Radio studio model - he knew the power of broadcasting.
License plate he had on his car while in Washington, DC.
Good only while there.President G.W. Bush greeting him.
Annimated cat that is in the barn replica where Billy helped his father; the story of his roots.6/11 Monday After a slow start for the day punctuated by heavy clouds and the clear threat of a much needed rain, we finally left to check out some bowling locations Phyllis will be going to over the next two days. Completing that project we headed off for the new Billy Graham Library that opened to the public for seven days. Although it is on the edge of downtown Charlotte, NC it is quiet and very peaceful.
Billy Franklin Graham was raised on a farm, so the theme of the library reflects an old farm barn with a silo. As you enter the barn, the entrance is the base of a very large glass cross; symbolic of the only way to Heaven is through the Cross of Jesus Christ. Even the least observant most likely will recognize this symbolism.
Once inside a talking cow that tells stories of Billy’s life on the farm greets you and tells how he came to Jesus. From there you move to a small theatre where you see clips of Billy’s early ministry work, how he came to meet Ruth his wife, and how spoke to millions of people across the world while being the pastor to eleven US presidents. This helps you understand some of the displays that will follow on your self-guided tour.
In 1948 Billy went to Los Angeles to hold a tent revival. The tent was not that large and the revival was to last two weeks, but it went on an additional six weeks because the crowds continued to come each night. This revival made his name known across the country and also helped him know God’s plan for his life. He headed only one church in his career, a Baptist church in the Chicago area. The rest of his life was to be spent preaching the Word to packed stadiums throughout the world.
The library has interesting and attractive displays of many of the gifts he was given by people of all walks of life. One display includes the notes Edward R. Morrow used to introduce Billy when the dinner they were attending turned out to be the This Is Your Life TV show that was very popular around 1960. The person whose life was being featured did not know he or she was to be so honored on the program. Another display shows a plaque from Queen Elizabeth along with notes that when ask what she hoped would come in her lifetime, she responded, “Jesus would return to earth so she could lay her crown at his feet”.
The whole museum is a marvel of electronics. Displays, lights and sound come alive as you walk through the facility in a way that causes you to focus on as many as three or four displays within the same room, but in sequence before leading you through another doorway to the next room. In some cases actual doors automatically open allowing you to enter the next exhibit.
The grounds were lush with many garden areas. There were areas to sit surrounded by woods, flowers and relative quiet to pray and reflect. The gardens are to literally to be walked through and benches provided and made to look like split logs from days of old.
If you go here, take your camera, but leave your phone and other things that can disrupt you in your vehicle. This library will provide spiritual comfort to anyone willing to open his or her heart to the Lord.
6/14 It was announced that Ruth Graham died after a lengthy medical problem. Billy had said she was the love of his life after being together over 60 years. He also said she was the Christian person he always wanted to be.
