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Museums In Partnership's High Country Group

The Museum will be hosting the initial meeting of the High Country Group of the Western Region of Museums in Partnership on Wednesday, July 6. Members of the group will bring bag lunches and meet at Saint James Church in the Hogan Room at 11:30 a.m. A program and a tour of the Oertel Art at Saint James will follow lunch. The group will also tour the Caldwell Heritage Museum. Museums in Partnership (MIP) is a new (in 2011) resource for museum professionals in Western North Carolina. It is a program of Friends of Mountain History. The program's purpose is to share information, experience, knowledge, and perhaps resources.

Painting The Caldwell County Schools room on the second floor has been painted. The Caldwell County Historical Society paid for the project and the work was done by David E. Colvard Contracting. The Society adopted the room and is giving it a new look. Charles Triplett, Museum Assistant, painted the Toys and Games Room, also on the second floor.

Expressions of Gratitude …to the Compensatory Education Instructors at CCC & TI for the plants in front of the Museum in memory of deceased Board member, Steve Jaynes …to Bob Hensley for helping with the selection and putting the plants in the ground. He also donated other plants for the grounds …to the Caldwell County Historical Society for financing the painting of the Caldwell County Schools Room and for replacing an urn on the outside of the building

…to AJ’s Family Steakhouse for donating meals to volunteers with over 50 hours of serving during 2010 and for chicken tenders for May Open House
…to Myra Dickson for a vegetable tray and to Dottie Lloyd for a fruit tray for May Open House
…to Lib Barnette, Judy Beal, and Sue Shatley for desserts for Volunteer Appreciation
…to Colin Foust and Bob Hensley for helping with the Cub Scout visit
…to Jack Adams, Bob Booth, Lynda Campbell for helping with the Mount Olive Lutheran Church group
…to Jack Adams, Steve Branch, Lynda Campbell, and Barbara Watson for helping with the Teaching Fellows
…to Jack Adams, Beverly Beal, Judy Beal, Wayne Beane, Bob Booth, Steve Branch, Betty Buss, Andrea Calloway, Myra Dickson, Colin Foust, Kathryn Jackson, Darrell Lloyd, Dottie Lloyd, Jamie Spears and Charles Triplett for helping with Open House
…to Ryan Swank, South Caldwell student who worked in the Medical Room for credit
…to West Caldwell student, Jamie Spears, the newest volunteer
…to Pete Kidder for leading our retreat
…to Karin Borei for her continuing work with the Museum's web site

From the Director's Desk         ………………………………………...….          John O. Hawkins

Getting excited.

It’s an exciting time at the Caldwell Heritage Museum. I am not sure that I can recount all the things that have us elated. The listing order is in no way indicative of the importance nor is it a chronology of the happenings.

First, the second of our DVD series recording the history of Caldwell County is in progress. Much of the work has been done. We are planning to have the premier at the October Fifth Sunday Open House.

Second, at the same Open House our 2011 Christmas card and our 2012 township calendars will be on sale. Melba Stapleton is assisting with the card selection again this year which will be a snow scene of Grandfather Mountain painted by Dustin Turnmyre.

Third, two more rooms have been painted. The Caldwell County Historical Society adopted the Caldwell County Schools room and they decided a coat of paint was needed. Charles Triplett painted the Toys and Games room. In addition, several displays have been upgraded with mounted photos and new labels making them more “museum quality.”

Fourth, our exterior doors have been reworked. The Caldwell County Schools maintenance personnel examined the old doors, determined they were in relatively good condition and could be reworked. All the doors now fit better and they are easier of manipulate.

Fifth, security cameras, which have been needed for a long time, have been installed. Board members, Bob Booth and Mike Gibbons, were instrumental in getting this project going. So when you come to visit, smile!

Sixth, our Bethel Colony Open House is just around the corner. We have done this for several years to say thanks for their helping us maintain our yard and in other ways. The Bethel residents are always so appreciative, and those of us who volunteer on that day enjoy it just as much as they do.

Seventh, our July Fifth Sunday Open House will feature Collettsville Historical Society items on display. They will even furnish the refreshments! Come out and greet your friends from the Collettsville community. This active group is an example to all of us when it comes to preserving the history of their community.

Eighth, our Board field trip this year will be to the Catawba County Museum in Newton in the morning and then to Hart’s Farm in the afternoon. Board members, who attend at their own expense, are always inspired when we see what others are doing, and it is a wonderful way to get to know each other better.

Ninth, for the second time in our history, we had a retreat for Board members, Museum staff, and regular volunteers. Pete Kidder, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity in Caldwell County, led us in making long-range plans and determining a course of action. You’ll be hearing more about it.

Tenth, the Compensatory Education Instructors at CCC & TI planted a memorial garden to Steven Jaynes in the front of the building. Bob Hensley, who helped select plants for the memorial, also donated additional plants for the Davenport School side of the building and put them in the ground. The Historical Society donated an urn to replace one that vandals had
taken. All these items add to the beauty of the grounds.

I’ve run out of fingers for counting and space for writing, so I must come to an end. Hopefully, you have a little idea why we are excited. We hope our excitement is contagious.