Carter Center, Presidential Library, and Museum

My final stop in Atlanta before heading to the airport was the Carter Presidential Library and Center. I attended several archives meetings at the center when I lived in Georgia - but had never really gone to the library as a tourist. The exhibits are really good and interactive. I remember when I was last here 10+ years ago the archivists were running out of space. The library was built to hold Carter's presidential papers - as all Presidential Libraries are. Presidential Libraries usually document a President's entire life. The problem for the Carter archivists and archives is that Carter has done much more following his presidency than most retired US Presidents - so they hadn't planned for the massive volume of papers and artifacts that have been generated since he left office. Besides a library and museum, the Carter Center's mission is to create a place for peace talks. The Carters have also spent much of their time following the presidency improving human lives around the world.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Monument

This is the MLK Jr. National site near downtown Atlanta. It is a newish monument - and exciting all of the things that are planned and opening. The National Monument is run in conjunction with several other non-profits including the Martin Luther King Jr. Center where MLK and Coretta Scott King are buried. The MLK Center also hosts exhibits and conferences.


Below is the Ebenezer Baptist Church where MLK, his father, and his grandfather all were preachers. It is right down the street from his boyhood home. The church just reopened, remodeled as it was in the 1960s - it just reopened in April 2011, so I felt lucky to get to see it.



Below is the new Ebenezer Baptist Church across the street from the old church.



These are the shotgun houses across the street from the King house. The National Monument wants to buy all of the buildings in the neighborhood - restore the outsides to their 1960s look and then rent the houses out to people (I assume there would be lots of rules for the renters). The monument is near downtown Atlanta - and their goal in buying the neighborhood is to close the streets so it is an entire walking area for visitors.






Below is the King home. One of the stories the guide told was that all of the King children were expected to read the paper, be aware of current events, form opinions about current events, and then defend their position on events over dinner - where they came to the table dressed up. I loved standing at the table imagining those conversations.





Below is the grave site for MLK and Coretta Scott King. It was beautiful and peaceful.

Hotel

This is the hotel where I have been staying... just getting ready to check out. I love it because it is a quick walk to the library and it feels like an old house. The University Inn at Emory.

Emory

Formal entrance to the Emory campus on the corner of North Decatur and Oxford.

Emory is a "green" campus. Recycling is really a priority in a lot of exciting ways. Below is a food garden in the middle of campus.

The Methodist chapel on the corner of North Decatur and Oxford.


I loved this sign. It is in front of a building the apparently want to change in some way. The Emory area is *perfect* (Santa Fe Opera perfect) and an historic district. I like that it is a certificate of "appropriateness."






This is the museum next to the library. I like that the architecture seems traditional, but the entrance is a triangle.

Emory Library

I had another productive day at Special Collections at Emory. I took another - nearly 400 - pictures of letters. It was just most efficient to take pictures. I will have a lot of work to do when I get home. Below are pictures of the Woodruff Library at Emory. Special Collections is on the top floor of the tower.



Below is the Chandler Library entrance. The library is connected to Woodruff with a walkway.

Song of the South

Joel and I went to a house music party this spring and an artist from Tennessee named Kate Campbell was the musician. It was an amazing experience. Her songs hit on my experiences in the South on so many levels. I missed Georgia so much after leaving the concert - I think it is one of the reasons I am here today.

One of her songs is called "See Rock City." Rock City and Ruby Falls are tourist traps on Lookout Mountain (which I visited yesterday - or drove by is more accurate). Rock City, Ruby Falls... there are people standing in the middle of the road directing you into the parking lot, like there is no other place to go. Kate Campbell explained all of the before she sang her song - but I experienced it yesterday.

Georgia is a place where I feel like I grew a lot, and the people around me were supportive beyond measure through the good and the bad - professionally and personally. I feel like I came to Georgia one person, and left the person I am today. I am grateful for all of that. For that reason, the Kate Campbell song below means a lot to me - then and now.




Lyrics to See Rock City :

She put a map and a tube of lipstick
In an old Winn Dixie sack
She pulled her Firebird out of the driveway
Without ever looking back

By the time she got to Georgia
It was nearly half past eight
She bought a ninety-nine cent breakfast
At the Stuckey’s by the interstate

And she don’t know where she’s going
And she’s really not sure why
But she’s got to try and find a way
To live before she dies

She might see Rock City
She might see Ruby Falls
She might change her name to Marilyn
And drop her southern drawl
She wants to climb Lookout Mountain
And see all seven states
She wants to feel the wind through her hair again
Before it gets too late to see Rock City

Well she stopped in Chattanooga
And called her mama’s beauty shop
She said I won’t be home for supper
Give my love to Bo and Pop

And her mama knew the reasons
Without even asking why
A woman’s got to try and find a way
To live before she dies

She might see Rock City
Oh she might buy a souvenir plate
She wants to feel the wind through her hair again
Before it gets too late to see Rock City

Ina Dillard Russell Library at Georgia College

This was amazing to see. This is the remodeled/new library I worked in in Milledgeville. It doesn't look an inch like it did when I worked here. When I was hired the University Librarian told me it would be built within the first several years I worked there. As with any building project it opened later than expected 6-7 years later.


This is the library instruction lab where librarians teach.


This is the library entrance. You walk in to the bottom floor which is a technology lab and coffee shop and then walk upstairs to get into the library space.



These are pictures from the special collections vaults. These boxes hold the university television station tapes and records - the department Joel worked in.


These are hanging storage racks (Nancy doesn't like them - they take up too much room and there are more efficient ways for storing artwork).

This is the Senator Paul Coverdell Collection that I went to Washington DC to see when Senator Coverdell died in office.


I love these study areas.

Milledgeville Texture

Robin and Don

Robin and Don moved from their fairy tale princess house in town to a fairy tale hobbit house out in the country. I loved my visit with them. They are adding craftsman touches to the house. This door to Robin's office is new and has a stained glass craftsman motif.


Part of their house is under ground.


This is the driveway to the cozy house.

Lunch!

Cafe South - my absolute favorite restaurant in Georgia - closed. It was sold and the new owners have kept the style and quality of food high. It is cafeteria service. You go around the food service area and select 1 meat, 2 vegetables, a bread, and a drink.



My lunch was broccoli chicken cassarole, green beans, cream corn, a role, and sweet tea. Heaven!



And most importantly - lunch included time with friends I have missed! Lamonica and Nancy.