What the departed president and CEO of The Charlotte Museum of History left behind

We’re quick to get all excited about the newest and coolest restaurant opening up in Lower South End, but let’s be sure to pause every so often to reflect on Charlotte’s past.

I think it’s safe to say that most of us love this city. I know I do. I’ve lived here for almost 15 years. Though, I am ashamed to admit that I’m not so well-versed in this city’s history.

This is why the work that Kay Peninger has done as the president and CEO of The Charlotte Museum of History for the past four years is so important — to preserve our city’s story. Especially with all the development going on in Charlotte, having this foundational resource is as important as ever.

Peninger said, “I believe so strongly in the power of history to help us understand how we got to where we are as a society and a community. My job at the museum blended my three big passions — history, education and historic preservation. My goal was for the museum’s programs to dig beneath the surface into the rich and fascinating stories of Charlotte’s history, beyond the timeline approach. Everyone in Charlotte should know this history.”

Her last day in the role at the museum was Friday, June 23. She’s moving on to become director of museum education for the new Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. while Lisa Gray, experienced in nonprofit management, acts as interim director.

What you should know is that Peninger transformed a Charlotte cultural institution.  Peninger joined the museum in March 2013, and at that time, its future was not certain. It had been completely closed to visitors for a good part of 2012 and had only opened back up for one afternoon a month in January 2013. Currently, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday.

Let’s take a look at just a few of the achievements during her tenure at the museum, and what she’s leaving behind:

Emphasis on the Hezekiah Alexander House

She kept the museum’s focus on the Hezekiah Alexander House, which Peninger calls “the most important cultural treasure in all of Charlotte.”

This is the oldest surviving house in Mecklenburg County and sits on the grounds of the museum. Alexander was one of the men who signed the Meck Dec and served on the committee that drafted North Carolina’s first constitution and bill of rights.

Peninger helped expand the story of the house beyond the traditional interpretation of European migration, to include the other cultures with a rich history in the Carolina Backcountry: the original population of the area, the Catawba Indian Nation, and the enslaved Africans. Overall, this expanded interpretation attracted new audiences to the museum.

A push to save Siloam School

She helped initiate the effort to save a historic school for African American children. The Siloam School was constructed in the early 1900s and still stands in its original location in northeast Charlotte near UNC Charlotte though it’s in bad shape. The entire project to save the building is estimated to cost $600,000.

“The goal of the project is to restore the Siloam School and relocate it to the grounds of The Charlotte Museum of History, where it will become an important centerpiece in our efforts to engage the community in our region’s history,” Peninger said.

Improved finances

The museum is financially stronger than ever, with $4 million in endowments, a balanced budget and no debt. With Peninger leading the way, the museum was able to operate without any debt and without accessing the endowment’s principal because of successful fundraising and new profitable programs. The new programs were key, but so was expanding the museum’s event space rental program.

Expanded programming

Before Peninger started, the museum was offering only a few dozen educational programs and exhibitions a year. In 2016, there were more than 170 including a handful of new educational programs for schools and children and a number of new programs for the public. The popular tradition of the museum’s annual Fourth of July celebration that includes the special Oath and Naturalization Ceremony for new citizens was an initiative led by Peninger.

“I’m able to leave this amazing museum for a new opportunity with a very clear conscience because of the strong foundation we have built with our staff, our board of trustees, our donors and partners, and the community at large over the last four years,” Peninger said.

Photos: Diedra Laird/Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Museum of History, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

This story was originally published July 9, 2017 at 10:00 PM with the headline "What the departed president and CEO of The Charlotte Museum of History left behind."