Home

James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr., 39th President of the United States, was a very unique leader who brought about change, compassion and a belief that a government is only as good as its people. He was the first President to be born in a hospital on October 1, 1924, in the small rural town of Plains, Georgia.

Clark House

He later moved to a farm in the community of Archery at age 4 and spent most of his time working and playing with the African-American children whose families were the bulk of the community of Archery. Living and working with the families in Archery, he saw segregation first hand and noticed that the lives of the African-American families were drastically different from the lives of the white families in the area. The lessons he learned in Archery had an influence on his life from a young age.

Carter Commissary

From the time he spent in the Navy to his post-presidential years, Jimmy Carter's life shows his dedication to public service. This dedication is no more evident than the fact that he is one of four presidents to have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and the only one who received it after he left office. His dedication to human and civil rights is another example of his dedication to public service. He and Mrs. Rosalynn have traveled around the world and have seen the pain and suffering of others.

The Plains Train Depot

The Plains Train Depot contains a self-guided museum with exhibits focusing on the 1976 Presidential Campaign. It served as a train depot from 1888 to 1951, when passenger service to the area was discontinued. The building was opened in 1976 as Jimmy Carter's Presidential Campaign Headquarters and during that time approximately 10,000 people a day came to Plains to find out about candidate Carter. Many state primary victories, as well as the presidential victory, were held in the streets around the depot.

Plains High School

Plains High School serves as the park museum/visitor center. Visitors find a restored and furnished classroom, principal's office and auditorium. Other rooms feature exhibits that explain the Carters' lives in Plains, including political and business careers, education, family, religion and post presidency. There is a 25 minute video that focuses on the life and accomplishments of Jimmy Carter told by those who know him best, his friends, neighbors and family.

Historic classroom (Miss Julia’s Classroom)

Surviving Plains High School Alumni, including President and Mrs. Carter, provided oral histories of the building and what each of the rooms was used for during their tenure as a student in the building. Miss Julia’s classroom was restored and refinished circa 1936, the year before Plains High School was designated as a model school for other schools in Georgia. Miss Julia had a wide and diverse model curriculum and she was even recognized by Eleanor Roosevelt for her forward views on education.

Principal’s Office (Miss Julia’s Office)

The Principal’s Office is closely restored to its 1930’s appearance based on photographic and oral history interviews.

Resolute Desk Replica

The Resolute desk was made from the timbers of HMS Resolute, an abandoned British ship discovered by an American vessel. The ship was returned to the Queen of England as a token of friendship and goodwill. When the ship was retired, Queen Victoria commissioned the desk from William Evenden and presented it to President Rutherford Hayes in 1880. Every president since Hayes—except Presidents Johnson, Nixon, and Ford—has used the Resolute desk, although some chose to use it in their private study in the Residence. The desk was made famous in part by a photograph of John Kennedy at work while his son, John Jr., peeked out the front through the kneehole panel.

Information from http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/furnishings/resolute-desk.htm

Nobel Peace Prize Bronze

Jimmy Carter was awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his decades of humanitarian work. He is the only U.S. President to receive the award while not in office.

Theodore Roosevelt (1906)
Woodrow Wilson (1919)
Jimmy Carter (2002)
Barack Obama (2009)