Historic Sites and Museums

The Past Is Right At Home

Here in Catawba County, the past is something we cherish and celebrate. First settled by the Catawba Indians in 1747, the Catawba Valley is overflowing with history and tradition. Follow the footsteps of our forefathers on an invigorating walking tour. Step back in time in one of our fascinating museums. Get an impromptu history lesson from one of our friendly locals. Whatever you’re looking to explore, the spirit of the past has never been more alive. Come discover our hometown traditions.

Historic Sites and Museums

Balls Creek Campground

Buffalo Shoals Road in Catawba. The tradition of annual religious revivals started at Grassy Branch (now Terrell) by Methodists during the late 1790's. This tradition continued when the present Ball Creek Campground was constructed in 1853 as a central location to all the Methodist congregations in eastern Catawba County. The yearly two-week revivals at the Balls Creek Campground continue to the present day. These revivals have only been interrupted on two occasions, one was for rowdiness, the other during wartime. The campground and its several hundreds of tents are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bunker Hill Covered Bridge         828-465-0383

14 miles east of Hickory off Hwy. 70, Claremont. The 1895 historic Bunker Hill Covered Bridge is one of only two covered bridges remaining in North Carolina. It also remains as the lone example of the use of the "haupt" truss design named for Civil War engineer / bridge builder Herman Haupt. The bridge's 85 foot span crosses Lyles Creek. 
See http://www.catawbahistory.org

Catawba County Museum of History      828-465-0383

Catawba County's history is exhibited at the 1924 Catawba County Courthouse. The extensive collection includes a rare British Revolution era red coat, a 1930's racing car and a fine collection of locally crafted furniture. The Catawba County Historical Association's valuable collection is housed in the greater part of the courthouse building with eight major galleries, museum store and reception area. The lower level features a law and government gallery, which includes an old jail cell. Closed Mondays. 
See http://www.catawbahistory.org/museum.htm

Catawba Valley Furniture Museum        828-322-3510

Hickory Furniture Mart, 2220 Hwy. 70 E. Trace the roots of the furniture industry in Catawba Valley. Tour the authentic reproduction of an early Catawba woodworking shop and see the collection of vintage tools and furnishings.
Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
See http://www.hickoryfurniture.com

Firefighters Museum of Catawba County       828-466-0911

3957 Herman Sipe Rd., Conover. Equipment and photos dating back to the early 1900's are on display in this museum, which includes a 40' x 100' exhibit hall. Among the items on display are six fire trucks, the oldest of which is a 1936 American LaFrance pumper. Dedicated in May of 1994, this museum is geared toward educating visitors about fire safety and the fire service. Admission is free (donations accepted). Open to the public Saturdays 11:00 am - 4:00 pm; Sundays 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm; Monday-Friday by appointment only for school and community groups.

Fort Defiance                                                                                                   828-758-1671

Hwy. 268, Lenoir (off Hwy. 321). Historic restoration of the 18th-century home of General William Lenoir. Tours and group picnics available. Open April through October. Call for hours.

"From This Day Forward"        800-743-8398

401 Church St. NW, Valdese. Explore the history of the Waldensians, a religious sect dating back to the Reformation. The historic drama depicts the plight of the Waldensians in the Alps of Italy and their eventual arrival in Valdese in 1893. Performances Friday-Sunday, at 8:15 p.m, mid-July through mid-August.     

Historic Newton Walking Tour         828-465-7400

Take a tour through the Newton North Main Avenue historic district. You will find 100 historically significant buildings including two churches and one school adaptively reused as an administrative building and a civic performance place. The 1924 Courthouse is the home of the Catawba County Museum of History.

The Ivey Arboretum in Carolina Park         828-323-7500/828-322-7046

Located adjacent to downtown Hickory on NC Hwy. 127 North. Hickory is the home of the Ivey Arboretum, a collection of over 400 labeled species of native and rare trees and shrubs within a three-acre park. The Arboretum was founded by local industrialist and tree enthusiast George Ivey in 1936 in historic Carolina Park (1904). The Arboretum was recently restored with the replacement of many of the unusual plant specimens. Guided tours are available.
See www.ci.hickory.nc.us/publicsvcs/iveyarboretum.htm

Maple Grove         828-322-4731

542 2nd St. NE, Hwy. 127 North, Hickory. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Maple Grove is a restored Italianate-style house built in 1883. Experience Maple Grove’s tranquility featuring authentic Victorian furnishings. Self-guided tour. Guided tour by appointment. Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
See www.ci.hickory.nc.us/history/maple_grove.htm

Murray’s Mill Historic Site        828-465-0383/828-241-4299

NC Hwy. 10, near the town of Catawba. I-40, exit 138. One of the few agriculturally related North Carolina historic sites, the Murray’s Mill complex is nestled in the rolling hills along Balls Creek in rural Catawba County. This restored complex consists of a grist mill (first built in the 1880's and later restored in 1913) powered by a huge overshot waterwheel, an 1890's country store, an 1880's wheat house, and the miller’s residence, first built in 1913 and later restored in 1935. See www.catawbahistory.org

Old Hickory Brewery              828-323-8753

The only micro-brewery in the Unifour, offers not only unique beer but a very unique atmosphere as well. The eight handcrafted beers available on tape are accented by a dining room furnished with booths made from 1000-gallon wine casks from the Old Bernard Winery of Valdese. The beers themselves keep with the "local" theme by having such names as Brown Mountain Light and Table Rock Pale Ale after local western North Carolina sites and Crawdad Red after the local minor league team. Monday - Thursday 11:00 am - 11:00 pm; Friday - Saturday 11:00 am - 12:00 midnight. See www.oldhickorybrewery.com

Old St. Paul’s Lutheran Church          828-464-9786

St. Paul's Church Rd., Newton. Old St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is a two-story log weather-boarded church, featuring an impressive federal-style interior including intricately carved sounding board and moldings and a slave balcony. Built in 1818, it remains the oldest existing church in North Carolina west of the Catawba River. Graveyard headstones date to the late 1700s.

Propst House          828-322-4731

547 6th St. NW in the Shuford Memorial Gardens, Hickory. A Second Empire-style cottage built in 1883, the Propst House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. House Beautiful magazine referred to this home of a master craftsman as a "Victorian gem." Thursdays and Sundays 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. and other times by appointment.
See www.ci.hickory.nc.us/history/propsthouse.htm

Terrell Country Store         828-478-2065

Corner of Hwy. 150 and Sherrills Ford Rd. Built in 1891, this country store was the focal point of Terrell for trade and commerce in southeastern Catawba County. The post office was housed in this building from 1893 to 1997. See www.catawbahistory.org

Waldensian Heritage Wines           828-879-3202

4940 Villar Lane NE, Valdese. Open for tours and tasting every Friday through Sunday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m., the winery offers the same variety of wines made by original Waldensian winemakers.

Waldensian Museum        828-874-2531

208 Rodoret St. SE, Valdese. Explore the history of the Waldenses, a religious sect dating back to the Reformation. Housed in a building that matches the architecture of the historic Waldensian Presbyterian Church. Call to arrange a guided tour. Seehttp://www.waldensianpresbyterian.com/museum.htm

Waldensian Trail Of Faith        800-635-4778/828-874-1893

401 Church St. NW, Valdese. Explore a stone fortress and secret cave as the pages of Waldensian history unfold. The tour also includes a medieval church and other historical structures. Open Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Guided tours available.