The Jimmy Carter Stone

This prominent stone, situated in the grounds of the Civic Centre near the Ceremonial Entrance, commemorates the visit, of Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States of America, to the Civic Centre on 6 May 1977.

As part of his first overseas tour since taking office President Carter chose to come to the North East, visiting Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland and Washington Old Hall.

To mark the President's visit the City Council decided to bestow the honorary freedom of the City on President Carter.

It is thought that Newcastle's involvement with the Friendship Force influenced the President's decision to visit the City. President Carter's wife, Rosalynn, had launched the Friendship Force to build bridges between the United States and the rest of the world. One of the first cities to become involved was Newcastle and exchange visits took place with Atlanta, capital of Jimmy Carter's home state of Georgia. To this day the link between the City and Atlanta still exists, with Atlanta designated as one of Newcastle upon Tyne's Twin Towns.