Jimmy Carter National Historical Park | |
Former U.S. National Historic Site | |
Georgia Register of Historic Places | |
 Jimmy Carter National Historical Park Visitor Center | |
   | |
| Location | 300 N. Bond St.,Plains, Georgia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 32°01′50″N84°25′06″W / 32.0304393°N 84.4182473°W /32.0304393; -84.4182473[2] |
| Area | 71 acres (29 ha) |
| Visitation | 51,580[3] (2018) |
| Website | Jimmy Carter National Historical Park |
| NRHP reference No. | 01000272[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Designated NHS | December 23, 1987 |
| Designated NHP | 2021 |
TheJimmy Carter National Historical Park, located inPlains, Georgia, preserves sites associated withJimmy Carter (1924–2024), 39thpresident of the United States. These includehis residence, boyhood farm, school, and the town railroad depot, which served as his campaign headquarters during the1976 election. The building which used to be Plains High School (opened in 1921 and closed in 1979) serves as the park's museum and visitor center. When Carter lived in Plains, the area surrounding the residence was under the protection of theUnited States Secret Service. The residence is also the burial site of Carter and his wife, First LadyRosalynn Carter (1927–2023). While the residence itself is undergoing renovation and is not open to the public, the adjoining Carter gravesite and memorial garden is publicly accessible.
The Carters returned to Plains in 1981. The former President and First Lady pursued many of the goals of his administration through theCarter Center inAtlanta, which has programs to alleviate human suffering and to promotehuman rights andworld peace. Carter taughtSunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church, which is open to the public.
It was established in 1987 byPub. L. 100–206 as Jimmy CarterNational Historic Site and renamed as anational historical park in 2021.
The formerPlains High School, which both Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter attended, now serves as the park's visitor center and museum.[4] It features a classroom, principal's office, and auditorium which have been restored to look as they would have when Jimmy Carter attended.[4] An exact replica of theResolute desk, which Jimmy Carter brought back to the Oval Office to use as his presidential desk, is exhibited, as is his 2002 Nobel Peace Prize. Other rooms feature exhibits that explain the lives of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, and a short video focuses on the life of Jimmy Carter according to his friends, neighbors, and family.[4]
The farm in the nearbyunincorporated community ofArchery where Jimmy lived from age four in 1928 until he left for college[4] in 1941 has been restored to its appearance before electricity was installed in 1938.[4]
The formerPlains Train Depot, where Carter headquartered his presidential campaign, now serves as a museum focusing on the 1976 Presidential Campaign and Election.[4] It features exhibits which highlight Jimmy Carter's campaign for President. The train depot operated from 1888 until 1951,[4] when all public transportation to and from the area ceased.[5]
The long-time home of the Carters at 209 Woodland Drive, while not open to the public, is a part of the park.[6] The Carters lived in the home from 1961.[7] During his presidency, it was used as hisSummer White House.[7] The intent is for theNational Park Service (NPS) to turn the house into a museum and open it to the public in the future.[8][9]
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter are buried across Woodland Drive from the house. The gravesite and a memorial garden are located near a pond and by a willow tree.[8][10] After renovations which were begun after Jimmy Carter's death to make the area publicly accessible, the Carters gravesite, memorial garden and Woodland Drive were open to the public in July 2025.[11]
Media related toJimmy Carter National Historical Park at Wikimedia Commons| Work |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Books | ||
| Family |
| |
| Homes | ||
| Related | ||
| Topics | |
|---|---|
| Lists by state |
|
| Lists by insular areas | |
| Lists by associated state | |
| Other areas | |
| Lists of specific structure types | |
| Related | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
