Mitchell

Mayland Community College, Learning Resources Center
Mayland Community College Appalachian Room
The Appalachian Room in the Learning Resources Center at Mayland Community College collects and makes available to the public books and other material useful in the study of genealogy and history of the Appalachian region. Specific items of interest in this collection include sources on gem and mineral mining, and the Toe River Genealogical Society's unpublished vertical files.

Emerald Village

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.

Penland School of Crafts
Jane Kessler Memorial Archives
The Jane Kessler Memorial Archives at the Penland School of Crafts documents the history of the school, the revival of traditional craft in the 1920's and 1930's, and the evolution of contemporary craft today. The Archives houses the records of the school including administrative records, manuscript collections, student enrollment records, school catalogs, and a large photograph collection. Most collections are available to approved researchers by appointment.

Blue Ridge Parkway
Museum of North Carolina Minerals
The Museum of North Carolina Minerals contains exhibits of representative native minerals. Many precious and semi-precious stones found in North Carolina are exhibited. Also interpreted in the museum is mining in the Spruce Pine area.