The Jesse Helms Center exists to continue the work of former U. S. Senator Jesse Helms by promoting the principles of free enterprise and traditional American values. The work of the Helms Center involves education, historical preservation, and public policy promotion through a variety of programs for students, scholars, and the general public.
The Jesse Helms Center Foundation's programs are offered at little or no cost to the public. This is made possible by the support of foundations, individuals and corporations who recognize the value of the programs and the non-partisan commitment of the foundation.
2006 Annual Report (PDF)
A Brief History of the Jesse Helms Center
Board of Directors
Helms Center Staff
A Brief History of the Jesse Helms Center
The Jesse Helms Center is as unique as the man it honors. Its foundation goes back more than two decades to the day when Dr. Paul Corts, then president of Wingate College, approached Senator Helms to ask if the Senator would consider designating that school as the repository for his official papers. Senator Helms had previously been approached by a number of other schools, all much better known than Wingate, but Senator Helms had a special affection for Wingate. That school had opened its doors to him when he did not have the money to begin college. Senator Helms remembered that kindness shown to a young man whose family was struggling during the Depression. So, to the surprise of those who assumed that a powerful Senator would want his papers at a famous institution, Senator Helms decided chose Wingate as an expression of his appreciation for their record of providing opportunity to students with promise.
The decision to designate the papers to Wingate prompted many friends of both the school and the Senator to propose the creation of a special building for the papers that would also honor the Senator. Senator Helms adamantly rejected the idea of what he called “a dusty museum.” But, at the urging of his wife and best friend, Dot Helms, he agreed to allow the creation of an organization that would put its main focus on programs to educate students and encourage all citizens to value the principles that the Senator cherished and supported throughout his career.
The Jesse Helms Center was established to do just that – to help preserve and promote the values upon which our nation was founded. Today, the Center is known around the world for its public lecture series; its outreach to young people through the Free Enterprise Leadership Challenge; its training programs for young leaders who are embarking on careers in government; its seminars for teachers who are seeking resources for teaching on the Bill of Rights and other core topics that are uniquely American; citizen seminars on a host of government issues and the Laws of Life essay competition for character education in middle and high schools.
Today the Jesse Helms Center is headquartered in a beautiful building located across the street from the entrance to Wingate University. This building includes a wing for the Helms archives; but, in keeping with Senator Helms’ clear directive, this is no dusty museum. It is, instead, the hub from which all programs of the Helms Center extend, honoring Senator Helms by modeling his commitment to service.
Board of Directors
The Hon. William “Bill” Cobey, Jr.
Chairman of the Board
Durham, North Carolina
Mr. H. Clark Goodwin
Vice-Chairman
Monroe, North Carolina
Mr. John R. Dodd
President, The Jesse Helms Center Foundation
Charlotte, North Carolina
Mr. William M. Graham
Secretary
Salisbury, North Carolina
Mr. Leroy Pittman
Treasurer
Monroe, North Carolina
Mr. Marion Bagwell
Reidsville, North Carolina
Mr. Hoover Adams
Dunn, North Carolina
Mr. Jimmy Broughton
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Mr. C. C. Dickson, Jr.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Mrs. Nancy Helms Grigg
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Mrs. Dorothy Helms
Raleigh, North Carolina
Mrs. Jane Helms Knox
Raleigh, North Carolina
Dr. Jerry E. McGee
Wingate, North Carolina
Mr. Roger Milliken
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Mr. Dennis Moser
Indian Trail, North Carolina
Mr. Walter Price
Charlotte, North Carolina
Mrs. Mary Summa
Charlotte, North Carolina
Mr. Tom Boney, Jr.
Graham, North Carolina
Mr. Bobby Brown
Raleigh, North Carolina
Mr. Andy Hartsfield
Durham, North Carolina
Mr. Christian Josi
Washington, District of Columbia
Mr. Robert Pittenger
Charlotte, North Carolina
Mr. Jack Lail
New London, North Carolina
Mr. Neal Rhoades
Raleigh, North Carolina
Mr. Dennis Yates
Concord, North Carolina |
