Plains, Georgia Cloudy 70 Degrees
Today was our first day at the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site. https://www.nps.gov/jica/index.htm
As Full Time RV Volunteers first days are becoming quite common place. This is our first time with National Parks Services. We met Ranger Kevin, who took us on a tour of the Boyhood Farm that includes 27 acres of the original farm that was deeded to the NPA in 1987. It is still a working period farm. Two mules, Belle and Bird drive the plows for demonstration farming a few days a year and spend the rest of their days as “pasture potatoes’ as Kevin humorously put it. There are chickens and goats we well. The home where President Carter lived as a boy is now a museum and the rest of the farm that includes, farm hand houses, a blacksmith shop, barns and a small visitors center are connect by paved walkways, with interpretive signs and recordings to listen to along the way. The entire place is ADA accessible as proven by our ‘boss’ who uses a wheelchair. Champ will be working at the farm with the Rangers helping maintain buildings, greet visitors and take care of the animals.
After lunch we took a tour of the former Plains High School, now the Welcome Center and Museum of all things Jimmy Carter and Plains. A small gift shop is there as well. I will spend most of my time working at the front desk greeting visitors and informing them about all the different sites to visit in town that encompass the NPS grounds and exhibits. After spending a couple of hours there getting an introduction that included several short films, we ventured over to the old train depot, that was converted into his Presidential Campaign HQ in 1974, and now serves as an exhibit for things pertaining to his political career.
Perhaps the most unusual thing about is gig were the instructions about do’s and don’ts about interacting with the former President and his wife Rosalyn. Secret Service are present in town, since the Carters live here just a mile or so from the Welcome Center. He moves about town like and ordinary citizen, except for the ever-present Secret Service of course. We already encountered one officer in our first hour here in the convenience store in front of our motorhome site.
We were told today, as NPS Volunteers we will receive front row reserved seats to Mr. Carters Sunday school class at the Baptist Church where the Carter’s are active members. Apparently several hundred people show up on the weeks he teaches Sunday School and most stand in the packed church. It is quite an honor to get this VIP treatment. Most of you know I don’t affiliate with any particular religion and tend to shun organized religion in general. However, I am most willing to participate when the occasion calls for it. Normally that means a wedding or funeral. I think a former President teaching a class qualifies.
I have admired Jimmy Carter’s humanitarian spirit and efforts for most of my adult life. I have always perceived his demeanor as gracious and dignified and I am learning quickly from the local citizens that the image on television is quite genuine. It will be a great honor to meet him in person while we are here. We are drawn to places with rich history. This will add a layer we won’t likely encounter again. This very different place is going to leave quite an impression I suspect.
We received our shirts and officially begin ‘work’ tomorrow. Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday will be our work schedule. I am waiting impatiently for the sun to return to give some decent photography light. Hopefully before they harvest the cotton fields. They are quite beautiful right now and so different looking to this girl from corn and beans country.
Until next time…
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