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McDowell

Historic Carson House
The Historic Carson House, built in 1793 by Colonel John Carson and home of the Carson family until well after the Civil War, is restored and maintained by the Carson House, Inc. for the education and enjoyment of the public. Collections include period furnishings, ornaments, and textiles, some items original to the house and the Carson family, manuscripts and vertical files on the history of the house, the Carson Family, the Greenlee family, and other topics of local historical and genealogical interest.

Location:
1805 US Hwy 70 W 4 Miles from Marion
Old Fort NC 28752
View photographs
from NC ECHO's visit to this institution
Mailing Address
1805 US Hwy 70 W
Marion NC 28752


Phone: (828) 724-4948
Fax:
Contact: Anne Swann

Mountain Gateway Museum
The Mountain Gateway Museum showcases mountain lifestyle and history from the earliest original inhabitants through the settlement period and into the twentieth century. Museum highlights include an introductory video presentation, self-guided tours, living history exhibits, collections of photographs, tools, and housewares, rotating and traveling exhibits, educational programs, festivals, two 19th century log cabins moved to the site, an outdoor amphitheater, and a picnic area. The museum is located in a beautiful 1936 WPA stone community building on the banks of historic Mill Creek. In addition to its dedication to promoting knowledge of Appalachia's history through collections, exhibits, and preservation work, the Mountain Gateway Museum also operates an innovative Museum Service Center that offers professional support to regional private museums, historic house museums, and cultural institutions.

Location:
102 Water Street
Old Fort NC 28762
View photographs
from NC ECHO's visit to this institution
Mailing Address
PO Box 1286
Old Fort NC 28762


Phone: (828) 668-9259
Fax: (828) 668-0041
Contact: Terrell Finley

Emerald Village
North Carolina Mining Museum

Emerald Village and its North Carolina Mining Museum explore the history, heritage, and lore of the mining industry of the North Carolina mountains. The large North Carolina Mining Museum is located adjacent to and inside the historic Bon Ami Mine and features a general mining history exhibit, information on the minerals extracted and their uses, authentic mining equipment, and fascinating information on the Bon Ami Mine and Bon Ami Company. Also at Emerald Village additional museum displays exhibit quilts, and tobacco and other manufacturing advertisements and products, and visitors can enjoy a small Antique Music Museum, a mountain homestead farm exhibit, a Gallery of Minerals, and other changing exhibits.

Location:
387 McKinney Mine Road
Little Switzerland NC 28749
View photographs
from NC ECHO's visit to this institution
Mailing Address
Emerald Village PO Box 98
Little Switzerland NC 28749


Phone: (828) 765-6463
Fax: (828) 765-4367

Old Fort Railroad Depot Museum
The Old Fort Railroad Depot Museum collects and exhibits artifacts, memorabilia, ephemera, and other material related to the history of the Old Fort Depot, the history of the Southern Railway Company, and the history of the town of Old Fort. The McDowell Tourism Development Authority operates a visitor center in the depot assisting visitors and train enthusiasts through the railroad museum portion of the building. Open Monday - Saturday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Location:
25 West Main Street
Old Fort NC 28762
View photographs
from NC ECHO's visit to this institution
Mailing Address
PO Box 1567
Old Fort NC 28762


Phone: (828) 668-7223
Fax: (828) 668-7223
Contact: Carol B. Price

McDowell County Public Library
North Carolina Collection/Abe Simmons Room

The North Carolina Collection/Abe Simmons Room at the McDowell County Public Library in Marion provides researchers with a great many secondary and primary sources for the study of North Carolina, regional, and McDowell County history and genealogy. This special collection is particularly strong in local historic photographs; local resources of limited publication such as high school yearbooks, city directories, and family histories; and state documents concerning the gem and mineral mining industry in the local area.

Location:
90 West Court Street
Marion NC 28752
View photographs
from NC ECHO's visit to this institution
Mailing Address
90 West Court Street
Marion NC 28752


Phone: (828) 652-3858
Fax: (828) 652-2098
Contact: Patti Holda