The Wheels On The Bus Go Round & Round: The History of the Provisional Tour

from The CRIER Summer 2023

Active Spotlight Olivia Morris

By: Madison Baer

The city of Charlotte is pulsating with the imprint of the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc (JLC). Almost everywhere you turn, you can find a landmark that the JLC had a hand in building or funding. We also encourage you to go on your own JLC landmark tour this summer (tag @jlcharlotte on Instagram to document your favorites).

Prior to COVID-19, the JLC organized a historic bus tour to introduce the newest batch of Provisionals to Charlotte and to witness the mark the JLC has left on this beautiful city. Over half the city’s most influential places carry the echo of JLC ladies banding together to make a difference for our community.

While on the tour, in addition to receiving a historical overview of the city’s evolution over the years, the Provisionals learned about many of the sites that the Junior League of Charlotte brought to life. The JLC invested money and time into these organizations that, upon completion, were turned over to others to manage.

For example, in 1948, the League sponsored the Nature Museum and assumed half the responsibility for the total budget, with the other half being financed by the parks and recreation commission. Then in 1978, the Junior League of Charlotte again financed the Nature Museum and grew it into the Discovery Place with support of volunteers from the League.

In 1976, the JLC accepted the Berryhill Preservation Project and purchased the first home in the Fourth Ward, the Berryhill Newcombe House. The project’s goal was to preserve the historical architecture and buildings in Charlotte. The Berryhill house is a popular site on the tour where the Provisionals can often receive an impromptu tour of the house, which is also home to an original Renoir painting.

In addition to the places mentioned above, other well known locations in Charlotte with significant connections to the JLC include:

1. The Duke Mansion (once owned by the JLC)

2. Ronald McDonald Levine Hospice and Family Resource Center

3. Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center

4. Historic Rosedale

5. Council for Children’s Rights

6. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte

7. The Mint Museums

8. The Relatives (Alexander Children’s Network)

9. Florence Crittenton Home

10. Thompson Child and Family Focus

11. Johnston YMCA