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Jimmy Carter National Historic Site

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter learned the importance of hard work, honesty, virtue, love and mercy in the quaint, rural town of Plains, Georgia. Working as full partners, the Carters have dedicated their lives to peace, human rights and public service throughout the world. Come explore the community that influenced and shaped the life and values of the 39th President of the United States.



 The Basics


Hours:

The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site welcomes visitors with free admission to the park daily. We suggest that you start your visit at the Plains High School which houses the park's Visitor Center and Museum. The historic site is open daily except on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Operating Hours:

  • The Plains High School Visitor Center and Museum
    9:00am until 5:00pm
  • The 1976 Presidential Campaign Headquarters- The Train Depot Museum
    9:00am until 4:30pm
  • The Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm- where Jimmy Carter lived from the age of 4 until starting college
    10:00am until 5:00pm

The Carter Private Residence and Compound is not open to the public.

Address: 300 North Bond Street
Plains, GA 31780
Phone: 229-824-4104
Fax: 229-824-3441


 Map

Jimmy Carter National Historic Site , Georgia Map


Click here for a full-sized map of Jimmy Carter National Historic Site

 Directions

From Atlanta (North)
Take I-75 South towards Macon. Take exit #177 onto I-475 South towards Valdosta. I-475 will bypass Macon and reconnect with I-75 South. Take I-75 to exit #112 (GA-27) towards Vienna. Continue NW on GA-27 (Union Street) for 1.1 miles then turn left on GA-27 and continue for 25 miles to Americus. In Americus, GA-27 connects with US-280 West and becomes a three lane one-way road. Move into the center lane and stay there until the road ends at US-19. Turn left onto US-19 South/280 West and travel in right hand lane. At the second traffic light turn right onto US-280 West/GA-27 West and proceed 10 miles to Plains. At the flashing caution light, turn right onto North Bond Street. The Plains High School (Visitor Center/Museum) will be on your right.

From Atlanta on Interstate 85
Take I-85 South and bear right onto ramp at exit 21 to I-185 South (GA-411 S, Chet Atkins Pkwy). Continue on I-185 S (GA-411 S, Chet Atkins Pkwy) and bear right onto off-ramp at exit 1A to US-27 S (US-280 E, GA-520 E). See directions from Columbus to Plains below.

From Columbus (West)
Take GA-520 South/US-280 East from Columbus to Richland. In Richland, turn left onto US-280/GA-27 East and travel about 10 miles to Preston. Continue on through Preston another 10 miles to Plains. In Plains at the flashing caution light, turn left onto North Bond Street. The Plains High School (Visitor Center/ Museum) will be located on your right.

From Savannah (East)
From Savannah, take I-16 West for about 126 miles to exit #39 towards Cochran/Montrose. Turn left on GA-26 and travel about 17 miles to Cochran. Continue to follow GA-26 South for about 38 miles then bear left on GA-49 South and go 16 miles to Americus. In Americus, GA-49 becomes US-280 West, a three lane one-way road though town. Move into the center lane and continue through Americus until the road dead ends at US-19 South. Turn left onto US-19 South/280 West and travel in right hand lane. At the second traffic light, turn right onto US-280 West/GA-27 West and proceed 10 miles to Plains. At the flashing caution light, turn right onto North Bond Street. The Plains High School (Visitor Center/Museum) will be on your right.

From Valdosta (South)
From Valdosta, take I-75 North to exit #101 towards Cordele. Turn left onto US-280 West towards Americus. Continue on US-280 West for about 30 miles to Americus. In Americus, US-280 becomes a three lane one-way road. Move into the center lane and continue through Americus until the road dead ends at US-19 South. Turn left onto US-19 South/280 West and travel in right hand lane. At the second traffic light, turn right onto US-280 West/GA-27 West and proceed 10 miles to Plains. At the flashing caution light, turn right onto North Bond Street. The Plains High School (Visitor Center/Museum) will be on your right.

From Tallahassee, FL
Take I-10 East to Exit 225 (SR-57 N, Florida-Georgia Pkwy). Take US-19 North ramp and turn left onto US-19 North. Continue on US-19 North until you reach Albany, Georgia. Turn onto ramp for US-19 North (GA-3, Slappey Blvd) and continue North to Smithville, Georgia. Continue on US-19 North through Smithville to GA-308. Make a left turn onto GA-308 and continue on GA-308 until you reach Plains, Georgia. At the caution light in Plains, continue through the light and the Visitor Center/Museum will be on the right-hand side.


 Climate
 

The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site is located in southwest Georgia where the climate is typified by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Temperatures range from a low in the mid 30's in the winter months to a high in the mid to upper 90's in the summer months. Along with the high temperatures during the summer months, the humid conditions add another 5 to 10° to the heat index. Wear comfortable clothing for the season and bring clothing for the possible extremes.

Link to our Albany Weather coverage for more information.

 Fees
 

Entrance to the historic site is free.


 Reservations
 

Reservations suggested for groups.


 Things To Do
 

Plains High School serves as the park museum/visitor center. Visitors find a restored and furnished classroom, principle's office and auditorium. Other rooms feature exhibits that explain the Carters' lives in Plains, including political and business careers, education, family, religion and post presidency. There is a 25 minute video that focuses on the life and accomplishments of Jimmy Carter told by those who know him best, his friends, neighbors and family.

The Plains Train Depot contains a self-guided museum with exhibits focusing on the 1976 Presidential Campaign. It served as a train depot from 1888 to 1951, when passenger service to the area was discontinued. The building was opened in 1976 as Jimmy Carter's Presidential Campaign Headquarters and during that time approximately 10,000 people a day came to Plains to find out about candidate Carter. Many state primary victories, as well as the presidential victory, were held in the streets around the depot.

The Boyhood Farm was owned by Earl Carter, Jimmy's father, from 1928 until the late 1940s. Jimmy Carter lived here from the age of four until he departed for college. The farm is restored to its appearance before electricity was installed in 1938. As you stroll along the walking path, stop and read the wayside exhibits at various points along the way. Push the buttons on the audio stations to listen to Jimmy Carter share stories about his childhood. Visit the boyhood home and explore the other buildings on the farm. Stop by the large barn to greet the goats and Francis, the mule.


 Nearby Attractions
 

Nearby National Park Attractions

  • Andersonville National Historic Site, 20 miles
  • Ocmulgee National Monument, 80 miles
  • Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site, 98 miles
  • Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, 98 miles
  • Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, 133 miles

Other Nearby Attractions

  • Koinonia Farm, 8 miles
  • Habitat for Humanity International, 10 miles
  • Westville, 30 miles
  • Georgia Rural Telephone Museum, 30 miles

Link to our Albany Attractions coverage for more information.


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