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 in Atlanta, Georgia. It holds important papers and items from former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. It also shares stories about his time as president and his family's life.
You can see special exhibits there. These include President Carter's Nobel Peace Prize. There's also a full-size copy of the Oval Office. This is how it looked when he was president. It even has a copy of the famous Resolute desk.
The Carter Library and Museum has two main parts. Some parts are owned and run by the U.S. government. Other parts are privately owned and operated. The library and museum are managed by the National Archives and Records Administration. They are part of the federal government's presidential library system. The privately owned areas hold President Carter's offices. They also house the offices of the Carter Center. This is a non-profit group that works for human rights.
The building is about 69,750 square feet in size. About 15,269 square feet are used for exhibits. There are also 19,818 square feet for archives and storage. The library holds 27 million pages of documents. It also has 500,000 photos and 40,000 objects. Plus, there are films, videos, and audiotapes. These collections cover everything from President Carter's time in office. They also include details about the personal lives of President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Mrs. Rosalynn Carter.
The museum complex is located near John Lewis Freedom Parkway. This road was once called "Presidential Parkway." The land where the museum stands was part of General Sherman's headquarters. This was during the American Civil War's Battle of Atlanta.
Most U.S. Presidents are buried at their presidential museum. However, Jimmy Carter plans to be buried at his home in Plains, Georgia. He will be buried there with his wife, Rosalynn Carter. Their home is owned by the National Park Service. It is part of the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. The Carters have planned for their home to become a museum after they pass away.
Building the Library: A Look at Its History
When Jimmy Carter was president, he wanted his presidential library in Georgia. The chosen spot was in the Poncey–Highland area of Atlanta. This land was originally set aside for a highway. But President Carter stopped the highway plans when he was governor. This was due to protests in Atlanta.
The Atlanta company Jova/Daniels/Busby was chosen as the architects. They worked with another firm from Hawaii. While the building was being designed, Carter's papers were kept in an old post office. Construction started on October 2, 1984. The library opened to the public on October 1, 1986. This was President Carter's 62nd birthday. Building the library cost $26 million. This money came from private donations.
The museum had a big update starting in April 2009. It was finished in October 2009. This was President Carter's 85th birthday. The update cost $10 million.
The first director of the library and museum was Dr. Donald Schewe. He helped move and organize Carter's materials in 1981. In 2014, Dr. Meredith Evans became the director. She is from Atlanta. She had worked in other important library roles before.
The library and museum offer free entry to all students aged 16 and under. Students can take a guided tour or explore on their own. The library and The Coca-Cola Foundation help Georgia schools. They provide money for transportation. This helps students visit the museum for educational activities.
After her death, Rosalynn Carter was honored at the library on November 27, 2023.
See also
