Our mission at the Charlotte Museum of History is to save and share the unique stories, objects, and places that make up our city's diverse past in an effort to build a better tomorrow. So, then: what is a Charlotte Gem?

Charlotte Gems are the "movers and shakers," the barrier-breakers, the "first to...", in Charlotte; they are the people and places on the ground that paved the way toward a better future for Charlotte. Highlighted in this exhibit are a number of Charlotte Gems that helped to create the Queen City we know and love today. Their stories are told through the artifacts, documents, and stories they left behind.

Learn more about the 2023 Charlotte Gem Preservation Awards here.