The Caldwell County Historical Society was organized in 1949 and chartered as a non-profit corporation on July 3, 1950. The purpose as stated in the charter continues as:  “…to investigate and study the history of Caldwell County, provide for collecting of information relevant thereto; protect and display archival documents, records, artifacts; mark and preserve historic sites and buildings; own, lease, operate, or sell real or personal property, publish and sell a history or other works of interest to citizens of Caldwell County.”  

The first president of the Caldwell County Historical Society was Mrs. W. I. Pitts, and one of the first items of business for the group was to find a location for a museum. In this they were finally successful when the museum opened to the public in 1991.  The museum and the historical society are now separately incorporated, and each continues its own work in the common purpose of saving Caldwell County history for future generations.

SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

•  Membership dues for 2010 are $15.00 per person per calendar year and are pro-rated quarterly.

•  Members joining for the current year between April 1 and June 30 pay $11.25; between July 1 and September 30, $7.50; after October 1, $3.75 for the remainder of the year. 

• Checks should be made to the Caldwell County Historical Society and may be mailed to 112 Vaiden St. SW, Lenoir NC 28645..

Historical Society Officers: Barbara Watson, President; Mary Gay Hickman, Vice-President; Andrea Calloway, Secretary; Judy Beal, Treasurer; Charles Triplett (2010), Lynda Campbell (2011),  and Ray Church (2012), Members-at-Large.   

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Civil War Markers

               The maintenance fee for the two Civil War Trails markers in the county is $200.00 per marker or $400.00 per year.  The Historical Society has a special account for the markers and gifts designated for the account are appreciated.  The fee is covered for 2010, but donations in any amount are being accepted for 2011 and beyond. Make checks to “Civil War Markers” and mail or bring to the above address.  One marker is located at Patterson across from Happy Valley School and the other is in Lenoir at the corner of Main Street and Harper Avenue. 

Bethel Colony Packets

Members of the society prepared seventy-five packets of writing materials for Bethel Colony residents for Christmas.  A special thank you to members who contributed materials and/or worked: Bev and Judy Beal, Andrea Calloway, Lynda Campbell, Ginger Cannon, John Hawkins, Kathryn Jackson, Jim and Lucy Mc Carl, Clyde and Hellen Poole, Carolyn and Darrell Sigmon, Charles Triplett, Charlotte Warren, and Barbara Watson.  The packs were delivered on December 16.

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