Presbyterian Heritage Center celebrates 10th anniversary

What do evangelist Billy Graham, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson and public television children host Fred Rogers have in common?

      They are all subjects of exhibits at the Presbyterian Heritage Center in Montreat, which celebrates its 10th anniversary Saturday, May 26 from noon-4 pm. Those are three of the 10 exhibits currently on display, including Music of the Reformation: 16th Century, Diplomats, Missionaries & Montreat during World War II, Congo Missions, Child Labor Law Campaign: Rev. McKelway and Photographer Lewis Hine,10th Anniversary of the PHC, Foreign Mission Crises, 1892–1920 and 50th Anniversary of the Town of Montreat.

      More than 75,000 visitors have toured the Presbyterian Heritage Center over the past decade to view more than 50 exhibits and scores of special events. With free admission and free parking, the center highlights history of Montreat and Western North Carolina, as well as the heritage of the Presbyterian and Reformed churches and worldwide missions in its various exhibits.

      “For example, the World War I exhibit looks at President Wilson, chaplains and local war volunteers that responded to the call, including members of the Penland, Morris, Walker, Burnette and Foreman families from Black Mountain and Montreat," said Ron Vinson, the center's executive director. "These local soldiers and sailors are shown in photos from a rare scrapbook in the PHC archives. We also try to make exhibits multimedia, showcasing rare artifacts, pictures, film footage, audio recordings and hands-on activities.”

The center is at 318 Georgia Terrace, Montreat, near Lake Susan. For more, visit phcmontreat.org or call 669-6556.