Belmont Abbey College to Establish Patrick McHenry Papers in Abbot Vincent Taylor Library Archives and Host Highway Dedication in His Honor
Belmont Abbey College to Establish Patrick McHenry Papers in Abbot Vincent Taylor Library Archives and Host Highway Dedication in His Honor
Belmont, N.C. (September 10th, 2026) – Belmont Abbey College is thrilled to celebrate the legacy of alumnus Patrick McHenry with the addition of his papers to the Abbot Vincent Taylor Library’s Special Collections. The collection preserves the story of one of the college’s distinguished alumni and his nearly two decades of public service to North Carolina and the nation. The college will mark the occasion with a special ribbon-cutting of the collection on October 3 during its annual Homecoming festivities. The event will also include a dedication of the “Congressman Patrick McHenry Highway,” courtesy of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), following legislation led by Senator Brad Overcash.
The addition of the Honorable Patrick McHenry Papers represents a landmark acquisition for the Abbot Vincent Taylor Library’s Special Collections and Belmont Abbey College as a whole. The archive significantly expands the Library’s holdings, adding more than 58,000 files documenting two decades of congressional service.
The collection includes committee files, policy research, correspondence, press materials, and awards. These materials create new opportunities for research in modern American history, political science, financial regulation, digital asset policy, and North Carolina political history, while providing students and faculty with access to a substantial body of contemporary primary sources.
For Belmont Abbey, the acquisition strengthens the college’s research capacity and extends the reach of the Abbot Vincent Taylor Library to researchers and educators both regionally and nationally. As a Belmont Abbey alumnus, McHenry’s papers hold particular significance for the college, connecting his professional legacy and decades of public service with the institution that helped shape his early life and education.
Alexxis Lynn, Director of Library Services at Belmont Abbey College, emphasized the significance of preserving McHenry’s legacy at his alma mater. “We are honored to preserve Congressman McHenry’s papers here at Belmont Abbey. As an alumnus of the college, his story is an important part of our institutional history. This collection will preserve that history while providing valuable primary sources for generations of students, faculty, researchers, and educators.”
The event will also include the dedication of the “Congressman Patrick McHenry Highway,” in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The highway designation recognizes McHenry’s nearly two decades of service representing the people of North Carolina in Congress and his longstanding commitment to the region. The designation provides a lasting public tribute to his leadership and contributions to the state.
“Congressman McHenry accomplished so much during his landmark 20 years in Congress,” said Senator Brad Overcash. “That’s why I was honored to lead the effort, supported by our Gaston Delegation, in the NC General Assembly to name a section of Highway 16 in his native Gaston County after him.”
This special ribbon-cutting and dedication will bring together representatives from Belmont Abbey College, NCDOT, government and community leaders, the McHenry family, alumni, students, and friends of the college to celebrate McHenry’s legacy and the preservation of his papers at his alma mater.
For more information about Belmont Abbey College, please visit www.belmontabbeycollege.edu.
About Belmont Abbey College: Founded in 1876, Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic baccalaureate and liberal arts institution. Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and to others. Our beautiful and historic campus is conveniently located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., and is currently home to more than 1500 students. For more information, visit belmontabbeycollege.edu.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sarah Bolton
P: 704-461-7016 E: sarahbolton@bac.edu
