Board accepts Foundation Forward gift to install 'Charters of Freedom' display; county to cover site work

Foundation Forward representatives proposed a “Charters of Freedom” educational display to be donated to Randolph County and the board approved accepting the gift and funding modest site preparation costs (estimated $9,000–$10,000). The foundation will provide the etched-bronze displays while the county will handle concrete, power and landscaping work.

Jeff Morse (Foundation Forward) described the display components — life-size etched reproductions of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution (all seven articles) and the Bill of Rights, with optional additional pedestals listing the civil-rights amendments. "This is a gift that we want to give to the citizens of Randolph County," Morse said, and the foundation offered to coordinate installation and a community dedication ceremony. He said the foundation has placed similar settings in 60 counties and aims to have all 100 North Carolina counties completed by the end of 2026.

County staff noted that acceptance would carry some county responsibilities: site concrete, electrical conduit for nighttime lighting, and potential landscape buffering; staff estimated those costs at about $9,000–$10,000. The board moved, seconded and approved accepting the gift and directed staff to prepare a letter of intent and legal documents to finalize details.