From the archives: When former Pres. Jimmy Carter helped build houses in Eastern KY

Andrew Henderson

Former Democratic President Jimmy Carter made history today as the oldest living president and longest-lived president in U.S. history.

Carter, a native of Plains, Georgia, turned 100 years old Tuesday. The 39th president of the United States was elected in 1976, defeating sitting President Gerald Ford. He was president from 1977 to 1981, and lost his reelection bid to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter was governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975, a member of the state Senate from 1963 to 1967 and a member of the U.S. Navy.

Since leaving the White House, Carter’s post-presidential work has focused on building houses with Habitat for Humanity. Carter, and his wife Rosalynn, were long involved with Habitat for Humanity going back 40 years to when the couple went to New York City on a build in 1984, according to the Associated Press. Rosalynn Carter died Nov. 19, 2023 at the age of 96.

In June 1997, the Carters came to the hills of Eastern Kentucky on a Habitat for Humanity project called “Hammering in the Hills,” an ambitious plan to build 52 houses in one week in Appalachia. At the time, Jimmy Carter was 73.

The front page of the Lexington Herald-Leader on June 16, 1997
The front page of the Lexington Herald-Leader on June 16, 1997

Lexington Herald-Leader reporters and photographers followed a couple of families along the process of their new homes being built. Louella and Donnie McClanahan, and their three sons, were living in Pikeville after moving back to the region when Donnie was laid off from his job in Michigan working at a General Motors plant.

Through Habitat for Humanity, the family was able to move into a three-bedroom home.

“If it hadn’t been for Habitat, for the big boost, we’d still be searching, dreaming of a home. This is a great thing,” Donnie McClanahan told the Herald-Leader.

for saturday’s paper on Habitat in Pike Co.--The work crew on the McClanahan’s house gather around for a meeting at the start of the day-including former pres jimmy carter(walking in on the right past homeowner Donnie McClanahan). This was shortly after the 7am start of the work day
for saturday’s paper on Habitat in Pike Co.--The work crew on the McClanahan’s house gather around for a meeting at the start of the day-including former pres jimmy carter(walking in on the right past homeowner Donnie McClanahan). This was shortly after the 7am start of the work day
Former President Jimmy Carter, right, worked Monday morning with Donnie McClanahan, left, on McClanahan’s house at the Pike County site of Habitat for Humanity’s annual Jimmy Carter Work Project.
Former President Jimmy Carter, right, worked Monday morning with Donnie McClanahan, left, on McClanahan’s house at the Pike County site of Habitat for Humanity’s annual Jimmy Carter Work Project.
dedication of the McClanahan Family habitat house in Pikeville. Jimmy Carter presented them a Bible in a ceremony outside their new home.-- Louella McClanahan prepares to hug Carter. beside her is her husband Donnie McClanahan
dedication of the McClanahan Family habitat house in Pikeville. Jimmy Carter presented them a Bible in a ceremony outside their new home.-- Louella McClanahan prepares to hug Carter. beside her is her husband Donnie McClanahan
dedication of the McClanahan Family habitat house in Pikeville. Jimmy Carter presented them a Bible in a ceremony outside their new home.-- A plaque signed by the volunteers that built the house now hangs in the living room.-Jimmy Carter’s signature is teh first one on the left
dedication of the McClanahan Family habitat house in Pikeville. Jimmy Carter presented them a Bible in a ceremony outside their new home.-- A plaque signed by the volunteers that built the house now hangs in the living room.-Jimmy Carter’s signature is teh first one on the left

The Carters were far from the only politicians participating in the builds either. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Gov. Paul Patton, first lady Judi Patton, Lt. Gov. Steve Henry, former first lady Libby Jones (wife of former Gov. Brereton Jones) and first lady Hillary Clinton (Bill Clinton was president at the time) also were involved.

Scroll down to see the full coverage of this event as it was reported on by the Herald-Leader at the time.

Hammering in the Hills by ahenderson

The McClanahans - Habitat f... by ahenderson

The Williamses by ahenderson

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