Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm in Archery, Georgia, part of Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
While the Carter Home in Plains is currently off limits to the public, visitors to Jimmy Carter National Historical Park are welcome to tour the farm where he lived from the age of four until he left for college (1928-1941). There was no running water at the farm until 1935 and no electricity until 1938. The farm remained in the Carter family until 1949 when Earl Carter, Jimmy’s dad, sold it and moved the family back to Plains (the farm is located three miles from downtown Plains in the rural community of Archery).
To the people of Plains, Archery was the sticks. Carter is quoted as saying, “During my childhood I never considered myself a part of the Plains society, but always thought of myself as a visitor when I entered that metropolitan community.” I’m not sure what the population of Plains was back in the 1930s, but it’s 750 today, so you can imagine what Archery was like.
Visitors can tour the farm and grounds on their own every day from 10 AM to 5 PM (except when closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s days). There are plenty of wayside exhibits on the grounds that tell the history of the farm. In some buildings you can listen to an audio commentary by Jimmy Carter himself. Listen to him reminisce about his boyhood years on the farm. There is also a restroom facility at the parking lot.
Restroom building at the Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm, part of Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
The farm is comprised of five different sites of interest. See the following web pages for more details.
Keep in mind that the Carter Farm is more than just an outdoor museum dedicated to Jimmy Carter’s boyhood days, it is an actual farm where traditional crops and animals are grown and raised. However, it is not a petting zoo, so be careful about trying to touch the animals when they come close to the fence. You can do it, but you could get bitten.
Agricultural field at the Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm, part of Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
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Last updated on April 6, 2025
