JIMMY CARTER PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY, #1 (Mark)

To begin with a historical marker . . . almost anything new here in the South has been built on something that was a part of history.

Today walking on the grounds you see this, considerably more peaceful than in the 1860’s.

We were visiting the second presidential library of the 15 in existence.  It is interesting to me to see so much history in one place.  During the time the president serves, and sometimes before and after, these men have been making decision and seeing the world’s events through a lens no one else has. 

Speaking of lenses:

James Earl Carter, Jr. was the 39th President of the United States, serving from 1977 through 1981.  Prior to being elected President he served as the 76th Governor of Georgia, and as a Georgia State Senator. 

An interesting painting of President Carter:

In 1946, while serving in the Navy, Jimmy Carter married Rosalynn Smith.  (She turned him down the first time he proposed.)

Between the time he was in the Navy, and as he started getting into politics, he was indeed a peanut farmer.

A replica of the Oval Office from when President Carter served:

This photo only captures about half the room.  Behind the couch is a less formal area with a fireplace.  President Carter generally was awakened at 5:30 each morning, and he began his day sitting by the fireplace and getting briefed on the important things that happened while he was asleep, and his upcoming day’s schedule.

A detail of the intricate carving on the desk:

After losing his re-election bid, the Carters continued to stay extremely busy.  One of the projects they were deeply involved in was Habitat for Humanity. 

Another was helping the peace negotiations of multiple countries, which led to his winning the Nobel Prize, and working as an election monitor in various countries, trying to help spread democracy.

He has authored 30 books, which he says has been the primary source of their post-presidency family income.