Former North Carolina Governors Opened Exhibit

On Oct. 24, former North Carolina governors James E. Holshouser Jr., James G. Martin and James B. Hunt Jr. officially opened the exhibit Elected to Serve: North Carolina’s Governors at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh. The ribbon cutting was preceded by the program An Evening with the Governors, an entertaining and enlightening panel discussion moderated by William C. Friday, president emeritus of the University of North Carolina system. The governors discussed the challenges of leading the state, their accomplishments, and the future of North Carolina.

Left to right: Former North Carolina governors James G. Martin, James E. Holshouser Jr. and James B. Hunt Jr. officially opened the exhibit Elected to Serve: North Carolina’s Governors at the N.C. Museum of History on Oct. 24.

Elected to Serve explores how governors have helped shape North Carolina and contributed to areas such as agriculture, industry and education. The exhibit includes artifacts, portraits and photographs spanning nearly 300 years. Elected to Serve also highlights inaugural traditions, the contributions of first ladies, the history of voting in North Carolina and more. Admission is free.  

Left to right: William C. Friday, president emeritus of the University of North Carolina system, moderated the panel discussion with former North Carolina governors James G. Martin, James B. Hunt Jr. and James E. Holshouser Jr. on Oct. 24 at the N.C. Museum of History.

Numerous artifacts and photographs reflect a lively gubernatorial past. The items range from a 1775 North Carolina $5 bill featuring an image of Tryon Palace to the first ticket sold in 2006 for the N.C. Education Lottery. A selection of Inaugural Ball gowns, always popular with visitors, includes the 1893 silk dress created for First Lady Eleanor Carr and the satin gown that First Lady Mary Easley danced in at the 2005 Inaugural Ball.

Left to right: Former North Carolina governors James G. Martin, James B. Hunt Jr. and James E. Holshouser Jr. engaged in lively conversation during An Evening with the Governors, a panel discussion at the N.C. Museum of History on Oct. 24.

Elected to Serve will run until Sept. 2009. Visit the N.C. Museum of History to discover how the contributions of former governors have enriched the Old North State. The exhibit is sponsored by SunTrust Bank Inc. For more information about the museum, call 919-807-7900.

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