ABAC's Peanuts, Mules, and Presidents exhibit receives award | Events

TIFTON, GA - News release from Abraham Badlwin Agricultural College

The Peanuts, Mules, and Presidents exhibit opening event at the Gallery of the Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village, operated by ABAC, was selected by the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries to receive one of their annual awards.

The awards are given to the exhibits which exemplify excellence in planning and which make a significant contribution to the cultural fabric of the state. Nominations are based on all aspects of the event.

The Gallery tied in everything including Georgia-grown decorations by Richard and Brenda Rose, local foods served by the Farmer’s Market and Georgia Peanut Commission, a peanut-themed beverage by Tifton’s Hilton Garden Inn, and peanut-related information and sponsorship provided by the Peanut Institute Foundation and ABAC alumnus Frank McGill and his wife, Janet.

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, were in attendance for the grand opening of the event and cut the ribbon for the exhibit.

“Jimmy Carter: Georgia’s Native Son” chronicles President Carter’s remarkable life, from his roots in Plains to his White House years and humanitarian career through The Carter Center. The display is packed with rare photos and artifacts, giving viewers a snapshot of President Carter’s life as a peanut farmer, politician, president, humanitarian, and Nobel

Peace Prize winner. It was assembled last year and displayed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport until September, 2011.

The “Mules & Presidents” exhibit featured a sample of the Wheelers’ work on loan from collectors from across the country and several never before displayed pieces, including a life-size face jug of President Jimmy Carter bearing his signature, documented to be the only piece of pottery in existence bearing the signature of a President of the United States.

The Carter exhibit will remain in the Gallery until April, 2012. Exhibit hours are from 9-4:30 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. The pottery exhibit opened on Oct. 8, 2011 and ran through Jan. 7, 2012.