Macon County Historical Museum

This Museum's collection includes artifacts from the earliest civilization of the area through the mid twentieth century.

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• Lesson plan: Civil War Journals Integrates creative writing with social studies and enhances knowledge of the effects of the Civil War on people.
• Lesson plan: Diary of a Tar Heel Confederate Soldier Students read the account of a private from Charlotte who served in the Civil War and grew tired of only hearing about the war from the perspectives of officers. After reading his experiences as a “man behind the gun” students will write their own point-of-view piece. They also have the opportunity to read other diary accounts from the war available through Documenting the American South.
• Picturing Modern America 1880-1920 Historical thinking exercises for middle and high school students that will build their abilities to analyze primary source documents and images and make connections with history. Students will use this knowledge to create historical exhibits, complete with images from American Memory and text they write themselves.
• Lesson plan: Learn about your county This activity will allow fourth grade students in North Carolina to learn more about the counties that surround their home county. Using online images, students will create a multimedia presentation to share with others.
• Quilts and Quiltmaking in America Interviews with quilters highlight quilting within the context of daily life. The online collection shows both highly traditional and innovative quilts, and demonstrates the artisans' excellent design and technical skill.
• Lesson plan: Quilts This lesson plan in designed to be one part of a fourth grade social studies unit on the Appalachian Mountains. It is based on the mountain custom of quilt making. This plan uses the book The Quiltmakers Gift by Jeff Brumbeau. It also uses the book internet site and other related sites. Enrichments of this lesson would be to display quilts, have a real quilt maker visit, have the class create their own paper quilt, etc.

Related pages

• Museum of the Cherokee Indian: Official site of the museum of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina.
• Waynesborough Historic Village: Visitors to this recreated village will feel as if the have stepped back in time. "Waynesborough's focus begins in 1701 with the first Tuscarora visit and ends in 1900 with a complete economic and social shift to Goldsboro."
• Clay County Historical and Arts Museum: Visit the red brick jailhouse that has been turned into a museum and exhibit space by the Clay County Historical and Arts Council.

Related topics

• Learn more about American Indians, Macon County, North Carolina, clothing, documents, history, history museums, local history, photographs, primary sources, and textiles.

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In 1904, the Reverend Jesse R. Pendergrass constructed the building which houses the Macon County Historical Museum. His General Store was considered the first commercial building in Macon County and it became a community gathering place in both winter and summer. The store was even used for wedding ceremonies led by Reverend Pendergrass.

In 1988, the Macon County Historical Society purchased the building which was in remarkably good condition. In 1990, it became the home of the Macon County Historical Museum, where visitors can learn about the local history and heritage of the area. Across the street, where the county courthouse now stands, one of the last surrenders of the Civil War east of the Mississippi took place. The site’s newly installed interpretive markers, one at the courthouse and one in the garden of the Museum, tell about that historic event. On May 12, 2007, Macon County and the city of Franklin will dedicate the markers. “A color guard will be present, followed by an unveiling ceremony. Refreshments will be served.”

When visiting the museum, students will be transported back to another time. They will see the museum’s original fixtures and interesting architectural details. Beautiful yellow pine cases line both sides of the museum and contain artifacts, tools, and household items. The museum has an extensive collection of medical instruments. Medicine bottles, apothecary jars, a mortar and pestle, and other medical supplies can be seen. “Included in the collection are pictures, brief biographical sketches, and medical bags which belonged to local doctors in Macon’s past.”

The museum houses a collection of rare books including a Bible which is printed in German and a Cherokee Bible printed in the Cherokee language. Visitors will also see period clothing representing the type of clothes which could have been purchased at the general store during the turn of the century. A Confederate War uniform, complete with bedroll is displayed on the mezzanine level of the museum.

Located on Main Street, the museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays and by appointment. Admission is free. To schedule a visit, call 828-524-9758 or send email to historical@smnet.net. Ask when the gentleman, a Civil War buff, will be available to lead your tour. Your students will be enthralled.

Please see the NC ECHO photographs of the Macon County Historical Museum.

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