Statue of Jimmy Carter facts for kids
Jimmy Carter statue (2020)
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| Coordinates | 33°44′58″N 84°23′18″W / 33.7494°N 84.3883°W |
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| Location | Georgia State Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Designer | Frederick Hart |
| Material | Bronze |
| Dedicated to | Jimmy Carter |
The Jimmy Carter statue is a special monument in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It honors Jimmy Carter, who was the 39th President of the United States. The statue is located at the Georgia State Capitol building. It was designed by a sculptor named Frederick Hart and was officially shown to the public in 1994.
The Story Behind the Statue
Jimmy Carter grew up in Georgia. He became the 39th President of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981. This statue was created to honor him. It was officially shown to the public on June 7, 1994.
The artist who designed the statue was Frederick Hart. Hart had actually helped with Carter's election campaign in 1976. When making the statue, Hart mostly used photos of Carter. However, he met with the former President at the Carter Center in Atlanta to sculpt his face.
This statue was the eighth monument placed at the Georgia State Capitol. At first, some people worried there might not be enough space for it. The special event where the statue was shown included Jimmy Carter himself. His wife, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, was also there. Georgia Governor Zell Miller and Jody Powell, Carter's press secretary, also attended. The statue cost about $400,000 to create.
What the Statue Looks Like
The statue of Carter is made from bronze. It stands on a large granite slab. Frederick Hart wanted the statue to show Carter as an "everyday person" and a "working man." So, the statue shows him wearing khakis and with his shirt sleeves rolled up.
Hart decided not to give Carter a big grin on his face. He thought it might look like a funny drawing instead of a serious statue. Carter's arms are open and stretched out, with his palms facing up. His belt buckle has a fish on it.
Behind the statue is a very heavy granite slab, weighing about 12,000 pounds (5,443 kg). The statue is surrounded by a round area with four benches. These benches are also made of granite. Each bench has words carved into it that describe parts of Carter's life. Some of these words include "humanitarian," "peacemaker," and "teacher."
