Billy Graham Library facts for kids
The Billy Graham Library is a special museum and library that tells the story of Billy Graham. He was a famous Christian speaker who shared his message with many people around the world. This large building, about 40,000 square feet, opened on June 5, 2007. The library is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, close to where Billy Graham grew up. It is designed to look like a dairy barn, complete with a "talking" cow, to remind visitors of Graham's childhood on a farm.
Exploring the Library's Exhibits
Inside the library, you can find many interesting things that show Billy Graham's life and work. There are presentations, pictures, music, and items from his long career. One part of the library is just for Ruth Bell Graham, who was Billy Graham's wife. You can also find a café called "Ruth's Attic" and a bookstore. All visitors walk through doors at the bottom of a tall, 40-foot glass cross to enter the library.
The Memorial Prayer Garden
The Memorial Prayer Garden is a peaceful place on the library grounds. Ruth Graham was buried here on June 17, 2007. Other important people connected to Billy Graham are also buried in this garden. Wilma "Billie" Barrows, the wife of Billy Graham's music director Cliff Barrows, was buried here in March 2009.
Later, in April 2013, Gospel singer George Beverly Shea, who often sang at Graham's events, was also buried in the garden. Cliff Barrows was buried next to his wife in November 2016. Billy Graham's own funeral was held on March 2, 2018, in a large tent on the library grounds. This tent was like the ones he used for his first big events. After the funeral, Billy Graham was buried next to his wife in the Prayer Garden.
Images for kids
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The Appreciation Walkway at the Billy Graham Library leads to the graves of Billy Graham and Ruth Bell Graham.
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The childhood home of Billy Graham's mother, Morrow Coffey Graham, is preserved at the library.
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A copy of Billy Graham's desk, showing where he worked.
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A model of a Graham Brothers Dairy truck, on display at the library.
See also
- List of Billy Graham's crusades
