The Charlotte Museum of History

What The Charlotte Museum of History does

The Charlotte Museum of History is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural institution headquartered on an eight-acre campus at 3500 Shamrock Drive in East Charlotte, North Carolina. Chartered in 1969 as the Hezekiah Alexander Foundation and opened to the public in July 1976 during the nation's Bicentennial, the museum preserves and interprets over 400 years of Charlotte regional history through four permanent galleries, the 1774 Alexander Rock House (the only surviving Charlotte structure from the Revolutionary period, holding a rare statewide significance designation shared with only 11 properties in North Carolina), and the recently relocated Siloam School (the only Rosenwald-era school in Mecklenburg County interpreted as a historic site, restored in 2024). The institution's flagship product is the 'American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition' (April 2026-April 2027), built on HistoPad augmented reality tablets developed by French firm Histovery and deployed under exclusive Southeast regional rights within a four-hour radius, in partnership with the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. The museum achieved Smithsonian Affiliate status in December 2025.

The institution operates as a direct-to-consumer attraction with earned revenue from general admission ($10-$15), memberships in seven tiers ($45-$1,000 annually), school field trip programs ($15-$20 per student), site rentals, private tour experiences (Voices of Independence, Footsteps of Freedom, The 1774 Experience), commemorative brick/bench installations ($250 to $25,000), and signature fundraising events including the Charlotte Gem Awards and African American Heritage Festival. Curated K-12 offerings aligned to North Carolina history standards serve Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and homeschool groups as a primary vertical, complemented by an extensive virtual learning portfolio (Museum From Home, Indigenous Peoples Week, Unexpected Homeschoolers) and reciprocal admission access through ROAM and SERM museum networks.

The museum receives no regular government operating support, sustaining operations through private donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and event revenue. Major institutional supporters include the Foundation for the Carolinas, Gambrell Foundation, John William Pope Foundation, Duke Energy Foundation, Bank of America, Arts & Science Council, Lowe's, National Endowment for the Humanities, Mecklenburg County, and the City of Charlotte. Leadership comprises President & CEO Terri L. White and a Board of Trustees chaired by Katie Schwarting, with the institution operating on a strategic plan covering 2022-2027.

Name

The Charlotte Museum of History

Legal name

The Charlotte Museum of History

Website

https://charlottemuseum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Charlotte Museum of History is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating an eight-acre historic campus in East Charlotte, NC, presenting exhibits, curriculum-aligned K-12 field trips, augmented reality exhibitions, and signature cultural programs to regional visitors, schools, and event clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

History Museum and Cultural Education Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums (712110), Historical Sites (712120)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

History Museums (THAJADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA), Monuments, Statues & Memorials (THAJACAB)

Keywords

• Historical museum exhibits
• Augmented reality exhibitions
• Curriculum-aligned field trips
• Historic site preservation
• Community cultural programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. General Admission Tickets: Visitors purchase tickets for museum admission. Adults $15 + tax, Seniors/Children/Students $12 + tax, Veterans $10 + tax, Children 0-3 free. HistoPad add-on available for $5 + tax. Tickets valid for one admission within 60 days.
2. Museum Memberships: Annual membership program with multiple tiers: Individual ($50), Senior ($45), Dual ($90), Household ($120), Patron ($250), Benefactor ($500), President's Circle ($1,000). Members receive free admission, discounts, and exclusive perks.
3. Site Rentals and Private Events: The museum rents its indoor and outdoor spaces for social functions, business meetings, corporate events, and weddings. Contact Christy Faust for rental inquiries.
4. Charlotte Gem Awards Tickets and Sponsorships: The premier annual fundraising event sells tickets ($150 each) and sponsorship opportunities to celebrate historic preservation in the greater Charlotte region.
5. Donations and Fundraising: The museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on private donations, grants, and program revenue. Donations support operations, field trip accessibility, and historic preservation.
6. Set in Stone Commemorative Program: Commemorative brick and bench program. Commemorative Bricks at $250 each, Benches at $10,000-$15,000 each, Pillars of Democracy at $25,000 each.
7. Private Tour Programs: Specialized guided tour experiences including 'Voices of Independence', 'Footsteps of Freedom', and 'The 1774 Experience' offered to private groups for additional fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Charlotte Museum of History is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit museum that preserves and interprets 400+ years of Charlotte regional history through permanent galleries, the 1774 Alexander Rock House, the restored Siloam School, and rotating exhibitions. Its flagship offering is the 'American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition' (April 2026–April 2027), which uses HistoPad tablet-based augmented reality technology to immerse visitors in Revolutionary War events. The museum generates revenue through ticket admissions, annual memberships, curriculum-aligned K-12 field trips, private event rentals, signature fundraising events, and contributed income from donations, grants, and sponsorships.

Product overview

The Charlotte Museum of History operates a multi-faceted historical and educational institution on an eight-acre campus in East Charlotte, North Carolina. The core product portfolio centers on the new 'American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition' (April 2026–April 2027) using HistoPad augmented reality technology developed by French firm Histovery, complemented by permanent historic site experiences including the 1774 Alexander Rock House and the restored Siloam School (a Rosenwald-era African American schoolhouse relocated in 2024). Educational programs include curriculum-connected field trips for grades K-12, virtual learning content, and annual public programming including the African American Heritage Festival and Charlotte Gem Awards. Revenue-generating add-ons include site rentals, museum membership (7 tiers from $45–$1,000 annually), and the Set in Stone commemorative brick/bench program. The museum serves as a Smithsonian Affiliate and operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit receiving no regular government operating support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition A landmark augmented reality exhibition using HistoPad tablets and video game technology to immerse visitors in key moments of the American Revolution. Features interactive experiences including signing the Declaration of Independence, crossing the Delaware with Washington, and the siege of Yorktown, plus a special local history gallery covering the Carolinas' role in the Revolution. Available as a paid add-on for $5 with museum admission.
• Field Trip Programs Curriculum-connected educational field trips for grades K-12 exploring Charlotte region history from the American Revolution to the Civil Rights Movement. Programs include the Augmented Exhibition Experience using HistoPads, guided Rock House tours, Early Charlotte (K-2), Hornets' Nest of Rebellion (3-5), and The Story of Siloam School. Aligned with North Carolina Standards. Priced at $15-$20 per student with Title 1 school discounts.
• Museum General Admission General admission includes access to all museum galleries with permanent and rotating exhibits covering 400+ years of Charlotte history, audio-guided self-tour of the 1774 Alexander Homesite, and docent-led tours of historic structures. Adults $15, Seniors/Children/Students $12, Veterans $10, Museum members free. HistoPad add-on available for $5.
• 1774 Alexander Rock House and Homesite The oldest surviving house in Mecklenburg County (circa 1774), home of Revolutionary statesman Hezekiah Alexander who was a framer of North Carolina's first Constitution and Bill of Rights. The eight-acre campus includes the 5,000-square-foot stone Rock House, log kitchen, two-story springhouse, and Caldwell Barn. Docent-led tours available daily at 2pm plus noon on Saturdays; self-guided audio tours run approximately 40 minutes.
• Siloam School One of Mecklenburg County's oldest remaining African American schoolhouses and the only Rosenwald-era school in the county interpreted as a historic site. Built circa 1920, the restored one-room school is open for touring Tuesday-Friday 1-2pm and Saturdays 1-2pm and 3-4pm. Explores the history of Black education, the Rosenwald Fund program, and the region's Jim Crow era.
• African American Heritage Festival Annual free festival celebrating Black history and culture. The 2026 festival (February 28) explores 'Red, White, Blue, and Black' theme highlighting African American military service throughout American history in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States. Features panels, speakers, performances, art, vendors, and workshops.
• Charlotte Gem Awards Premier annual fundraising event celebrating restoration and building projects exemplifying historic preservation in the greater Charlotte region. Includes a new Education category honoring exceptional contributions to historical education. Ticket price $150 each.
• Virtual Learning Programs Online educational content including Museum From Home video series, virtual tours of the Rock House, Indigenous Peoples Week (partnered with Catawba Indian Nation), Constitution Week, Historic Mapping Congress Seminars, Celebrating Suffrage, MeckDec Week, and Boredom Busters activity series. Includes Unexpected Homeschoolers and Family Friday series.
• Private Tours Three themed private guided homesite experiences for groups: Voices of Independence (Revolutionary artifacts and AR exhibition + Rock House), Footsteps of Freedom (Black experience history including enslaved peoples and Siloam School), and The 1774 Experience (signature historic site tour). Plus private museum building tours. Groups of 10+ must schedule at least one month in advance.
• Museum Membership Program Annual membership with seven tiers: Individual ($50), Senior 62+ ($45), Dual ($90), Household up to 6 people ($120), Patron ($250), Benefactor ($500), President's Circle ($1,000). Benefits include free year-round admission, free program access, SERM and ROAM museum reciprocal admission, event discounts, and shop discounts.
• Site Rentals Event venue rental of museum building and grounds for social functions, business meetings, corporate events, and weddings. Indoor galleries plus outdoor plaza and park-like grounds. Located five miles from Uptown Charlotte with ample free parking. Contact Private Events Manager Christy Faust for bookings.
• Set in Stone Commemorative Program Commemorative brick and bench program. Commemorative Bricks $250 each (3 lines, 20 characters per line). Commemorative Benches $10,000-$15,000 depending on location. Pillars of Democracy $25,000 each. Proceeds support museum mission and programming.
• Open Wide the Door Exhibition Exhibition telling the story of the National Negro Opera Company and its founder Mary Cardwell Dawson. Limited sponsorship opportunities available with 'Diamond Horseshoe' supporter tier named in honor of Mary Cardwell Dawson's most treasured benefactors.

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Smithsonian InstitutionflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2025The Charlotte Museum of History became a Smithsonian Affiliate, joining a network of 200+ cultural organizations. This provides access to special exhibitions, educational resources, and national collaboration opportunities.
• Museum of the American Revolution (Philadelphia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2025Strategic partnership to bring the 'American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition' to Charlotte. The museum secured exclusive Southeast regional rights for one year within a four-hour radius, marking the exhibit's regional debut ahead of America's 250th anniversary.
• Histovery (France)coreTechnology or Integration · 21 May 2025French technology firm that designed the augmented reality HistoPad tablets and video game technology powering the American Revolution exhibition experience.
• Arts & Science CouncilcoreOthersMajor general support sponsor providing funding and resources to the museum.
• Bank of AmericacoreOthersGeneral support sponsor and participant in Museums On Us program providing free/reduced museum admission to Bank of America cardholders.
• Daughters of the American Revolution (Mecklenburg Chapter)coreOthersLong-standing historical partner. The 1774 Rock House was originally leased and managed by Daughters of the American Revolution starting in the 1940s. Continues as general support sponsor.
• Silver Star Community Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal champion to save the Siloam School. Grassroots nonprofit working to save Rosenwald Schools and Black spaces in Mecklenburg County for over 10 years.
• Mecklenburg County Historic Landmarks CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in advocating to save the historic Siloam School building from demolition.
• Catawba Indian NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Indigenous Peoples Week partnership for cultural celebrations, pottery demonstrations, drumming and dancing traditions, and educational programming about Native American history.
• Rodgers BuildersminorOthersGeneral support sponsor for museum operations.
• Novant HealthminorOthersExhibition support sponsor and healthcare partner.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Mint Museum: Charlotte's primary art museum with two campuses and a comparable nonprofit operating model, tiered membership program, and signature fundraising events. Shares the Charlotte cultural institution landscape but focuses on visual art rather than history.
• Old Salem Museums & Gardens: Winston-Salem, NC historic site museum operating restored 18th-19th century buildings with K-12 programming, events, and admissions. Comparable in scope and Southeast regional positioning, with a similar tiered membership and donation model.
• Historic Bethabara: Historic Moravian church and community site in Winston-Salem, NC operated as a nonprofit with educational programming and tours. Comparable in scale, NC regional positioning, and colonial-era historic site focus.

Broad incumbents

• Museum of the American Revolution: Philadelphia-based standalone museum dedicated to the American Revolution, and the museum's strategic content partner for the AR Exhibition. Larger in scale and scope; functions as a content licensor and co-developer rather than a direct competitor in Charlotte's local market.
• North Carolina Museum of History: State-operated history museum in Raleigh covering all of North Carolina's history with free admission and significant state funding. Larger in scale and reach, but directly comparable in subject matter (NC and Charlotte-adjacent history).
• National Museum of American History (Smithsonian): Smithsonian flagship museum in Washington, D.C. covering American history. The museum's Smithsonian Affiliate parent network; functions as a content source and exhibition lender rather than a direct competitor in Charlotte.

Direct peers

• Levine Museum of the New South: Charlotte-based history museum focused on the post-Civil War South and the Charlotte region's evolution. It is the closest direct peer in the same city, operating with a similar nonprofit museum model, K-12 field trip programs, and focus on inclusive regional history.
• Virginia Museum of History & Culture: Statewide history museum with permanent galleries, rotating exhibits, K-12 programming, and a development model funded through donations and admissions. Comparable in mission (preserving and interpreting regional history) and institutional scale.
• Historic Latimer House: Charlotte historic house museum operated as a nonprofit with guided tours, school programs, and event rentals. Closely comparable in scale, mission, and Charlotte-region focus, though with a later historic period (19th century).
• Historic Rosedale Plantation: Charlotte-area historic house site offering tours and programming of an early 19th-century plantation. Operates a comparable nonprofit model with house-museum admissions, private events, and K-12 educational programming in the same regional catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CLThistory
• YouTubeyoutube.com/CharlotteMuseumofHistory
• Facebookfacebook.com/charlottemuseumofhistory
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/charlotte-museum-of-history
• Instagraminstagram.com/charlottemuseumofhistory
• TikToktiktok.com/@charlottemuseumofhistory

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles28 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Charlotte Museum of History