The following press release was published by the Levine Museum of the New South on January 28, 2026 regarding the sale of the former Grace Covenant Church in South End. The site has historical ties to Billy Graham, who graduated from the beginners department at Chalmers Memorial in 1924. Justin Holofchak of MPV represented the seller in this transaction.
Levine Museum Plans Future Home in South End – a Place Where History and Community Meet
Nationally recognized history museum set to acquire South End campus to expand exhibitions, programs and community engagement for Charlotte residents and visitors
CHARLOTTE – Levine Museum of the New South is set to acquire1800 South Boulevard in Charlotte’s vibrant South End, marking a transformative milestone for the Museum and establishing a new cultural anchor in the city’s most dynamic neighborhood. The centrally located site positions the Museum to engage residents and visitors from across the region, the nation, and abroad through exhibitions and programs that explore the history and ongoing story of the New South.
The 0.57-acre property, located at the intersection of South and East boulevards, was purchased from Grace Covenant Church. The site includes two buildings totaling approximately 10,000 square feet and offers exceptional access to public transit and Charlotte Douglas Airport, reinforcing the Museum’s role as an accessible and welcoming civic institution.
The site will serve as the new home of the Levine Museum of the New South, which is marking more than 35 years of connecting people to the histories and cultures that define the New South.
“This new campus represents a bold step forward for the Museum and for Charlotte,” said Dr. Richard Cooper, President and CEO of the Levine Museum of the New South. “It will be more than a museum—it will be a gathering space where history sparks conversation and where diverse perspectives come together to explore what the New South has been and what it is becoming.”
An essential supporter of the Museum from its earliest days, The Leon Levine Foundation marked the significance of this next chapter: “Levine Museum of the New South has played a vital role in helping Charlotte understand itself and its place in the broader story of the region,” said Sara Fedyna, Senior Program Officer of The Community Fund at The Leon Levine Foundation. “The new home in South End allows the Museum to deepen its impact and continue serving as a space for learning, dialogue, and connection for generations to come.”
South End’s evolution from an industrial hub to a bustling, modern neighborhood mirrors the broader history of the New South itself. Despite the neighborhood’s growth, it has lacked a major cultural institution. The Museum’s arrival will address that void while advancing the Museum’s mission to build a strong, more equitable community by connecting people locally, regionally and across backgrounds through history, culture, and celebration.
The Museum has selected Pickard Chilton, a globally recognized architecture studio with extensive experience designing cultural and civic institutions, as the design architect to guide the site’s transformation through its phases of development.
“The Levine Museum of the New South project represents a rare opportunity to create an extraordinary place of lasting civic and cultural significance,” said Kristin Hawkins, Associate Principal at Pickard Chilton. “We are honored to partner with the Levine Museum to design a place that reflects the Museum’s enduring commitment to history, storytelling, and inclusive public engagement.”
Guided by its mission, Levine Museum of the New South will center its work on three core commitments:
- Sparking conversations around the defining issues of the New South
- Fostering learning through immersive exhibitions and educational programs
- Bringing people together across cultures, generations, and perspectives
Founded in 1990, Levine Museum of the New South occupied its first physical location on Seventh Street in Uptown Charlotte from 2001 to 2022. In the past four years, the Museum has hosted exhibitions and programs in spaces across the city while planning for its new home. Since its inception, the Museum has engaged more than 1.7 million people through award-winning exhibitions, digital storytelling, and innovative civic programming.
“Levine Museum of the New South uses history as a way to connect people and spark understanding,” said Glen Wright, Chair of the Museum’s Board of Directors. “This next chapter deepens that commitment by helping communities see themselves in the story of the South and inspiring participation toward a more inclusive future.”
As planning for the new campus continues, the Museum will continue its in-person and digital programming and host community engagement opportunities to help shape the design, programming and storytelling on the new campus.
Additional details about the project, timeline, and future programming will be shared as planning advances.
For more information, visit museumofthenewsouth.org or follow the Museum on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
