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Exhibit
pictures from an ECHO visit to the Caldwell
Heritage Museum. As the Museum's displays are constantly updated
and rotated, the pictures highlight the Museum's collections rather than
representing the current displays. (ECHO = Exploring
[North Carolina] Cultural Heritage Online)
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Caldwell County history.
We are now in a locality that has probably
been seldom trodden by the foot of man since the creation of the
world. For seventy or eighty miles we have been travelling over
terrible mountains, and along very dangerous places where there
was no way at all. With respect to this place we are encamped -
one might call it a basin or kettle. It is a cove in the
mountains with very rich soil. Two creeks - one larger than the
other - flow through it. Various springs of very sweet water
form lovely meadow islands. ... Our horses find abundant
pasture among the buffalo haunts and tame grass among the
springs, which they eat greedily. (Bishop Spangenberg,
1752)
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The
Caldwell Heritage Museum encompasses
almost two dozen permanent displays of donated artifacts covering
the entirety of Caldwell County's history. These displays are spread
over the two floors of the museum. Some of the displays have their
own
expanded pages.
In addition,
special displays
are featured by the entrance on the main floor, across from the gift
shop. These special displays change approximately every three
months.
(Click on any image
for a larger version.) |
Main floor:
1. Native Americans, pre-1763. Spears, arrowheads, clubs, axes
and soapstone shards from the regional Indian cultures in Western
North Carolina.2. Pioneer/Revolutionary: 1763-1841. Early maps
showing natural boundaries and landmarks as well as Bishop
Spangenberg's survey. Locations of frontier forts, Fort Defiance and
Port Grider.
3. Formation of county: 1841-1861. Deeds of the land that became
Lenoir, the county seat. Photos of the early days and the first
courthouse. |
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4. Civil War: 1861-1865. Letter from a local Civil
War veteran. Copies of the original enlistment list of the first
company formed in Caldwell County. Samples of Confederate money.
Photos of Caldwell County veterans. Replica uniforms.
5. The county progresses:
1865-1900. The turnpike connected Lenoir to Blowing Rock. County
Commission form of government established. |
| 6. The Fire Department: 1877. Early bucket from bucket
brigade; fire bell, fire box, and photos of the development of the
Lenoir fire department. 7. The Railroad: 1884. The railroad
opened the county for transportation as well as to importing and
exporting.
8. Furniture (1889) and other industries. Furniture has been the
economic backbone of Caldwell County. Daily life was settled into
routine in the county. Towns of Granite Falls, Rhodhiss, and Hudson
incorporated. |
| 9.
The 20th century: 1950- Communications with the outside world
became modern with telephones, telegraph, radio and television.
10. More towns incorporated;
winter storms; Billy Graham preaches in Lenoir; the county moves
forward. |
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| 11. Miscellaneous items,
such as a replica of a moonshine still and
scale models of the 1887 Chapel
of Rest (Lenoir) and the 1885 Chapel of Peace
(in Catawba County). (Farm implements have been moved
from here to Exhibit 19, the Potpourri Room.)
12. (Stage area). The
20th century: 1900-1950. Spinning wheels and looms as well as the
coverlets and quilts show how items where made by hand. The musical
instruments reflect the musical tastes of an earlier period.
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| 13. Reading and listening room (the Library). The
Rufus B. Davis musical collection ranging from Grand Ole Opry.
Military books from the William Strawn and Hamp Robbins libraries.
Papers of Nancy Alexander and other local historians. Clipping files
from local newspapers, and other records of local families. (The
clipping files and other records are being kept current.) |
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Second floor:
14. Military room.
Uniforms, documents, photos, weapons, and artifacts from 20th
century wars.
15. Kitchen items used in the preparation and preservation of
food.
16. Children's toys and
paraphernalia. (The business machines formerly in this room have
been moved to Exhibit 19.) |
| 17. Caldwell
County music room. Band items and uniforms from several Caldwell
County schools. Items from George Kirsten's musical collection and
about other Caldwell County musicians. (See more on this
expanded page.) 18. Medical room. Equipment belonging to Drs. A. A.
Kent, Marcus Hickman, and Harry Hickman. Portrait of Dr. Caroline
McNairy. Photos of other Caldwell County physicians. (See more on
this
expanded page.) |
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| 21.
Davenport College room. Pictures and artifacts
that reflect life at Davenport. A partial collection of Davenport
yearbooks and catalogs. (See more on this
expanded page.) 22. An open fireplace, a rope bed, and
household items show life from earlier days.(See more on this
expanded page.) |
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Older exhibit pictures from an ECHO visit to the Caldwell
Heritage Museum. As the Museum's displays are constantly updated
and rotated, the pictures highlight the Museum's collections rather than
representing the current displays. |
