“It’s not often that you have the chance to visually see how the past helped to shape the present, and eventually, the future.” – Participant, CBI bus tour
Launched in 2011, CBI Bus Tours are intended as an innovative, interactive approach to bringing the history of Charlotte to life, while exploring how our shared history and “what’s in the ground” in our community impacts our present and our future. The tours were developed and tested with the support of a grant from the Arts & Science Council, in collaboration with Dr. Tom Hanchett (Community Historian, Levine Museum of the New South, retired) and John Howard (City of Charlotte, Historic Districts Commission).
Based on the success of the pilot tour series, “Charlotte in Black & White... and More,” CBI offered the tours as an ongoing program beginning in June 2012, offering community tours on the second Friday of every other month for several years, thanks to support provided by Wells Fargo Community Development, Foundation For The Carolinas and Bank of America. CBI is currently working to secure funding to once again offer bus tours open to the general public.
Customized Bus Tours
In addition to “Charlotte in Black & White… and More,” CBI continues to develop bus tours that speak to different “things in the ground” in Charlotte. In 2019, tours focused on our LGBT history helped us to tell a fuller story of our past.
Contracted Bus Tours
Contracted tours are available for any corporate or community group that wants to engage its members in an interactive opportunity to explore Charlotte's past, present, and future. Contracted tours are customized by interested organizations with the support of CBI staff. Contact us to learn more about scheduling your contracted tour as well as pricing.
Virtual Bus Tours
CBI’s signature bus tour experience has been adapted as a virtual presentation for your team. Contact us to learn more about this “bus tour without the bus!”