Charlotte Museum Now a Smithsonian Affiliate, Plans Major America 250 Exhibit

The Charlotte Museum of History joined the Smithsonian Affiliate program. This makes it the second institution in town to earn this partnership, following the Sullenberger Aviation Museum. More than 200 organizations across the nation hold this designation, including Raleigh's North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and Rock Hill's York County Heritage Museums.

Affiliation grants access to traveling exhibitions, artifact loans, and teaching materials from the Smithsonian Institution. Charlotte now connects with national and worldwide history through this arrangement.

"This partnership opens the door to bring Smithsonian-caliber exhibits and resources to Charlotte while sharing the Queen City's powerful stories with a national audience," said Terri White, president and CEO of Charlotte Museum of History, in a news release.

White called the affiliation "yet another landmark achievement toward our goal of becoming one of the best history museums in the country."

Last November, the 1774 Alexander Rock House gained statewide historic designation. The facility maintains this property. Only 10 other sites in North Carolina hold that title.

Next year marks America's 250th birthday. The museum will host 'The American Revolution Experience,' billed as its "biggest" exhibit yet. Visitors use tablets in this hands-on display to discover what the Carolinas contributed during the American Revolution.

The Smithsonian partnership arrived just in time. It will help strengthen programming and deliver extra resources for the 2026 exhibit.

The Sullenberger Aviation Museum earned Smithsonian Affiliate status first, becoming Charlotte's initial recipient. That facility has already brought multiple exhibits to town through this connection.