Jack and Rachel Clark House Historic Structure Report

WLA Studio, Arcollab, Mark Reinberger, and Reed Sheats

The purpose of this HSR is to document the history, context, and current condition of JICA’s Clark House and to supply recommendations for the treatment and use of this building. The Clark House is located at the Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm complex in Archery, Georgia. It was the residence of Jack and Rachel Clark. The Clarks, who were African American, lived in the house when they were hired laborers at the Carter farm. The HSR examines options for potential treatment and use of the Clark House. The NPS will use this report to inform and guide its stewardship of the historic resources. It should be noted that there are discrepancies in how Rachel Clark’s name appears in historic documentation. While “Rachel” is the most frequent spelling, her name also appears as “Rachael” in several sources including census records. The report includes Part I: Developmental History and Part II: Treatment and Use. Part I provides a brief review of the historical development of Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, known historical information about the construction and use of the building, and the transfer of the property to the NPS. The HSR supplies all available information about why the building was constructed, who constructed it, and how it was constructed. The HSR also provides a chronology of changes made to the building since its original construction circa 1921. This information is based on physical investigations and available historical documentation. A physical description provides a systemic accounting of the structure’s features and materials. A summary assessment of their current condition is also included.