November 2010

The Country Doctor Museum invites people of all ages to visit and learn about the history of rural health care in the United States. Docents lead tours through three buildings of exhibits and are available to answer questions.

In 2001, the Country Doctor Museum's board of directors decided to seek new stewardship. With its focus on primary care medicine, the division of Health Sciences at East Carolina University seemed to be an appropriate guardian. After two years of negotiations, the Museum was donated to the Medical Foundation of East Carolina University. Through an agreement with the Foundation, the Museum is managed today as part of the History Collections of Laupus Library. It still functions as the oldest museum in the U.S. dedicated to the history of rural health care in America.

The story of Badin township begancirca 10,000 B.C. when Native Americans camped on the hill above the falls of our river and fashioned spearheads from outcroppings of rhyolite rock. Many native tribes followed, using this area until the 1700's. Settlers arrived in the 1600's and 1700's and the river was given a name: the Yadkin. Learn about the history of the town from this beginning until present day.

By the end of the Civil War, Union and Confederate forces had consumed most of the beef east of the Mississippi. Joseph McCoy and Jesse Chisholm blazed a new trail in order to bring cattle safely across Indian Territory and the legendary Chisholm Trail was born.

The Backstreet Cultural Museum contains exhibits, artifacts, memorabilia, films and videos depicting Mardi Gras Indians, Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, and Traditional Jazz Funerals. These three elements represent cultural institutions born from the spirit of the community in an effort to define and express itself. These unique aspects of the African American heritage in New Orleans are guarded by those who still practice these traditions.

The Museum is housed in a creole cottage in the heart of a New Orleans neighborhood known as the “Treme”. The Museum and the Treme are cemented in history by a cultural legacy. The Backstreet Cultural Museum is perfectly at home in its surroundings and serves as a focal point of the Treme and the cultural community it represents. The Treme, located directly adjacent to the French Quarter, has been and continues to be a vibrant enclave of musicians and artists in New Orleans.

The 4-story mansion was built on a plantation south of Asheville approximately twenty years before the Civil War. Constructed on a hill’s summit, ringed by picturesque mountains, the manse was constructed by slave labor. During a time when most people lived in log cabins, the imposing structure was composed of rare brick. Slave labor was probably used to construct the impressive home. Today known as The Smith-McDowell House, it is the oldest surviving house in Asheville and the oldest brick house in Buncombe County, North Carolina.

Stanly County is a crossroads of history. Its people have helped mold and define the cultural landscape of the county, the state, and the nation for more than 10,000 years. Its citizens value their history and have diligently worked together to establish the Stanly County Museum to safeguard the objects of their heritage. Visitors are invited to discover the rich heritage that is Stanly County, North Carolina.

In the 19th Century the United States government resettled Native American tribes from all parts of the country into Indian Territory. During this removal process, part of the northern portion of what is now Oklahoma was given by treaty to the Cherokee Nation as a "perpetual outlet west . . ." Officially called the Cherokee Outlet, the region became known as the Cherokee Strip.

Virginia City is a living town of 150 year round residents who host the West's best preserved gold mining town from the 1860s. Visitors walk the same boardwalks that desperate Vigilantes once patrolled. Guests are transported to a time when rowdy miners mingled in saloons and restaurants with women of negotiable affection.

Ride the 1910 fully refurbished steam locomotive, the stagecoach, attend a live theater show, stay the night in homey historic lodging. Shop in unique gift and specialty shops. Enjoy fine dining and old-fashioned bakery and candy shop goods.

Nevada City, just 1.5 miles away has 14 historic buildings original to the site plus a collection of more than 100 other historic buildings saved from locations all over Montana. The town provides a great backdrop for Living History weekends available through the summer months. Visit the Nevada City Music Hall with a collection of historic music machines, gaviolis and player pianos--the largest music machine collection in the world open to the public.

The Mineral County Museum, free to all, opened in 1977 in response to the nation's bicentennial. It is also a repository of all local newspapers and many historical documents. In 1989 it expanded to become a resource center for Captain John Mullan and the Mullan Trail which runs the full length of Mineral Company All persons are welcome. Appointments are necessary for tours due to the lack of enough volunteers to staff the museum full time.

The Center houses a MonDak Pioneer Town Museum in its lower level with a street scene depicting an early MonDak region pioneer town. Upstairs are two art galleries, two libraries, and a gift shop featuring the work of regional artists, area authors and other unique gift items. All proceeds go to benefit the Center, which is operated by the MonDak Historical & Art Society, a private, not-for-profit, membership-based organization.

The Society was originally formed in 1967 and opened a temporary museum and art gallery known as the J.K. Ralston Museum and Art Center in 1972 in the "old hospital" in Sidney, Montana. Named after Ralston, the famed western artist and Richland County native, the Ralston Center operated until 1984, when the museum was moved to the recently completed "MonDak Heritage Center," its permanent and present location at 120 3rd Avenue SE in Sidney, Montana.