The communities of Georgia’s Sumter County, located in west-central Georgia, convenient to I-75, three hours south of Atlanta and only two hours north of I-10, an ideal stopping point when en route to Florida, have a long and complex history dating back to the 1800s. On this land, soldiers young and old died to defend their homeland and in hope of a united nation. It’s where a community of farmers brought together people of all races and where activists led by John Lewis joined the Civil Rights Movement. It’s also where a humble peanut farmer dreamt of bettering the lives of others on his road to the White House. We honor the history through different viewpoints to remind others of the past while learning lessons for the future about how to treat our fellow humans.
Never forget the past. Andersonville National Historic Site is a former Civil War internment camp for Union soldiers and an important stop for all visitors. Over 10,000 men died in the unsanitary conditions and the prison camp now stands as a reminder of the tragedies of war beyond the battlefield. The National Prisoner of War Museum is also at the site, documenting America’s prisoners of war from the founding of our country to present conflicts. Give yourself plenty of time to wander, catching the films and reading the exhibits on the standards for prisoners worldwide.
Coming from a rural cotton farm, Plains native Jimmy Carter campaigned for racial tolerance from his first campaign for Georgia State Senator. He later ran for governor against notorious segregationist Lester Maddox. The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains features museums in his high school and boyhood farm to inform visitors on the President’s life and continuing fight for human rights worldwide through The Carter Center. You can also attend Sunday school at his local church during your visit.
The legacy of Koinonia Farm speaks for itself, founded in 1942 as an intentional farming community. Black and white residents lived and worked harmoniously together, paid equally and sharing meals. The farm welcomed conscientious objectors from World War II and provided low-income housing for those in need. The KKK and other groups attempted to boycott and force them out over the years, but they persisted through their ideals and continue their mail order business today. Try their Georgia Grown pecans, peanuts, jellies, and honey.