On November 15, the North Carolina Museum of History will unveil its newest exhibit, Law and Justice: The Supreme Court of North Carolina, 1819–2019 (#SupremeCourtNC200). Filled with stories, court cases, artifacts, and images, this timely exhibit celebrates the Supreme Court of North Carolina during its bicentennial anniversary and reveals the untold narrative of the state’s highest court from its founding until the present day.

“We are so excited about this new exhibit and the opportunity it provides to experience the evolution of our state’s highest court over the past two hundred years,” said Chief Justice Cheri Beasley. “The Supreme Court of North Carolina was founded to improve the daily lives of the people of this state by interpreting the law in a way that is just, fair, and consistent. As we continue to strive toward that worthy goal in the Court’s third century of service to the people, this exhibit reminds us how far we’ve come and celebrates the larger-than-life figures whose time on the Court profoundly shaped the law as we know it today.”

The Court’s story unfolds on the walls of the exhibit and reveals the accounts of courageous men and women who devoted themselves to addressing the most pressing legal issues of their day, from the death penalty, to civil rights, and the institution of slavery.

Who were the personalities that shaped North Carolina’s highest court, and what were the circumstances that shaped North Carolina’s body of laws? How does a court case move through the North Carolina system to reach the Supreme Court? How did the law and Court evolve and adapt to changes in society? Law and Justice: The Supreme Court of North Carolina, 1819–2019, answers these questions and more.

“It is my hope that through this exhibit, North Carolinians will recognize the important role of the Supreme Court and join the celebration of our highest court’s bicentennial year,” said former Associate Justice Willis Whichard who lead the effort to create the exhibit.

Law and Justice: The Supreme Court of North Carolina, 1819–2019, will run from November 15, 2019 through May 31, 2020. The exhibit is a collaboration of the North Carolina Museum of History, the North Carolina Supreme Court Historical Society, and the North Carolina Judicial Branch.