Today I visited the Jimmy Carter Museum and made a day of it by walking the Atlanta Beltline and eating lunch at one of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta. I met up with two college friends, that even though they have lived here 35 years, had never visited the museum.

Jimmy Carter was president when I was ten years old so I learned a ton about his background and accomplishments. He grew up in Plains, GA and his father was a peanut farmer and strict segregationist. His mother was a nurse and believed everyone was equal. Carter joined the Navy but soon realized he would have more impact on the world in politics. He was a senator for two terms, then the Governor and finally a U.S. president for one term in 1977.

He created the Energy Department, the Panama Canal Treaty and the Egypt/Israel Peace Treaty. He also led a country healing from the atrocities of Vietnam and Watergate. Civil rights, human rights and compassion were most important to him and he relied on his wife, Rosalynn Carter, to be his confidante and advisor while leading.

The museum also houses a conflict center. The gardens were in full bloom and beautiful. The area is peaceful even though it is very close to the Beltline and a lively area of Atlanta. The museum used films, interactive displays, photos and memorabilia to share a great deal of information and certainly was worth visiting.