Terri White is the president and CEO of the Charlotte Museum of History located on Shamrock Drive in east Charlotte. The museum, which officially opened in 1976, is home to the Rock House, the oldest surviving house in Mecklenburg County, built in 1774. White describes her role as a “dream job” and strives to show people that history is more than just memorizing war dates.
Since starting her role as CEO in July 2022, White has worked on several exhibitions, including “Charlotte: Signs of Home,” a display of signs from businesses and institutions that define Charlotte’s history, and “Journey of Hope,” which shared the stories of Charlotte’s Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
White sat down with The Ledger’s Lindsey Banks to talk about her goals for the museum and the importance of uncovering and sharing Charlotte’s history.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, White discusses:
Her background and what led her to Charlotte.
What museum visitors can expect to see when they walk in the doors.
White’s goals for the museum.
What goes into planning and creating an exhibit.
How the museum is funded.
Why Charlotte’s history is important and how the museum reaches out to newcomers.
Moving the Siloam School — a 1920s African American schoolhouse built during the Rosenwald era in Mallard Creek — to the museum’s campus.
What exhibitions are coming in the future – including one celebrating the Charlotte Hornets’ 35th anniversary.
Incidentally, The Ledger hosted its 40 Over 40 Awards ceremony on the museum’s campus back in April.
To learn more about the museum or to plan your next visit, go to CharlotteMuseum.org.
We hope you enjoy the conversation with Terri White.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
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Uncovering Charlotte's rich history, with Terri White