Discovery Trunks
The traveling trunks are designed for teachers to use with students before their scheduled field trip. The trunks include teaching resources, supplies and lesson plans with GPS objectives identified for each activity.
If you would like to request a trunk, please complete the request form. Trunks will be mailed to you two weeks before your scheduled trip and can be returned the day of your field trip.

Traveling Trunks
Plains, Peanuts and a President
Books, videos about Plains and President Carter
Cotton
Books, videos, cotton carders and cotton
Oral Histories
Tape players, tapes and oral history activities
Object Analysis
1930's non-electrical objects and activities
Archeology (can not be mailed, must be picked up in Plains)
Tools and information about archeology
First Lady from Plains (Class Set)
Class set of Rosalynn Carter's autobiography
An Hour Before Daylight (Class Set)
Class set and audio of Jimmy Carter read this book
1930's Toys and Games
Common 1930's toys and games
Christmas in Plains
One book and audio with President Carter reading
An Hour Before Daylight
One book and audio with President Carter reading
Sumter County Talking Walls
Maps, documents and preservation information

Request a Traveling Trunk: Click Here

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.