When Jimmy Carter came to Philadelphia
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Former President Jimmy Carter during a visit to Temple University for a town hall in 1980. Photo: Courtesy of the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries
Ahead of Jimmy Carter's national funeral service Thursday morning, we're looking back at how the late former president embraced Philadelphia's "brotherly love" mantra, making heartfelt connections during visits here over the years.
The big picture: Carter, who died Dec. 29 at the age of 100, is being honored Thursday with a national day of mourning.
Catch up quick: Carter, the longest-living president and a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, served a single term before pouring himself into philanthropic work after losing a re-election bid to Ronald Regan in 1980.
- He was a staunch supporter of Habitat for Humanity and helped build Philadelphia homes still standing today on West Wilt Street.
Carter stopped here at least twice in 1980, during an "official" visit and later while campaigning. He ended a self-imposed travel ban in May 1980, making his first visit to Philly since the 1976 election.
- Carter returned to the Free Library in 2015, posing for photos with then-Mayor Michael Nutter and signing copies of his memoir, "A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety."
During May 1980, Carter hosted a town hall meeting at Temple University and gave a foreign policy speech to the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, per presidential archives.
- He tried mending fences with members of the city's political establishment and residents who were upset over a broken campaign promise to save the Frankford Arsenal, a former Army ammunition plant that shuttered in 1977.
What they're saying: One of Carter's debriefings captured the sentiments of many Philadelphians at the time.
- "The perception in Philadelphia, while not necessarily supported by the facts, is that the city has been injured more than it has been helped by this Administration."
The issues: Carter's advisors prepared him to navigate a minefield of hot-button topics in Philadelphia, which was racked by racial tensions, budget shortfalls, unemployment and police brutality, per the archives.
- Philadelphia was projecting a $167 million deficit at the time, with layoffs expected for more than 1,200 city employees, leading to sickouts and demonstrations.
- Then-Mayor William Green had called some of Carter's budget cuts "regrettable" and estimated the city would lose $60 million in federal grants.
Carter's campaign trip to Philly in October 1980 was more lighthearted.
- He addressed hundreds of people during a Pennsylvania Democratic National Committee fundraiser at the Fairmont Hotel, where he was presented a belated birthday cake, per the president's daily diary.
- Carter also visited the home of Joseph and Bertha Phillips in Lansdowne, where he enjoyed homemade cookies and coffee.
The bottom line: The family steered clear of discussing Carter's performance in office during the visit, per newspaper archives and Joseph Phillips' obituary.
- "I think it would be unseemly to criticize a man who's coming to your house as a guest, especially the president," Joseph Phillips said.