Former President Jimmy Carter Visits San Diego Air & Space Museum Today

From L to R: Museum Chairman Mark Larson, First Lady Rosalynn Carter,
President Jimmy Carter and Museum CEO Jim Kidrick

Museum selected to host special event
San Diego, California - Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States, made a special appearance today at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park. President Carter’s visit was part of a “Winter Weekend” event associated with his organization, The Carter Center.

The Carter Center's annual Winter Weekend gathering helps support the worldwide peace and health work of the not-for-profit. The five-day event, which includes a live and silent auction of handcrafted items and Carter memorabilia, features program updates from The Carter Center staff and opportunities for interaction with The Center's founders, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.

Since its inception in 1992, the Winter Weekend has netted more than $17 million, providing critical support to The Carter Center.

“For Rosalynn and me, Winter Weekend is a great time to enjoy several days with people who share our interest in global peace and health through the work of The Carter Center,” the 88-year-old former president said.

During his visit, President Carter, a talented woodworker, toured the Museum and its world-class restoration department. He was particularly intrigued by the Museum’s Bell X-1 project—a ground-built replica of the plane that broke the sound barrier by Chuck Yeager in 1947.

President Carter also has ties with the late Wally Schirra, Mercury astronaut and former Museum board member. Both he and Schirra were in the same class at the United States Naval Academy.

 The Carter Center, in partnership with Emory University, is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering; it seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health. For more information on The Carter Center, please visit http://www.cartercenter.org.

The San Diego Air & Space Museum is California's official air and space museum and education center. The Museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, and it was the first aero-themed Museum to be accredited by the American Association of Museums. Now on display: Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, a special exhibition exploring the weird and wacky world of Robert Ripley. Visit www.sandiegoairandspace.org for more information. The Museum is located at 2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101. The Museum and gift store are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with admissions until 4:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.