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November 2010

A 'For Sale' sign hammered into the front lawn of the old doctor's building was all the motivation needed to begin the Mint Hill Historical Society. Twenty-one citizens signed the charter in 1985 with the purpose of preserving the history of the area. The Mint Hill Country Doctor's Museum was the first restoration project in the Carl J. McEwen Historic Village. Later the Ira V. Ferguson Country Store moved on site, then the Ashcraft Schoolhouse, meat curing building, and additional outbuildings, all coming together to create a glimpse of life, 100 years ago.

This mine is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States.

From this discovery, gold mining spread gradually to nearby counties and eventually into other southern states. During its peak years gold mining was second only to farming in the number of North Carolinians it employed. The estimated value of gold reached over one million dollars a year. North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, when it was eclipsed by the great rush to California.

 

Portions of the underground tunnels at the Reed mine have been restored for guided tours. A visitor center contains exhibits of gold and historical mining equipment. An orientation film highlights the first gold discovery, and tours of a restored ore-crushing stamp mill are offered. A picnic area is available, and trails wind through the historic mining area.

As early as 1907, citizens of Lincoln County determined a need in the county for an historical society to acquire and preserve the artifactual history of the county and make plans for the propagation of this history for posterity. Local supporters explained that local preservation of historic relics, and development of a site to store and display these relics would add charm that was found in the New England states. They explained that the appeal of these states lies in their marking of “every spot where an event of any importance occurred.”

The Caldwell Heritage Museum was opened in 1991 and is dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of Caldwell County, North Carolina. The museum is located in Lenoir, conveniently located near Highway 321, Highway 18, and Interstate-40. In town, the exhibit hall is located at 112 Vaiden Street behind the Davenport School.

It is located in the last remaining building of Davenport College, a prestigious institution of higher learning that was supported by the Methodist Church from 1855 to 1933.

The synagogue is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the D.C. Inventory of Historic Sites, and the Historic American Buildings Survey. It is an Official Project of the Save America’s Treasures program.

Founded by volunteers in 1960, the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington was incorporated in 1965 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to interpreting Jewish history in the greater Washington area. In 1969, galvanized by the pending demolition of the oldest synagogue building in the nation’s capital, Society members arranged for the historic building to be moved three city blocks to its present location. After extensive restoration, the synagogue was rededicated and opened to the public as the Lillian & Albert Small Jewish Museum in 1975.

The Society has purchased and moved into a building to serve as its first permanent home. The 8,000-square foot building, located at 701 4th Street, NW, is located just steps from the historic 1876 synagogue. The new building will house gallery space for outreach activities as well as administrative offices.

The Museum is operated by the High Point Historical Society, a private, non-profit organization founded in 1966. The High Point Historical Society is dedicated to researching the history of the High Point area and presenting local history to the public through its Museum exhibitions and programs. Membership in the Society is open to all that are interested in these objectives.

The Historical Society works together with the City of High Point to provide financial support to the Museum. Additional funds are raised through membership sales, Museum Store proceeds, sponsorships, special events and grants. Admission to the Museum is free.

Abraham Sanders built the brick house in 1730 for his wife, Judith, and their six children. The grounds remain virtually unchanged and include a seasonal herb garden and a Quaker cemetery dating to the 17th century.

The Newbold-White House is the oldest house in the state open to the public on a regular basis. Simple yet elegant, it has been called an architectural gem. Meticulously restored, the house appears much as it did when it was built in 1730. Most of the house’s eighteenth century brick is original and is set in a beautiful pattern. Stunning leaded glass windows enhance the house’s appearance. Inside the house, you’ll discover two enormous fireplaces, original pine woodwork, and a winding corner stairway. Period furnishings and household goods recapture the rugged charm of early eighteenth century domestic life.

The land around the Newbold-White House has been continuously occupied since 1684 when it was obtained by Joseph Scott. In 1672, Scott, a Quaker, hosted George Fox, the founder of the Society of Friends or Quakers. The Quakers have continued to hold meetings in the county ever since.

The museum is housed in six rooms of the Historic Henderson County Courthouse. “Let Freedom Ring,” the inaugural exhibit at the HendersonCountyHeritageMuseum, is the story of the people of HendersonCounty and their fight for freedom, their heritage and their land. This story is told with artifact displays, multi-media presentations and graphic elements on display walls.

Visit the museum and view a vintage moving picture in the Crystal Theatre, listen in on a conversation at the local Telephone Exchange, or become a pharmacist at the Richardson-Fariss Drugstore. Here, visitors will discover first hand the rich history of the Piedmont area. Visitors can also learn about short story writer O. Henry, First Lady Dolley Madison, the Greensboro Sit-ins, war, work life and much more. Make sure to take a stroll through homes built in the 1700s or visit the First Presbyterian cemetery and see the graves of North Carolina Governor John Motley Morehead or family members of William Sydney Porter (O. Henry).

The Town of Granite Falls purchased the historic home of Andrew Baird, one of the Town's original founders, which was built in the 1790's and stands today as the second oldest home in Caldwell County. The Town was awarded an NC Department of Transportation Enhancement Grant in the amount of $335,000, which was used to perform a historic restoration, construct sidewalks and bike paths and to acquire transportation related artifacts.

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