North Carolina Lapel Pin

This pin is emblazoned with beehive insignia from an original North Carolina Military Institute button.

The North Carolina Military Institute opened in 1858, in Charlotte, NC. The school closed prematurely when the Civil War began, with the Governor ordering cadets to serve as drill masters and superintendent D.H. Hill going on to serve as a general for the Confederacy. 

Beehive or Hornets' Nest? The North Carolina Military Institute Button depicts either a Hornets' Nest or Beehive. . . Hornets' Nest would be making reference to the flag design from the War for Independence. However, there are historical references to this design and the button as a Beehive. 

The pin is enamel and is approximately 1 inch tall.