1954: Open House
On July 1, 1954, 1,200 guests attended a formal opening of the building to the public during a two-hour period.
At one point, the line of people waiting to get in the door extended from the building almost to Lake Susan.
Image: Entrance Hall, Historical Foundation Building; became a museum as well as an archive and research center. The pulpit at center was constructed during the American Revolution and was donated to the Heritage Center from Bethany Presbyterian Church in Statesville. To the right, History of Churches and Woman’s Work; To the left, Reading and Reference Room with bookstacks manufactured by Black Mountain Lumber Company.