South End  home for Levine Museum of the New South

PICKARD CHILTON

An artist's concept of the East Boulevard view of Levine Museum of the New South's campus in South End.

Levine Museum of the New South is moving to a new home in South End.

The museum closed on a deal with Grave Covenant Church to buy its .57-acre property at 1800 South Blvd., adding a major cultural anchor in the neighborhood. The site includes two buildings totaling about 10,000 square feet. Pickard Chilton is the design architect.

“This new campus represents a bold step forward for the Museum and for Charlotte,” museum President and CEO Richard Cooper said in a statement. “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.”

The museum, which was founded in 1990, moved out of its first physical location on Seventh Street in 2022. Since then, it’s hosted programs and exhibits at locations across the city. Since its launch, the museum has reached more than 1.7 million people through exhibitions, digital storytelling, and civic programs.

“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 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.”

The museum will continue in-person and digital programming as well as community engagement initiatives while the new campus takes shape. Details of construction timeframe and the campus’ debut weren’t disclosed. 

“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.”

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