For us? You shouldn’t have. We think living in the Queen City is the greatest gift of all, but our city has actually been on the receiving end of quite a few delightful donations. From major land contributions to grand statues, check out these three unique gifts given to Charlotte.

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art| This building is hard to miss on South Tryon Street, with striking architectural lines and an iconic sculpture adorning its plaza. The Bechtler family, particularly Charlotte resident Andreas Bechtler, generously committed his impressive collection of modern art — more than 1,400 pieces — to the museum, laying the foundation for this cultural treasure when it opened its doors in 2010.

Lake Norman was created between 1959 and 1964. | Photo provided by Archives & Special Collections, Davidson College Library, Davidson, NC

Land for Lake Norman State Park | Between 1959 and 1964, Lake Norman was formed when Duke Power Company (now Duke Energy) built the Cowans Ford Dam across the Catawba River to generate power. As the lake took shape, Duke Power donated 1,328 acres of land on its northeastern shore, laying the foundation for Lake Norman State Park.

The park, which officially opened its gates in 1962, now offers 1,942 acres with plenty of opportunities for adventure, from hiking and biking to fishing and boating, all set against the stunning backdrop of NC’s largest man-made lake.

"Old Man Traffic," celebrating the life of local man Hugh McManaway, debuted in Myers Park on December 9, 2000. | Photo by CLTtoday

“Old Man Traffic” | Slow down to check out this statue of Charlotte native Hugh McManaway, located just blocks from his childhood home in Myers Park. Debuted in 2000, the statue honors McManaway, who spent the 1960s and 1970s directing traffic at the intersection.

After his death in 1989, friends, family, and supporters raised funds to honor his legacy, with a generous donation from Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl making the statue possible.

These extraordinary gifts not only add character and value to our Charlotte, but also show how generosity can have a lasting impact.