Celebrate America’s Pastor at The Billy Graham Library
During his 55-year ministry, Billy Graham’s message reached over 215 million people around the world. His legacy continues through The Billy Graham Library, where galleries and exhibits invite all to experience his message of hope and celebrate the life of America’s Pastor.
by Allison Hancin
The Dairy Barn
Born in 1918, Graham spent the early years of his childhood on a dairy farm in Charlotte. The Library and its 20 acres of grounds are a testament to his early upbringing. Upon arriving, visitors find a giant barn with a cross serving as the entryway. Within, guests discover other memorabilia that depicts the evangelist's humble beginnings.
Graham Family Homeplace
At the age of 9, Graham and his family moved to a home along Park Road in Charlotte. It was while living in this home that, just before his 16th birthday, he committed his life to the church at a local revival on the edge of town. Reconstructed with original materials and furnishings, the Graham family’s two-story Colonial now sits on the Library’s campus, a mere 4 miles from its original location.
A Journey of Faith
A Journey of Faith invites visitors to The Billy Graham Library to walk in the footsteps of Graham’s ministry through interactive exhibits, photos, past broadcast clips and memorabilia. Imagine the excitement building around Graham’s first citywide Crusade in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and retrace his journey to becoming the world’s most recognized evangelist—a feat that took him to 180 countries.
A pioneer in the use of technology, Graham’s ministry lives on through multiple ways to read, watch and listen to his message throughout the exhibit. Visitors can also get to know his wife, Ruth Bell Graham, through photos and letters and can discover why he is known as the Pastor to the Presidents.
Graham Brothers Dairy Bar
Inside Graham Brothers Dairy Bar, gather around orders of Mother Graham’s chicken salad, sandwiches and the reverend’s favorite, barbecue. Booths shaped like stalls, cow-print tablecloths, antique milk cans and family photos complete the Dairy Bar atmosphere.
Billy Graham’s Personal Book Collections
Fueled by a love for reading, Graham wrote 33 books, including a 1997 autobiography, Just As I Am. At the Library, discover the works that inspired Graham’s love for reading with over 3,700 personal collection items on display.
Ruth's Attic Bookstore
Ruth Bell Graham, who wed the famed evangelist in 1943, was also an avid reader with a deep appreciation for the written word. In Ruth’s Attic Bookstore, browse rare works written by the couple as well as those by other members of the Graham family. Find a new addition to your home or bookshelf among the selection of Bibles, Christian classics, worship music, collectibles and more.
The Memorial Prayer Garden
Find moments of reflection alongside the burial sites of Graham and his wife of 63 years. The garden is also the resting place for Crusade team members George Beverly Shea, Billie Barrows and her husband, Cliff Barrows.
