James Holshouser Jr.

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James Eubert Holshouser Jr., who died Monday at age 78, was governor of North Carolina from 1973 to 1977 and was the first Republican governor of North Carolina in the 20th Century.

The public is invited to visit the Rotunda in the State Capitol to sign the official condolence book for former Governor Holshouser with a pen made from a white oak tree that was on the State Capitol grounds during his tenure. The condolence book and the pen will be presented to his daughter Ginny Holshouser Mills by the Governor’s staff.

“James Holshouser was more than a friend and mentor, he was a genuine leader,” said Governor McCrory. “His passing is not only a loss for the state of North Carolina, but for the countless number of people who were personally touched by his guidance and kindness. Ann and I will have the Holshouser family in our prayers. His counsel was invaluable, Compassion was the foundation of Governor Holshouser’s life. He was a champion of education. He made health care available in counties that didn’t have doctors. And he provided historic professional opportunities to women and minorities. North Carolina is a better place because of his leadership and heart.”

The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources is honored to preserve Gov. Holshouser’s official records as governor, which are housed in the State Archives of North Carolina along with the official papers of other North Carolina governors dating back to 1663.

“The Department of Cultural Resources, like all of North Carolina, will certainly miss the leadership and service of Governor Holshouser,” said Susan Kluttz, secretary of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. “He led our state through difficult times and made significant investments in its people through his support of education, environmental protection and economic development. He was groundbreaking in his support of women and minorities, appointing a great many to leadership roles in state government. Governor Holshouser was especially supportive of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, presiding over many United States Bicentennial events that our department sponsored during his tenure. He will certainly be missed.”

The North Carolina Museum of History holds examples of some of his campaign materials. It also preserves his wife Patricia’s inaugural gown; his desk, which is now in the Governor’s Office in the Department of Administration Building; his portrait, which is on exhibit in the Executive Mansion; and his bust.

You can learn more about Gov. James Holshouser’s life and legacy on NCPedia and see photos of him on the State Archives Flickr site.

The State Capitol, State Archives and N.C. Museum of History are all part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, a state agency dedicated to the promotion and protection of North Carolina’s arts, history, and culture. For more information, visit http://www.ncdcr.gov/.