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The oldest structure, and the reason for the museum’s location, is the Hezekiah Alexander Homesite, a 5,000- square foot rock house. The Hezekiah Alexander House is the oldest surviving house in Mecklenburg County. Listed on the National Register for Historic Places, it was built circa 1774 and still stands on its original site. The house is accompanied by a reproduction log kitchen and reconstructed two-story springhouse. The Foundation encountered financial difficulties while attempting to build a reception center for the Homesite. Consequently, in 1975 the City of Charlotte in cooperation with the Mint Museum completed the building, which opened as The Charlotte Museum of History on July 3, 1976. The museum and Homesite were administered by the Mint Museum from 1975 until 1987. During that time, the Women’s Auxiliary was formed to help raise funds. The Auxiliary raised sufficient funds to furnish the Alexander House with an exceptional collection of period antiques. In 1987, administrative responsibility was transferred to the Park and Recreation division of the city. Throughout these administrative changes, The Hezekiah Alexander Foundation continued to support the Homesite and museum. On July 1, 1990, the Hezekiah Alexander Foundation regained full administration and support of the museum and the Homesite. The City’s separation agreement stipulated that the Foundation create a two million dollar endowment fund for the operation and maintenance of the museum and Homesite. The Foundation exceeded the requirement, raising over three million dollars.
An intensive exhibits program had produced three galleries taking the Charlotte-Mecklenburg story from 18th to the 20th century. A changing exhibit space was created on the second floor. Grand Opening was held on October 24, 1999. The American Freedom Bell was added to the museum grounds later that fall and was rung for the first time on December 31, 1999. On February 6, 2002, the Foundation officially changed its name to The Charlotte Museum of History, Inc. The museum is a private non-profit organization with a 501(c)(3) classification from the Internal Revenue Service. It is governed by the Board of Trustees of the Hezekiah Alexander Foundation, a volunteer citizens group. |
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In
1996, the Foundation began to explore the possibility of replacing the 1976
building with a much larger museum to better meet needs and community
expectations. Three years later, having raised over 7 million dollars, the
Foundation completed a new 36,000-sq. ft. museum building.
The Charlotte
Museum of History & Hezekiah Alexander Homesite |