Levine Museum of the New South is a comprehensive history museum, focusing on Charlotte and the surrounding North Carolina Piedmont. The New South refers to a cultural and economic shift in the region following the American Civil War. Study an award-winning permanent exhibit that focuses on changes in the South and features more than 1,000 artifacts.
Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers is the museum’s centerpiece. The exhibit contains many life-size period displays reflecting Charlotte and its 13 surrounding counties. Displays include a one-room tenant farmer’s house, an early Belk department store, a civil rights-era lunch counter and more. Sit in Good Samaritans Hospital Chapel, an area representing an early African-American hospital.
Hear the sound of a cotton mill churning and run your hand through a pile of seed cotton. The main exhibit contains interactive components, images, oral histories and video clips. With many educational elements and hands-on activities, Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers is great for families. The museum also hosts changing exhibits, which focus on aspects of North Carolina’s arts, music, history and culture.
Attend a film screening or community event year-round at Levine Museum of the New South. The museum hosts many events, including exhibit openings, music performances, special tours and festivals. Panel discussions by guest speakers and community events are a great way to learn about Charlotte’s post Civil War culture and community.
Check the official Levine Museum of the New South website for upcoming events and programs. The museum is located in downtown Charlotte, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Discounted admission rates apply for seniors and children. Museum visitors can park free for 2 hours on the parking deck, located next to the museum.
Levine Museum of the New South also contains a gift store selling jewelry, souvenirs and books relating to the South and the museum’s exhibits.
