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Ink Spo ts
Former President Jimmy Ca r t e r ’s death at age 100 marks the end of an extraordinary life of service to his country and to the world.
Carter visited the Rockbridge area a number of times, though never while he was president. In 1972, while governor of Georgia, he gave the keynote speech for W&L’s Mock Convention. He spoke again at W&L in 1992, and in 2001, he received the Jonathan M. Daniels ’61 Humanitarian Award at VMI. But it was an unannounced visit to the area in 1984 that Mr. Carter and his wife, Roselyn, made to Lexington that I remember, because I was able to meet them in person.
We had gotten a tip at the paper that the Carters were staying at the old Holiday Inn, now Best Western Lexington Inn, on U.S. 11 North. They were just traveling for pleasure up through the mid-Atlantic area from their home in Plains. While the Carters were in town, Mr. Carter took a run with his security detail through the Hunter Hill area, and he visited Natural Bridge for the Drama of Creation light show. We were told that the Jackson House Museum had arranged a special private tour for them the following morning. I decided that we should at least try to get a photo of them at the museum.
The next morning about 8:30, I walked up to the museum and found a couple of obvious Secret Service agents standing by a black Suburban. They asked me what I was doing, and I explained that I was with the local paper, and had heard that the Carters were touring the Jackson House. I asked if I could hang around and get a picture of them at the museum. They said it was up to the Carters but that they would ask.
Mr. and Mrs. Carter were very gracious and posed for a few photos in front of the house. Then, as they were turning to go into the museum, Mrs. Carter asked me if I would like to go with them on the tour. Of course, I said, “I would love to.”
I remember that they were interested in the furnishings in the house, particularly the painted floor cloths and the kitchen. They asked a number of questions of Michael Lynn, then the director of the museum, who was our tour guide. I took a few more photos of them inside the house during the tour, but I didn’t want to spoil their visit with a lot of shooting – this was in the days of film cameras, and 35 mm Nikons made a very audible click when you pressed the shutter button.
After about 45 minutes, the tour wrapped up, and the Carters were on their way. No muss, no fuss.
Looking back 40 years, I remember my impressions of them as being a couple comfortable with each over. They seemed very down-toearth. Both were dressed casually – Mr. Carter in khakis and a polo shirt and Mrs. Carter in slacks.
I believe I’ve seen five sitting or former presidents in Lexington, and at least two others elsewhere. But this was the closest I’ve ever been to one. I’ve heard the presidency described as a gilded cage, where the chief executive can enjoy the opulence of the White House, travel aboard Air Force One and enjoy other perks, but with very little freedom to enjoy the daily pleasures we all take for granted, such as Friday date night out with your spouse.
Besides the Secret Service security, I’m glad he and Mrs. Carter were able to return somewhat to normal life after his term. And a part of that normal life, just a road trip around the country, became a fond memory for me.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
