Honoring Former President Jimmy Carter at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is inviting the public to pay their respects to former President Jimmy Carter on its grounds. On Monday morning, six flowers were already laid on the former president's medallion on the property's Presidential Promenade to the side of the Harrison Home.

A statement from the museum shared condolences with Carter's family: "As we seek to remember President Carter's honorable legacy to our country, we also acknowledge and commend the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum for their work in preserving his memory and educating future generations as to the importance of public service in advancing the American system of self-government."

The grounds are open to the public without admission, allowing anyone to honor President Carter at any time. Charles Hyde, President and CEO of the site, explained that while the museum is dedicated to the 23rd president, they wanted to give people a space to pay respects to the 39th president.

“We just feel like it's important to pay respects to another American president,” Hyde said. “There have only been 45 presidents in this country's history out of more than 500 million people who've called the United States home. So this is our way to be able to show that appreciation for a former president.”

Hyde was saddened by the news Sunday afternoon, praising President Carter's legacy: "President Carter made a great name for himself as much for his contributions post-presidency 'As the President of the United States,' Hyde said. “Just a really tremendous legacy that he's left the country."

The museum has hung black bunting around the property and will enter a 30-day mourning period to honor Carter.