Jesse Helms Center facts for kids
The Helms Center
|
|
| Established | 1994; current building 2001 |
|---|---|
| Location | Wingate, North Carolina |
The Jesse Helms Center is a special place located in Wingate, North Carolina. It's named after its founder, Jesse Helms, who was a very important U.S. Senator. This center keeps many of his important things. You can find his papers, letters, speeches, and even recordings of his TV talks. It also has books about faith and a copy of his office desk. There are also items from his political campaigns, like old advertisements.
Contents
About the Center
The Jesse Helms Center was started in 1994. Senator Helms wanted his important papers to be kept in his home county. So, he chose Wingate University, a private school he once attended. The center's main building opened in 2001. It's a two-story building made of brick and glass. It sits right next to the Wingate Town Hall.
What You Can Find There
The center is like a big library and museum for Senator Helms's life. It holds many different kinds of historical items. These include:
- His official papers and letters.
- Copies of speeches he gave.
- Recordings of his TV editorials.
- Books that were important to him.
- A replica of his actual U.S. Senate office.
- Materials from his election campaigns.
Leadership and Management
Since 1995, the person in charge of the Jesse Helms Center has been John Dodd. A group of people called a board of directors helps to guide the organization. They make sure the center runs smoothly and achieves its goals.
Educational Programs
The Helms Center is not just a museum. It also hosts many educational events. These programs help people learn about politics and history.
Special Lecture Series
The center often invites famous people to give talks. These talks are part of a special lecture series. Some of the notable speakers have included:
- Margaret Thatcher, who was the Prime Minister of Britain.
- Condoleezza Rice, who was the United States Secretary of State.
- The Dalai Lama of Tibet, a spiritual leader.
Foreign Relations School
The center also runs an annual program called the Helms Foreign Relations School. This school teaches students about how countries interact with each other. It lasts for two days and is held close to Washington, D.C.. Jesse Helms was one of only two senators from North Carolina to lead the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The other was Nathaniel Macon, who also has an exhibit at the center.
