Jimmy Carter Library and Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jimmy Carter Library and Museum |
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| General information | |
| Location | Atlanta, Georgia, US |
| Coordinates | 33°45′59″N 84°21′23″W / 33.76639°N 84.35639°W |
| Named for | Jimmy Carter |
| Construction started | October 2, 1984 |
| Inaugurated | Dedicated on October 1, 1986 |
| Cost | $26 million USD |
| Management | National Archives and Records Administration, Carter Center |
| Technical details | |
| Size | 69,750 sq ft (6,480 m2) |
The Jimmy Carter Library and Museum is a special place in Atlanta, Georgia. It holds important papers and items from Jimmy Carter's time as the President of the United States. It also shares stories about his family's life.
This museum has cool exhibits, like the actual Nobel Peace Prize that President Carter won. You can even see a full-size copy of the Oval Office. This is the President's main office in the White House, and it looks just like it did when Carter was President. It even has a copy of the famous Resolute desk!
Some parts of the library and museum are run by the United States government. Other parts are private. The government part is managed by the National Archives and Records Administration. It is part of a system of libraries for all U.S. Presidents. The private areas are where President Carter has his offices. They also house the Carter Center, which is a group that works to help people and protect human rights around the world.
Contents
Exploring the Carter Library and Museum
The building is quite large, covering about 69,750 square feet. About 15,269 square feet are used for exhibits. There's also a huge space for storing important documents and items.
What You'll Find Inside
The library holds an amazing collection of items. There are 27 million pages of documents! Imagine how much history is in those pages. You'll also find 500,000 photos and 40,000 different objects. Plus, there are films, videos, and audio recordings.
These collections cover everything from President Carter's time in office. This includes his decisions about other countries and issues at home. They also share details about the personal lives of President Jimmy Carter and his wife, First Lady Rosalynn Carter.
Location and Surroundings
The museum is located next to the John Lewis Freedom Parkway. This area has a lot of history itself. The land where the museum stands was once part of General Sherman's headquarters. This was during the American Civil War's Battle of Atlanta.
Most Presidents choose to be buried at their presidential museum. However, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter decided they would be buried at their home in Plains, Georgia. Their home is now owned by the National Park Service. It is part of the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park and will become a museum too.
History of the Library
President Carter wanted his presidential library to be built in Georgia. The spot chosen was in the Poncey–Highland area of Atlanta. This land was originally set aside for highways. But when Carter was the governor of Georgia, he stopped those highway plans.
The architects for the project were Jova/Daniels/Busby from Atlanta. They worked with Lawton/Umemura/Yamamoto from Hawaii. While the building was being designed and built, Carter's papers were kept in an old post office building in downtown Atlanta.
Construction and Opening
Construction on the library began on October 2, 1984. The library officially opened to the public on October 1, 1986. This was also President Carter's 62nd birthday! The building cost $26 million to build. This money came from private donations.
In April 2009, the museum started a $10 million renovation. It was finished in October 2009, just in time for President Carter's 85th birthday.
Leadership and Education
The first director of the library and museum was Dr. Donald Schewe. He helped move and organize all of Carter's materials after his presidency ended in 1981.
Since 2015, the director has been Dr. Meredith Evans. She is from Atlanta and has worked in many important roles at other libraries and universities.
The library and museum offer free admission for all students aged 16 and under. Students can take a guided tour with a docent or explore on their own. The library and The Coca-Cola Foundation also help schools in Georgia. They provide money for transportation so students can visit the museum for educational activities.
Recent Events
After her passing, Rosalynn Carter was honored at the library on November 27, 2023. A year later, Jimmy Carter was also honored at the library from January 4 to 7, 2025. After this, he was flown to Washington, D.C. for his state funeral.
See also
In Spanish: Biblioteca y Museo Presidencial de Jimmy Carter para niños
