Jimmy Carter Statue

Engraved on the front of four low, granite benches—because it takes that many—are descriptives of the 39th President of the United States, James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. Those engraved words read: State Senator, Governor, Naval Officer, Man of Faith, Farmer, Conservationist, Global Citizen, Humanitarian, Peacemaker, Teacher, Author, Poet, and Founder, The Carter Center. And he's so much more.

Jimmy Carter Statue at Georgia Capitol Building | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

At the north corner of Washington Street SW and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive is a slightly larger than life-size statue of the only president of the United States of America from the state of Georgia, situated in a granite plaza underneath the offices of the Governor. 

Jimmy Carter Statue at Georgia Capitol Building | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

Jimmy Carter, the only living Georgian (there have been only two) to ever win a Nobel Peace Prize, and one of only four U.S. presidents, was awarded the prestigious award in 2002 "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development."

A reporter in a 1994 article in The Atlanta Constitution theorized that the bronze of President Carter could be the last life-size monument to grace the grounds of the Georgia State Capitol. He was wrong. In 2017, a statue of fellow Georgian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was unveiled on the east side of the Georgia State Capitol Building.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, with Travis, at The Kennedy Center

In the early 2000s, I had the great pleasure and honor of meeting President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalyn Carter. It was a speaker program at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. My company was a sponsor of the series and we not only had box seats for the speaker portion of the program, we also enjoyed dinner with the guests of honor and got to have photos taken with them. I'm the third from the right in the back row, just behind President Carter.

I have met President Carter twice since at book signing events at The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum. He truly is as remarkable and humble as people say.

Jimmy Carter Statue at the Georgia Capitol Building | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

The James Earl Carter, Jr. Tribute Commission was created by The Georgia Legislature and Governor Zell Miller, which is engraved on the left side of the eleven-foot-high Georgia granite monolith. 

Also noted here is that the celebrated sculptor was Atlanta-born Frederick E. Hart, who is famous for the Creation Sculptures at Washington National Cathedral, and The Three Servicemen (also known as The Three Soldiers), at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The sculpture of President Carter was dedicated on Tuesday, June 7, 1994.

Jimmy Carter Statue at the Georgia Capitol Building | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

Sculptor Frederick E. Hart, at the dedication ceremony, said, "I am greatly honored to have been selected to sculpt President Carter, a man who served our country in so many ways. From the Camp David Accords and SALT II treaty, that were among the achievements of his presidency, to the myriad projects he has since undertaken on behalf of human and environmental needs."

He further commented that the informal pose, with sleeves rolled up refer to Carter's generosity, his vision of justice, and his unpretentious delight in "spreading a message of brotherhood."

Diplomatic Patterns...A Rare Look at White House China

You know, if you're anything approaching a "tourist" like me, it really pays to stay up on what's going on in town. Otherwise you're very likely to miss a temporary exhibit that you'd really have loved to have seen. 

That was quite nearly the case yesterday. I'd been to visit the new Freedom Farmers Market (I'll post about that later this week), which is at the Carter Center off of Freedom Parkway, when I decided to pop into the Carter Center Museum. I'm so glad I did! Their current special exhibit finishes today.

Diplomatic Patterns: A Sampling of White House China is an extremely rare glance at some of the plates and presentation pieces used when entertaining at the White House, including artifacts that date back to President Lincoln's time, and earlier.

Diplomatic Patterns, Carter Center Museum

I'll share here a few of my favorite pieces from the exhibition, finishing up with my two personal favorites. But let me say that I absolutely love the piece shown above! I just don't recall which administration it's from, but it was later one.

Diplomatic Patterns, Carter Center Museum

About Diplomatic Patterns, the Carter Center Museum website says, "Very rarely do guests to The White House even get to see the china collection, but visitors to the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum will be able to take a close look at plates used for State Dinners and presentation pieces given to U.S. Presidents. Presidents and first ladies have used White House social events as a means of conveying national honor and extending diplomatic relationships with other countries."

So, a rare treat indeed is seeing this collection in person. Even though I lived in Washington, D.C. for nine years, I never had the opportunity to visit The White House, although I walked and biked by it hundreds of times. I suppose I'll have to make an inside visit as a tourist on a future visit.

Diplomatic Patterns, Carter Center Museum

This service, which includes stemware, is decorated with the presidential coat of arms in gold, a dark green border and an etched gold band. This was part of the Carter service, although Mrs. Carter often used the Truman White House service for state dinners.

Diplomatic Patterns, Carter Center Museum

While there are lots of plates in the exhibition, there are quite a few more unique pieces as well, including this beauty. The inscription on the face of the bowl reads, "Our mission is...to lift the world's dreams beyond the short limits of our sights and to the far edges of our best hopes."

Diplomatic Patterns, Carter Center Museum

The Bald Eagle is prevalent throughout the collection, but that's of course no surprise. What was surprising was just how incredibly diverse the china patterns are from administration to administration. Typically purchased by the First Lady, it's safe to say that each expressed her own personality and patriotism in the selection of her White House china.

Diplomatic Patterns, Carter Center Museum

See, I told you there were some rather unique pieces! I don't recall which administration this piece is from, but it's from a relatively earlier one. I love the shape, but I have to wonder how this particular piece was used.

Upon entering the exhibit, you'll see one of the Carter administration china plates, decorated with images of fly fishing hooks. As it turns out, President Carter learned how to fly fish while visiting Camp David, and evidently he learned quite well how to make his own fly fishing lures...thus the design of the the plate.

Diplomatic Patterns, Carter Center Museum

Okay, now to my two favorite pieces in the collection. Although I love the pieces with gold bands with the golden Bald Eagle in the center, the others are remarkable for a number of reasons.

This soup tureen (above) belonged to the Lincoln White House. The service was ordered in 1865 by First Lady Mary Lincoln shortly before President Lincoln was assassinated. 

Diplomatic Patterns, Carter Center Museum

This particular pattern, was purchased in 1846 by the Polk administration. The 120 dessert plates in the collection—one shown above—were decorated with the shield of the United States and only the dessert plates were decorated with a wide range of flowers, painted in the middle of the plates.

It's said that many think this is the most beautiful of all the White House china.

Again, sadly, today is the last chance to see Diplomatic Patterns—and such a rare opportunity it is. If you are able to make time to get over there to see it, it'll be well worth it. The exhibition is about halfway through the Carter Center Museum, so plan plenty of time to take that in as well. 

ATLANTApix: Carter's Oval Office

Carter Administration Oval Office

Ever been to the White House? Most Americans only get to see it on television or in a Hollywood blockbuster, but Atlantans and Atlanta tourists have the very unique opportunity to experience what it's like to actually walk into the Oval Office.

The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum created an exact replica of the Oval Office as it was during the Carter Administration. 

OK, maybe you can't sit at the President's desk and make a photo with the President and First Lady like you can at Madame Tussauds in New York City, but it's as surreal an experience as you'll find in political Atlanta.

When I visited the Carter Presidential Library in the late 1980s, it was highly educational, but the new Museum is absolutely phenomenal. I've never seen anyone's life so splendidly displayed and conveyed in a manner that inspires one to go out into the world and make a difference.

And then there's the rare opportunity to actually meet President Carter, which I did (again) a few months ago at a book signing. 

The Library holds regular book signings, most with a presentation. Some of the upcoming presenting authors include, Madeline Albright; former New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin; and Harry Belafonte.

ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Hope

"Hope"

I've mentioned "Hope" (the sculpture) a few times in recent posts, so here's a photograph of what she looks like. Quite charming, I think.

Hope, a CherryLion Studios creation, is on the grounds of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in the Rose Garden. That particular capture was made recently, after cooler weather set in, but during the spring and summer the garden is spectacular.

There are several sculptures on the Carter Center's grounds and the Museum is a must-see. It's the only presidential museum I've been to, but I can imagine it holds its ground in prestige...it's really that remarkable. And President Carter himself is there from time to time...I had the pleasure of meeting him (for the second time) at a book signing only a couple of months ago at the Carter Center.

There are a number of book signings and other events that take place at the Carter Center throughout the year.

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Alaska Wilderness League Sculpture

Carter Center sculpture presented by the Alaska Wilderness League

I stopped by the Carter Presidential Library a couple of days ago to scope out the gardens for a future post (I've already blogged about the Carter Center). 

This sculpture was presented to President Jimmy Carter by the Alaska Wilderness League on behalf of all Americans "for his dedicated efforts to enact the greatest conservation measure in U.S. history, Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act."

I was surprised to find that the Center was relatively busy...and it wasn't grade school field trips! There were quite a few seniors who were strolling through the gardens or relaxing in rocking chairs in the main lobby, which overlooks the Center's gardens, basking in the sun.

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

Georgia Capitol Building: Under the Gold Dome

Georgia Capitol Building

The unmistakable gold dome of the Georgia Capitol Building shines like a beacon in the Atlanta skyline that marks the center of Georgia state government and the heart of "The New South." The Georgia Capitol's similarity to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., was intentional. It served as a message that post-Civil War Georgia government was reaffirming its ties and loyalties to the federal government.

The exterior of the dome was, however, not always gold. Sixty-nine years after it opened its doors in 1889, the people of Dahlonega, Georgia, donated 40 ounces of gold to guild the dome—a publicity move advertising that the first gold rush in the United states in fact took place in their community. The dome was immediately gilded, in 1958, and has since been re-gilded twice.

On the particular chilly morning I visited the Capitol, I had the pleasure of an individual guided tour of the Capitol Building.

Georgia Capitol Rotunda

The Rotunda

We started in the Rotunda where the dome's ceiling towered three stories above us; portraits and marble busts of famous Americans (some Georgians) surrounded us; and a Georgia marble and glass floor supported and illuminated us.

Standing in the center of the Rotunda, on the second floor, one can see all four sides of the building. Also on this level, in the east and west wings, are portraits of former Governors, including the only Georgian to ever be elected to the office of President of the United States, Jimmy Carter.

The one exception of the Governor-theme portrait exhibit on the second floor (portraits of other notable statesmen appear on other floors) is that of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which was placed by then-Governor, Jimmy Carter, to symbolize the changing landscape of Georgia government.

The Legislative Chambers

The General Assembly chambers are located on the third floor of the Capitol Building. Photographs of the chambers are permitted when the General Assembly is not in session…a rare opportunity, I thought. Photography throughout the remainder of the Capitol Building is, again surprisingly, permitted.

Georgia Capitol House Chamber

The House of Representatives (180 members) chamber is on the west side of the building. Although the House was not in session when I visited, there were meetings taking place when we arrived. My tour guide took me inside the entryway of the chamber and pointed out that one of the two in-process meetings was likely an orientation for recently elected Representatives.

The Georgia State Senate (56 members) chamber is on the east side of the Capitol Building. An upstairs gallery, open to the public when the Senate is in session, was also a stop on my tour.
A school group was visiting the Senate chamber and their tour guide gave them the opportunity to sit in the "big chair" and make photographs—an excellent enticement to encourage youngsters to learn more about State Government, I think.

Georgia Capitol Museum

Georgia Capitol Museum,
Two-headed Cow

Since soon after the Capitol Building opened, the position of State Geologist was created and tasked with obtaining and displaying geological specimens to promote Georgia's natural resources.

The ensuing museum, located on the Capitol's fourth floor, evolved over the years to include taxidermy, which eventually overcrowded the museum space.

Today, the Georgia Capitol Museum showcases the Capitol and Georgia government, but also contains many artifacts from the original collection, including some oddities such as a two-headed cow (popular with visitors) that was born in Georgia.

At the conclusion of the tour, an information-packed 30 minutes, my tour guide released me to explore the Capitol Building to my heart's content.

Capitol Hill

The Georgia Capitol grounds is adorned with statuary monuments, the first placed in 1907. Individuals whose likeness has been immortalized in bronze for visiting Georgians and visitors include John Brown Gordon (the first Georgia Governor to serve in Atlanta), Joseph E. Brown, Richard B. Russell, Eugene Talmadge, Herman Talmadge, Jimmy Carter, and Ellis Amall.

Towering Magnolia trees, the pinnacle botanical expression of the South, surround the Capitol on all sides.

Georgia Capitol

Other Notes

Scandalous at the time, the exterior of the Capitol Building is covered in sandstone from Indiana. Commendable, even today, the construction of the Capitol, featuring Georgia marble and other local materials, came in under budget—a remarkable feat for any government, right?

The Georgia Capitol Building was recently renovated to look as it did when its doors opened in 1889, including the wall colors and the light fixtures, which are exact replicas (other than their being electric instead of gas powered).

The Georgia Capitol Building became a National Historic Landmark in 1977. The National Park Service of the Department of the Interior recognized the Capitol Building as "an outstanding structure, both architecturally and historically."

As a veteran of the U.S. Navy, I think one very cool opportunity is the ability to acquire a commemorative flag, one that has flown over the Georgia Capitol Building, to be presented to members of the armed services or to other citizens in recognition of certain milestones. It's as easy as completing a form and contributing a nominal fee.

Surprisingly, the building is very open, in design and access, so much so that it's garnered the nickname "The People's House."

The building's north and south wings are available, free of charge (the space is free, catering and other services are available for charge) and relatively easy to reserve, for events such as a press conference, meeting, speech or ceremony.

Return or Revoke

Does my impression with the Georgia Capitol Building warrant a return visit? I will be more than happy to play tour guide for visiting friends and family (and may even soon return on my own). The Capitol is easy to get to, easy to tour, and provides an excellent opportunity to learn about Georgia and its government. Personally, I vote for a return visit.

Touring the Georgia Capitol Building

Date toured: Thursday, November 18, 2010
Location: 214 State Capitol (directions and map)
Parking: For a nominal fee - Steve Polk Plaza parking lot (next to the old World of Coca-Cola building) and the public lot at Underground Atlanta, located on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.
Cost: Free
Hours:
Self-guided tours Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Guided tours at 11:00 a.m. Monday through Friday
Check the website for blackout dates and times.
Closed weekends and holidays
Website: http://www.sos.ga.gov/archives/state_capitol/

Georgia Capitol

Carter Presidential Museum: A President’s Life

President Jimmy Carter

I recently met the 39^th President of the United States, President Jimmy Carter, at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum. I went to the Carter Presidential Museum with the intent to meet President Carter, who was signing copies of his latest book, "White House Diary," and of course to acquire a signed copy for my personal collection of autographed books. My second goal was to tour the museum.

Both were met with success…the museum first.

Originally, the Center was an idea for a place where President Carter imagined he could continue waging peace, fighting disease and inspiring hope around the world following his, as he calls it, "involuntary retirement" from service in the White House.

The Carter Center is an impressive complex that includes international meeting spaces for effecting global change; blossoming gardens for reflection on the human condition; a research library brimming with knowledge; and a museum that fully chronicles the life of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and President of the United States.

This post covers only the tip of the iceberg of the wonders to be discovered in the museum.

Submarine Exhibit

The Carter Presidential Museum is a collection of artifacts, films and replicas that chronicle the life of President Carter. And quite frankly, it's a collection that rivals even that of a Smithsonian museum.

I arrived early on the afternoon of the President's book signing to acquire a book in time for the signing and to have enough time to tour the museum and I was greeted by very friendly and helpful museum staff.

The "all-new" museum, different from many other tourist destinations, begins and ends in the (modest) gift shop. The gift shop was buzzing with activity…others seeking a presidential autograph, people curious about the Center, and museum staff working with security and visitors.

The museum had been closed off for book-signing preparations (the line for autographs would later wrap all the way through the massive museum). My strongly voiced intent on visiting the museum this day translated into convincing one of the museum managers to grant me access. He escorted me past security to the entrance of the museum (I was very impressed with this level of customer service!).

The museum is organized chronologically, noting President Carter's:

• birth and early life,
• Naval career,
• entry into politics,
• his four-year term in the White House, and
• his and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter's global human rights efforts.

The early years exhibits include photographs of his family and historical accounts of Carter's earliest influences, specifically the conflicting personalities of his parents. It also imparts the love and support they provided during his early development.

Chronicling Carter's first career choice, that of a Naval officer serving on a submarine, his Naval years exhibit includes a life-size, somewhat abstract display of the innards of a submarine and it's periscope components. It also includes a dress whites uniform worn by Carter. After Carter's presidency the USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23), a US Navy submarine, was commissioned.

Carter Museum

To-be-president Carter entered politics following the death of his father, influenced by stories of the difference his father made in the lives of people he knew. The exhibits up to this point in his life, and further, cover Carter's life in great detail.

I’ve enjoyed the historical accounts of presidential campaigns in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., but this museum shares an account that covers a scope of detail of a single campaign that the Smithsonian just doesn't have the opportunity to display.

The exhibits covering President Carter's four years in the White House also include artifacts and photographs that tell of U.S. and world events at that time. Of note, the premier of the global cinematic sensation "Star Wars" (a personal favorite) and the most popular television show at the time, "Dallas."

Exciting and unexpected, I happened upon an exact replica of the Oval Office! I'd not reviewed the contents of the museum prior to visiting, so most of what I discovered was unexpected. The Oval Office exhibit was exactly as it was decorated when President Carter was in office, down to the "The Buck Stops Here" desk name plate.

The exhibits noting Carter's term are substantial in diversity of aspect as well as content. They include a sizable rotunda that serves as an opportunity to explore a "day in the life" of the President. Additionally, visitors have a chance to pseudo-explore some of the millions of documents created during the Carter administration.

The final leg of the exhibit, more than a quarter of the museum space, covers the Carter's human rights, philanthropic and charitable endeavors around the world. One particular exhibit allows would-be travelers to "join" the Carter's on a voyage of spreading hope in places desperately needed.

Nobel Peace Prize

The museum, a grand achievement, tells the story of a man who lives the American Dream, served productively in U.S. Politics, and today continues to give heart and soul in waging peace, fighting disease and inspiring hope.

Meeting President Carter

Meeting President Carter, for a second time, was indeed a remarkable occasion. Any occasion to meet such a distinguished human being, someone who has made a lasting difference, makes for a cherished memory. I first met President Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in November 2002. I found myself equally impressed with him at today’s meeting—his courage and strength continue to shine.

Do I plan to return to the museum? There's so much more to explore, so much more to see than what I had the opportunity to see on this visit, so yes, I will definitely return. I will return to see the museum as well as to see the gardens and the library, which will be another blog post.

What would you hope to see when touring the Carter Presidential Museum?

Touring the Carter Presidential Museum

Date toured: Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Cost: Adults $8; Seniors, Military, Students $6; Children (16 and under) Free
Location: 441 Freedom Parkway (map and directions)
Parking: ample FREE parking
Website: http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/CarterPresidentialLibrary

Carter Presidential Center