Carter Center Photo:  D. Hakes Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter addresses the crowd during the museum's Oct. 1 grand reopening as Carter Library and Museum Director Jay Hakes looks on.  Watch the ceremony >

ATLANTA....Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's life and work--and his 85th birthday--were celebrated during the gala reopening of the newly renovated Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum Oct. 1.  The ceremony's live webcast has been posted to the Carter Center Web site.  Click here to watch video >

The ceremony and ribbon cutting, which drew a standing room-only crowd, were held on the front lawn of the Carter Presidential Museum and included former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, former Vice President Walter Mondale, Carter Library and Museum Director Jay Hakes, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, civil rights leader Rev. Joseph Lowery, and other dignitaries.

Well-wishers from around the world sent birthday greetings, stories, or testimonials to President Carter, which were posted to an online "birthday wall."  View the wall >

The museum closed in April for a five-month, $10 million renovation, funded by private donations.  Only the replica of the Oval Office remains from the 23-year-old, 24,000-square-foot original museum.

A large section of the new state-of-the-art facility is devoted to the post-presidency--a first for presidential museums.  The centerpiece of the section is a large interactive exhibit with multiple touch-screen stations that will take visitors on a virtual trip with the Carters around the world.  They will meet some of the millions of people whose lives have been changed by the Center's peace and health work, learn about their communities, and gain a greater understanding of the challenges faced by people in developing nations.

Visitors also will experience what it is like to be president of the United States in a unique, extensive area called "A Day in the Life of the President,"  which recreates an actual 24-hour period from President Carter's schedule.

View slideshow of gala reopening ceremony >