The Museum opens Purses, Platforms & Power: Women Changing Charlotte in the 1970s, which receives two national awards: named one of the two best exhibits in the nation by The American Association of Museums and given the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history by The American Association for State and Local History.

For its exhibit COURAGE: The Carolina Story that Changed America, the Museum is one of six recipients of the 2005 National Awards for Museum and Library Service, the federal government’s highest honor for community service provided by museums and libraries. The award is presented during a ceremony at the White House by First Lady Laura Bush.