Jimmy Carter: Teach Your Children About the Only President from Georgia
iStock
As an Atlantan, we’re sure you’ve spent a few minutes (or more!) on Jimmy Carter Boulevard, but how much do you and your kids really know about the only president from Georgia? Visit the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum and more nearby attractions to learn about the former president.
Jimmy Carter was born and raised in nearby Plains, Georgia, was governor of Georgia in the early 1970s, and was the 39th president of the United States. At 94 years old, President Carter still plays an active role in the human rights organization he founded here in Atlanta, the Carter Center, and has written several bestselling books on politics and more. He even finds time to teach Sunday School class at his local church in Plains. Learn more about Jimmy Carter with these fun things to do with your kids in Atlanta and beyond:
1. Highlights of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum include a life-size replica of the Oval Office, a “Day in the Life of the President” video presentation, a walk-through cabin setting from the Camp David meetings, and an interactive map table that takes you with the Carters to monitor elections and fight diseases throughout the world. Also, walk through the beautiful gardens on the museum grounds and take in views of the Atlanta skyline. Afterwards, bring your bikes or walk to explore the nearby Freedom Park Trail, Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail and Inman Park. On Saturdays year-around, enjoy the Freedom Park Farmer’s Market.
iStock
2. Tour the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains, Georgia, about two and a half hours from Atlanta. Start at Plains High School Visitor’s Center. Then, tour the Train Depot Museum with artifacts from the 1976 election, Carter’s boyhood farm, and the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail. Stop off at the local shops in Plains for a Jimmy Carter souvenir.
Photo Credit | Dave Powell
3. Attend the annual Peanut Festival in September in Plains, Georgia. Kids will enjoy the parade, kids activities like the SAM Shoreline train rides plus lots of peanut butter treats. Don’t miss the grilled peanut butter sandwiches and waving at President and Mrs. Carter who often attend.
Photo Credit | Dave Powell
4. Visit Jimmy Carter’s Sunday School Class at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. Be prepared to get there early; keeping the kids occupied while you wait in line is essential. We suggest staying in nearby Americus, about 10 miles from Plains, the night before. Make sure to check the web site for the dates President Carter will be teaching Sunday School class.
5. Visit the Martin Luther King, Jr Historic Site, in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood of Atlanta, to learn about another famous Georgian who advanced civil and human rights. For Atlantans and people from all over the world, a visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic site is an educational and inspiring experience. On our recent visit, we learned about the life of Dr. King, about the community where King lived, and the legacy he left behind.
6. Visit the Center for Civil and Human Rights in Downtown Atlanta. Learn about the United States Civil Rights movement and human rights movements around the world.
