Collections

Jimmy Carter National Historical Park manages a wealth of objects and information in its museum, archives, and library collections. The collections are maintained by the Resource Management Division. Park rangers, volunteers, and museum staff use these collections to conduct research, prepare temporary exhibits, and develop interpretive programs.

Potential Donations

Jimmy Carter National Historic Site and Preservation District (redesignated as Jimmy Carter National Historical Park in January 2021) was established by Congress in 1987 to preserve the key sites and structures located within the historic site associated with Jimmy Carter. The sites and structures within the park all hold significance to President Carter and his relationship to Plains. As part of the effort to preserve and interpret these important sites and the relationship with the Carter family, the park administers a museum collection comprised of more than 200,000 objects and archives.

The park's museum collection includes primarily history objects that encompass the material culture of President Carter’s life. These items include furnishings from the various structures within the park boundaries, campaign memorabilia, objects associated with the Carter presidency, and a large collection of books from Plains High School. The collection also contains a large archive that include the park’s resource management records, some Carter family archives, documents associated with President Carter’s political career, and collections focused on the town and residents of Plains, and school administration in Sumter County, Georgia. Additionally, the park has archeological collections that were collected in compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act.

The museum collection was established to preserve this history – for scholars and researchers; children; visitors to Jimmy Carter National Historical Park: and anyone who wants to learn about this important part of the country’s history. Objects donated, if accepted, are documented, cataloged, and preserved in perpetuity according to National Park Service museum standards.

Because of this mandate to preserve the history of sites, as well as the availability of storage and exhibit space, National Park Service and Jimmy Carter National Historical Park policy aids the park in choosing what objects to accept into the collection. The guidelines used to determine which items to accept for the museum collection are outlined in the park's Scope of Collections Statement. Above all else, the park acquires items that have a direct association with the Carter family and their life in Plains or a direct association to the sites and structures that comprise Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. Each possible donation is reviewed by the collection advisory committee (CAC) to determine if the collection meets the scope of collections statement for the park.

Exhibitions

The National Park Service does not accept conditional donations. The park cannot guarantee that a donation will be placed on exhibit. This is not an indication that the item is less valuable than those which are on exhibit. Rather, the park must be free to design exhibits and its interpretive programs based on its needs and resources. As noted above, the museum collection has great value beyond exhibits. Moreover, this policy does not mean that new donations will not be exhibited; it merely states that the park must have flexibility in carrying out its mandate to interpret their interpretive themes.

Donating Objects

We give each potential donation careful consideration. The Jimmy Carter National Historical Park CAC will evaluate the offer and determine if it contributes to the park’s mission and meets collection policy requirements. Donors should contact the park in advance, rather than shipping or bringing an item to the park unannounced. This will reduce confusion and ensure the potential donation is given the greatest care and consideration. Ideally, a potential donor can provide a photograph and/or detailed description of the object when contacting the park.

All donations to the park collection will be well cared for and preserved. Collection items are available to park staff and qualified researchers. Donors and/or their families are welcome visit the park and view their donations after making an appointment with the curator in advance of your visit.

Those interested in donating items to the park to contact the park’s museum staff by phone at 229-824-4104, e-mail us, or by mail at Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, 300 North Bond Street, Plains, GA, 31780.