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A Brief History
It was a Sunday afternoon, October 12,1997,
that members of the Robertson family, various Salisbury community and government leaders, and interested citizens
gathered in a newly contructed park at the corner of East Innes and Depot streets near the train depot.The park was being
dedicated as Robertson Eastern Gateway Park.
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Dedication of Robertson Gateway park, October 12, 1997
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Julian Robertson, Jr. and his wife, Josie, prime benfactors of the park, attended along
with Juilan's sisters- Wyndham Robertson of Chapel Hill and Blanche Bacon of Raleigh.
During the dedication ceremony, Mr. Robertson spoke fondly of his
Salisbury childhood and announced that he was setting up a foundation that would serve the people of Salisbury and named in memory of his parents, Blanche and
Julian Robertson. He also announced members of the board of directors. On January 2, 1998, The Blanche & Julian Robertson Family Foundation, inc. "opened
for business".
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Blanche S. Robertson died December 28,1993, ending the Robertsons' marriage of 62 years.
Active in the civic and social life of Salisbury, she was a founder and trustee emeritus of Historic Salisbury Foundation. Charming and witty, she said that shortly
after moving to Salisbury, she knew she would never be a real Salisburian, but did one thing for her children, saying "I borned them Episcopalians and Salisburians."
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Julian H. Robertson, Sr. died February 22,1995 at age 95. A prominent North Carolina businessman, he was widely known and respected for his leadership in the textile industry and banking,
as well as civic and church life in Salisbury.
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Over $19.5 million has been awarded in grants to
nearly 120 organizations and agencies in the past
a11 years-funding projects ranging from adult and family
issues to community health, performing and visual arts,
to tutoring vand childcare, to history and preservation,
bricks & mortar to youth activities.
The generosity of Julian H. Robertson, Jr. in being the
creative spark behind the foundation 's birth, as well as
its principal donor, isparallel in our community's history.
The gift and vision of this very successful and philanthropic
"son of Salisbury" will benefit this area and it citizens for many
years to come.
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