About the National Historic Site

Location
Map (html)
The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site is located ten miles west of Americus, Georgia off U.S. HWY.280. Plains High School is the park’s main visitors center. Once you enter Plains turn North on North Bond Street and follow the National Park signs to the school. Bus parking is located in the back parking lot. Please use this for the safety of your students.

Operating Hours
The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site is open year round, seven days a week except on Christmas and New Year’s Day. Doors open at 9:00a.m. and close at 5:00p.m. The Boyhood Farm hours are 10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. The last school group that can be scheduled is 2:30p.m.

Fees
No fees are charged for visiting the park.

Lunch
No food or drinks are sold at the historic site. Students will need to bring a sack lunch and a drink. There are two picnic areas in Plains with tables and restrooms. Reese City Park is located beside the Depot Museum and the Georgia Welcome Center is located one mile east of Plains. Local restaurants will cater lunches if you are interested call:Plains Coffee Shop at 229-824-4520 or Mom’s Kitchen at 229-824-5458. Lunch reservations must be made in advance.

Restrooms and Water
Rest room facilities and water fountains are located at Plains High School, the Boyhood Farm, Reese Park by the Depot Museum, and the Georgia Welcome Center.

Souvenirs
A bookstore is located at the Plains High School Museum. Students may purchase T-shirts, books, postcards, posters, etc. with their teacher’s permission. Souvenirs may also be purchased downtown as well as ice cream, drinks, peanuts, and peanut candies. It is recommended souvenirs be purchased at the end of the field trip.

Group Size
Many of the Education Program activities are limited to one class of up to 24 students for classroom and interactive activities. The small classes are necessary for the program to be effective for classroom, museum and hands on activities. Large group activities are available, please refer to the Large Group Planning Sheet for details.

Field Trip Activities
Planning sheets are available for each grade level. All field trip activities are based on the Georgia Department of Education’s QCC objectives giving students an opportunity to explore, research, and experience history first hand. Each field trip will include information about President and Mrs. Carter and the impact Plains and Plains High School have had on their lives.

Adult Supervision
To ensure a safe and orderly visit, you should have at least one adult for each ten students. These adult supervisors will be directly responsible for the proper behavior of students. Students need to work quietly when in the museums so all visitors have an enjoyable visit.

Arranging a visit
Teachers may schedule a visit to the site by completing the field trip form and electronically submitting it or faxing it to 1-299-824-3441. Field trips will not be booked over the phone. Once your field trip is scheduled, you will receive written confirmation. If you find it necessary to cancel your reservations, please call or write us as soon as possible so another class may have the opportunity to come.

Plains High School

The Georgia Department of Education in cooperation with Sumter County Schools and the National Park Service have produced a special curriculum opportunity for your class. More than a field trip, your class can spend the day learning in a setting that nurtured the 39th President of the United States. Students will be exposed to historic resources that will make learning come alive.

A curriculum has been developed based on active student participation and the Georgia Quality Core Curriculum Objectives. During the field trip, students will have the opportunity to use the resources of the National Historic Site, which includes experiencing President Carter’s 1930’s classroom, the Presidential Campaign Headquarters and his Boyhood Farm.

The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site’s Education Program in Plains, Georgia is accepting field trip requests for this school year. We hope you will make plans to give your class an opportunity to experience history!

Field trips can include the three historical sites in Plains. This includes the Plains High School Museum, Jimmy Carter’s Campaign headquarters located at the Depot and the Boyhood Farm (check out the Virtual Tour for more information). Classroom lessons and interactive experiences are limited to 24 students. However, large group activities are available. If you have questions concerning these activities please see the Large Group Planning Sheet or contact me for details.

Field trip spaces are limited. It is recommended you make your request early in the school year in order to reserve the date you are interested in. Field trips will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Once you complete the Field Trip Request Form and submit it, you will receive a confirmation letter. If we are unable to schedule your class, you will be put on a waiting list and contacted when cancellations occur. If you have any questions, please contact me at plainsed@sowega.net or call me at 229-824-4104 ext.16.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Annette Wise, Instructional Specialist