On October 31, 1956 U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Conrad “Gus” Shinn became the first pilot to land at the South Pole. In September, Conrad Shinn will celebrate his 100th Birthday, and the Mint Hill Historic Society is proud to mark this special occasion with an exhibit honoring the man and his historic achievement.

Shinn was born in Spray, North Carolina, and his daughter, who lives in Mint Hill, has generously donated an assortment of objects, pictures, letters, and memorabilia from her father’s time in Antarctica.

The exhibit will run through the month of September at the Mint Hill Historic Society in the Mr. and Mrs. James Hampton Black, Jr. Historic Room. Please join us and learn about Conrad Shinn’s early life and naval career, “Operation Deep Freeze” and his experience as the first pilot to land at the South Pole.

The Mint Hill Historic Society is located at 7601 Matthews-Mint Hill Road in Mint Hill. We are open Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Saturday from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm.