To get some kind of winter weather this past holiday season, my husband and I took what I’m calling a “Christmas Spirit” road trip. We hit some well-known holiday hot spots such as Helen, Georgia, and The Biltmore House near Ashville, North Carolina. I’m happy to report that I got my fill of holiday cheer AND got a brief snow flurry in Ashville!
Since we were already on the road, I suggested a quick pit stop in Atlanta to visit the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library. Having never visited one before, I was excited to take the opportunity to visit one that wasn’t too far out of our way. I wouldn’t say that I’m specifically interested in presidential history or even in Jimmy Carter himself, but it seemed like a good opportunity to learn more about him and presidential libraries in general.
A common misconception about Presidential Libraries is that they are much like the libraries we all have visited before. These “libraries” are much more like museums- which is fun- but potentially disappointing to those who may have envisioned a cool collection of a president’s favorite books. When visiting a presidential library, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about that president’s personal and professional life through archives, exhibits, and special programs.
I learned many things about Jimmy Carter that I previously didn’t know. I was impressed to learn about his human rights work before, during, and after his presidency. Since my visit was around the holidays, I was able to see the temporary Christmas at the White House exhibit. I never thought I’d get to see actual Christmas decorations used to decorate a presidential tree!
Surprisingly, the thing that stood out the most to me during my visit had nothing to do with Jimmy Carter. During Jimmy's presidency, Rosalynn Carter, the first lady, fought for improved access to mental and emotional healthcare in the United States. Her work continued throughout her life, well after the Carter Presidency ended, through The Carter Center (located on the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library grounds).
One exhibit highlighted the book Lincoln’s Melancholy written by Joshua Shenk. Mr. Shenk was the 1998-1999 Rosalynn Carter Fellow for Mental Health Journalism. This fellowship allowed him to research Abraham Lincoln’s documented struggles with mental health and how they shaped his presidency. I was previously unaware of President Lincoln’s struggles with mental health and was fascinated to learn more. I immediately made a note to track down a copy of the book!
Upon completing the book, I can say it was very well-researched. Joshua Shenk did his best to make a very heavy topic as enjoyable to read as possible, but it is in no way a leisurely read. While Lincoln’s depression is the book's overall topic, you learn a lot about his entire life, including his presidency. You can see how Lincoln’s mental health shaped his professional life. Additionally, this book breaks through the common misconceptions of Mr. Lincoln and paints him more realistically. For example, he is well known for disagreeing with slavery from a political and policy standpoint, but you do learn that he was far from anti-racist. I was also shocked to learn about his tumultuous love life and his occasional contempt towards his “high-spirited” wife.
I encourage you to take the opportunity to visit a presidential library if you have the chance. You never know what you might learn!
