ATLANTA — With Jimmy Carter back in the news after the death of his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, and in advance of Presidents’ Day visitors to the Peach State can retrace the footsteps of the former peanut farmer-turned-politician.
Carter served as the Peach State’s 76th governor from Jan. 12, 1971, until Jan. 14, 1975. He went on to serve as the 39th president of the United States from Jan. 20, 1977, until Jan. 20, 1981.
Here is a broad overview of Jimmy Carter-inspired places to explore:
Jimmy Carter National Historic Site
The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site preserves locations and structures related to Jimmy Carter throughout his life. The site explores Carter’s presidency and presents the history of a small rural Southern town. The park has several notable sites, including Plains High School, the official state school of Georgia, where Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter attended. The historic site also includes his boyhood farm and the train depot where Carter’s presidential campaign was headquartered.
The Carter Center
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter founded The Carter Center in partnership with Emory University in 1982. The non-profit and non-governmental organization aims to advance peace and health worldwide and has helped improve people’s lives in more than 80 countries by resolving conflicts and promoting democracy, human rights, and economic opportunities.
Georgia Governor’s Mansion
The Georgia Governor’s Mansion is a magnificent example of Greek Revival architecture in northeast Atlanta. Renowned Georgia architect A. Thomas Bradbury designed the mansion, completed in 1967 and opened to the public on Jan. 1, 1968. It has three floors, 30 rooms, and sits on roughly 18 acres. Carter was the second Georgia governor to live in the mansion when he served as the state’s 76th governor from Jan. 12, 1971, to Jan. 14, 1975.
Georgia Capitol
The Georgia Capitol, completed in 1889, is the site of the Georgia General Assembly sessions, which begin on the second Monday of January and continue for 40 working days. The building is bustling during these sessions, and visitors can watch legislative proceedings from the public gallery. The Georgia Capitol Museum, operated under the University of Georgia Libraries, is located inside the Capitol building and showcases significant artifacts, such as historic flags and works of art.