-
Charlotte Museum of History
and the Freedom Bell
The Charlotte Museum of History
and the Hezekiah Alexander Homesite are just a couple of the many
sights that you can visit at this 8 acre wooded park, located in
east Charlotte, North Carolina. The oldest structure, and most
probably the main reason for locating the museum here is the
Hezekiah Alexander house, which is 5000 square feet and made of
rock. It is now the oldest surviving home in the county of
Mecklenburg and is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places. The house was built in 1774, and is located on the original
foundation, with replicated outbuildings that include a barn,
kitchen and two story springhouse. In the 1940s, it became the
property of the Methodist Home, and in 1949, the Daughters of the
American Revolution leased the house and adjoining land in hopes of
refurbishing the old stone house that was in desperate need of it. A
committee of the DAR chapter managed the place and opened the house
for occasional visits. They formally started the Hezekiah Alexander
Foundation in 1969, as a non-profit, and were able to raise over
$200,000 to restore the home. The foundation had problems when they
tried building a reception center, and in 1975, the city finished
the restoration and construction in cooperation with the Mint
Museum. In July of 1976, the Mint Museum of History opened and ran
until 1987. In the interim period, a Hezekiah Alexander Women's
Auxiliary was started and this wonderful group was able to raise
enough funds to fill the house with period antiques. The
administrative job of the museum was transferred to the Parks and
Recreation department and renamed the Charlotte Museum of History.
In July of 1990, the foundation was able to get full administration
and support of the museum and homesite. The city insisted on the
foundation having a $2 million endowment fund for the operation and
management of the estate, and they raised more than $3 million. In
1996, the foundation considered a bigger and better building to
house the museum, and after three years was able to raise $7 million
to build a new 36,000 square foot museum to contain all the
marvelous exhibits and antiquities that told the story of Charlotte
and the Mecklenburg County from the 18th century to the 20th. The
grand opening was in 1999, and the changing exhibits space was put
on the second floor. In the fall, the American Freedom Bell was
brought here and rang for the first time on December 31, 1999. This
bell is located between the homesite and the museum in a beautiful
setting, and was given to the people of the Carolinas as a gift of
the Belk Foundation. This bell symbolizes the patriotic heritage of
the people and their vigilant dedication to the freedoms and
independence of the American way. It weighs 7 tons, and is 7 feet by
7 feet; with a wonderful resonating sound that is rung during the
tours that welcome visitors to this marvelous museum and homestead.
The spectacular bell would become the symbol of freedom and
independence that had started in the city and county a full year
before the founders of the Declaration of Independence had even met
to sign that no teworthy
paper. This city and county is well deserving of the honor and
dignity that should be bestowed on the first region to undertake the
overthrowing of an oppressing country, the freedoms that are
guaranteed all Americans forever. Here, in the fantastic museum, set
on a small plot of land, on the border of the Carolinas, the real
story of the American Revolution begins and by coming here to listen
to the magnificent tone of the Freedom Bell will lift up your
spirits more than any other place on the earth.
|
