Jimmy Carter National Historical Park: From Plains to the Presidency

The Jimmy Carter National Historical Park is located in rural Plains, Georgia. With a population of roughly 500 people for the past 100 years, the town of Plains has mostly stayed the same despite being home to the 39th President of the United States. President Jimmy Carter was born in Plains on October 1, 1924, and his wife, Rosalynn, was born there in 1927.

From a small Georgia town, Jimmy Carter’s life embodies the American Dream. In his lifetime, he was a peanut farmer, a naval officer, a Sunday school teacher, an avid outdoorsman, a democracy activist, a carpenter, the Governor of Georgia, and a Nobel Peace Prize recipient. From 1977 to 1981, Carter served as President of the United States of America.

Before any of that… During all of it…. And after it all, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s home was always Plains, Georgia.

Today, the small town revolves mainly around its famous residents. The Jimmy Carter National Historical Park is in town and features several areas of interest in Carter’s life.

Jimmy Carter National Historical Park visitor center.

Plains High School Museum and Visitor Center at Jimmy Carter National Historical Park

We arrived on a chilly, overcast morning. It had been pouring rain off and on in spurts the entire drive there. We arrived just after the Visitor Center opened in the old Plains High School. The large parking lot was soaked and nearly empty.

As my wife and I entered the building, we were immediately greeted by an elderly National Park Service volunteer with a thick, sweet southern twang. “Get yourselves on in here and dry off. Welcome to Jimmy Carter National Historical Park.” “Thank you very much. I responded. “We are excited to be here!”

Reaching out to us, she said, “My name is Mary. If you have any questions, just ask. Here is your map. The gift shop is right here, and over there are the exhibits.” She went on excitedly. “There are lots of great things to see. Jimmy and Rosalynn went to school right here from first grade to graduation.”

“Thank you, Mary!” I said after exchanging a few more pleasantries before heading into the displays. There were exhibits on the various stages and times in the president’s life. A classroom showing what it would have looked like when he attended school here, and a replica of the Resolute Desk which Jimmy Carter used in the Oval Office.

We spent about 45 minutes checking out the visitor center. Before taking off, I asked Mary, “What’s the one thing you think everyone should see while here?” “Oh boy, that’s a doozy. It’s all great, but I would say Jimmy’s boyhood home.” She said. “Just head out of town on Church Street, then take a left on the Old Plains Highway. You’ll run right into it on the righthand side. It’s just a few miles away from here.”

“Perfect, thank you again!” I said back to her. As we were leaving, she yelled out, “Don’t forget to wave to the Secret Service when you drive by the Carter house! They will wave back!”

It’s okay to drive slow, but don’t stop. They don’t take kindly to that!” “Okay, we’ll make sure to do that!” I said with a laugh.

Jimmy Carter’s Boyhood Home

Heading down the road, we quickly came to the Carter Boyhood Farm. Again, we were the only people in the parking lot.

Jimmy’s father moved his family to this house in 1928 when Jimmy was four years old. The modest three-bedroom home was the Carter home until 1949, when Earl Carter, Jimmy’s father, sold the house and the surrounding farmland. Jimmy had left the home in 1941 to attend college. In 1994, the National Park Service purchased the house and 17 acres that make up the park today.

We walked right into the home. I was a little surprised there was not a ranger watching over things. The house and surrounding farm had been restored to their 1937 appearance. We walked slowly through each room. Most of the rooms had audio descriptions of what life was like there for the family, narrated by Jimmy Carter, which I was not expecting and thought was incredibly cool! You learned a little tidbit about his upbringing and childhood in each room. Like looking for spare change that fell out of his father’s pocket in his chair in the living room, seeing the bedroom he grew up in and the daily chores he was expected to do.

Something that caught my eye was the fact that he grew up, for the most part, without indoor plumbing and electricity. It was a big deal for the family when they finally got an indoor bathroom. Cold shower water came directly from the tank on the windmill and was dispensed by a metal bucket with holes in the bottom.

After exploring the home and surrounding farmland, which included some real chickens, we took off and headed back towards town to check out the train depot. Of course, we waved to the Secret Service along the way.

Jimmy Carter Campaign Headquarters at the train depot.

Jimmy Carter National Historical Park: Train Depot & Campaign Headquarters

The train depot served as Jimmy Carter’s campaign headquarters for his presidential run in 1976. Back then, about 10,000 people came to Plains every day to find out about Carter. Many primary victories, as well as the Presidential victory, were held in the streets around the depot. Today, the depot is a self-guided museum with exhibits that focus on the 1976 presidential campaign.

The Jimmy Carter National Historical Park is certainly worth a visit. We very much enjoyed our time.