Catawba County Historical Association

Are you ready for some football?

2010-09-16T14:42:00.002-04:00

How about Newton-Conover High School football...circa 1950? Courtesy of The Cardinal yearbook:

A team picture:

And, what's football without cheerleaders?

Back to School

2010-08-27T10:22:00.000-04:00

With Catawba County schools back in session this week and the CCHA's exhibition on Catawba College now installed in the museum hallway, we'd like to share some images from our collection and from the latest book available for purchase in the gift shop, So Close to My Heart: Memories of Catawba College in Newton, North Carolina.

Classroom, circa 1880s

Library, circa 1906

Interior of a room in the men's dormitory, circa 1906

Poker Run on Saturday

2010-06-16T02:33:00.000-04:00

A reminder that the CCHA's first poker run, visiting historic sites throughout Catawba County, will be held on Saturday, June 19. For more information, see below or visit Murray's Mill on Facebook.

Summer reading: Truth Magazine, 1899 [part 1]

2010-06-09T20:12:00.002-04:00

" How racy was this?"

Here are some scans from summer issues of Truth magazine from 1899. I have not been able to found a lot of information on this social commentary publication, but from what I found on PBS's History Detectives website has been quite interesting. Here's an excerpt from an interview:

Rich West: It’s a great image. This is very typical of the work that he did for “Truth” magazine in the 1890s.

Wes: I’m not familiar with “Truth” magazine.

Rich: It was a dominant 1890s publication. They called themselves “the handsomest illustrated magazine in the world.”

Wes: Oh, great!

Rich: And this is an example, I think, of why it could rightly claim that title.

Wes: So, Rich, have you seen this particular image in “Truth?”

Rich: It’s vaguely familiar to me. I may have seen it before, but I can’t really place it.

Wes: So what exactly would this have looked like in the magazine?

Rich: Well, I’m sure they had the name “Truth” up at the top that’s been trimmed off and there most certainly was a caption on the bottom that’s been lost.

Wes: Really?

Rich: It’s very rare to find any 1890s artwork where the editor couldn’t resist putting in a tag line. Yeah, I suspect it’s not because the artist supplied these beautiful drawings, but the editors supplied the captions, and my guess is it’s probably wittier than that.

Wes: Do you have any copies of “Truth?”

Rich: Yes.

Wes: Can we take a look at some?

Rich: Sure, let’s go.

Wes: Okay, great.

Rich: So there’s a woman on the cover.

Wes: That’s unusual, isn’t it?

Rich: Yes, especially this early. Of course, after the turn of the century, every magazine in America had a woman on the cover, but at this time, it was an unusual thing.

Wes: How racy was this?

Rich: There were a lot of libraries that refused to subscribe to a magazine like “Truth” because it was not appropriate family reading matter.

Summer time

2010-06-02T10:56:00.000-04:00

From the archives...some lovely ladies and gentlemen enjoying warm weather...anybody know who they might be or where they are? The last photo looks like maybe a 4th of July celebration...do you see the American flags?

Sherrills Ford Strings

2010-05-20T09:48:00.000-04:00

We recently acquired a photograph to add to our archives. The writing on the back says, "Sherrills Ford Young Tarheels Farmers Band 1934-36." It was given by Mr. Charlton Lindler, who is the last on the right in the first row, with the banjo. Thank you for your contribution! Does anyone know anything more about this group?

Confederate Memorial

2010-05-13T23:44:00.001-04:00

Monday marked Confederate Memorial Day in both North and South Carolina. May 10 commemorates Stonewall Jackson's death in 1863 and the capture of Jefferson Davis in 1865. Five other states also officially observe Confederate Memorial Day: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas. Common events on this date include services and ceremonies to place flags and wreaths on Confederate graves and memorials. This wreath was added by the UDC to the memorial on the courthouse square in downtown Newton.

The holiday is usually surrounded by controversy. What do readers think? Is Confederate Memorial Day necessary? Did you know about the ceremony?

Retro summer

2010-05-12T09:44:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow and Friday's weather is supposed be hot, hot, hot! Thought I'd share this photo from the archives. Does anyone know who these bathing beauties (taken in Hickory) might be?

Preservation Week

2010-05-10T15:58:00.001-04:00

President Obama once wrote, “Part of America's genius has always been its ability to absorb newcomers, to forge a national identity out of the disparate lot that arrived on our shores.“ The memories and treasures of individuals, families, and communities are essential to the record of this process—they contribute to our understanding of history and its participants just as collections in libraries, museums, and archives do.

Memories and treasures should last a lifetime and be passed on to future generations. The first national collections Preservation Week, “Pass It On!”, will take place May 9-15, 2010. Sponsored by the ALA’s Association of Library Collections and Services and partner organizations, Preservation Week will inspire actions to preserve personal, family and community collections of all kinds, as well as library, museum and archive collections. It will raise awareness of the role libraries and other cultural institutions can play in providing ongoing preservation information. Local libraries, museums, and archives are asked to do one thing in their communities to celebrate Preservation Week, even if the action or activity is small. For more information, visit http://www.ala.org/preservationweek.

The first Mother's Day holiday

2010-05-09T10:13:00.000-04:00

From The History Channel:

"On this day in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issues a presidential proclamation that officially establishes the first national Mother's Day holiday to celebrate America's mothers.

The idea for a "Mother's Day" is credited by some to Julia Ward Howe (1872) and by others to Anna Jarvis (1907), who both suggested a holiday dedicated to a day of peace. Many individual states celebrated Mother's Day by 1911, but it was not until Wilson lobbied Congress in 1914 that Mother's Day was officially set on the second Sunday of every May. In his first Mother's Day proclamation, Wilson stated that the holiday offered a chance to "[publicly express] our love and reverence for the mothers of our country."

This sweet photograph of a mother and daughter is from the archives. Happy Mother's Day!

V-E (Victory in Europe) Day

2010-05-08T11:04:00.000-04:00

May 8, 1945 marks V-E or VE Day, the day on which the Allied forces accepted the surrender of Nazi German forces, ending the reign Adolf Hitler's Third Reich in Europe. Many of Catawba County's World War II vets served in the European Theater. We'd like to share a few snapshots of Catawba soldiers we've had the pleasure of scanning over the past few weeks:

"Hello Mom, This is me taking it easy on a spring day here in Germany. I'll be sitting on the porch at home soon. Love, Joe"

Happy birthday, Jen!

2010-05-03T17:08:00.000-04:00

Today is a CCHA staffer's birthday--Jen--museum registrar, Murray's Mill site manager, and milling extraordinaire! Happy birthday!!

Happy May Day

2010-04-30T09:46:00.000-04:00

May Day and Maypole celebrations are common in Germanic countries. Since many Catawbans trace their roots back to Germany, the tradition of "winding the maypole" lived on. Many residents recall the weaving of ribbons around a wooden or metal pole to music, creating a lovely pattern to welcome spring. The above picture was taken in Hickory, and I believe that George Lyerly is in it, but correct me if I'm wrong.

A woman online actually collects postcards of different maypole dances and May Day festivities and can be found here. She got the postcards from California and they are so interesting! She also has links to learn more about this intriguing ritual.

Her own recollection of the celebration: "I remember that the pole was in the school yard and the colorful crepe paper ribbons were attached to the top. The boys would have a ribbon and walk to the right, the girls would take a ribbon and walk left. The boys and girls would walk in opposite directions holding the ribbons taut. As the children met, we would alternate by going under the ribbon of the first boy then go over the ribbon of the next boy (the boys would reverse the pattern) and so on. This up and down or in and out movement would create a weaving pattern (tabby weave) down the pole as the ribbons got shorter and shorter. I'm not positive, but I think there was an odd number of either boys or an odd number of girls in order to create the weave. It was almost like a dance because we moved to music. The winding of the Maypole was a traditional activity every year that the whole school participated in to welcome spring. Also, when I was young we made May baskets out of squares cut from left over wall paper--rolling them into cone shapes, adding a handle, then filling the baskets with handpicked flowers. That evening we would hang them on our friends' doors (usually older seniors), ring the door bell or knock, then run and hide and watch them find the flowers from our hiding places. I have very fond childhood memories of May Day."

Happy May Day, Catawba County!

Book Includes Murray's Mill

2010-04-27T13:16:00.000-04:00

Last weekend, a visitor to the Mill brought with her a great book entitled "Our Vanishing Americana," by Mike Lassiter. She brought it because her goal is to visit all the different places featured in the publication and have an employee or interpreter at each location sign her book. Kind of like a North Carolina-themed "bucket list."

The book was beautiful and I was surprised by the pages dedicated to Murray's Mill, right here in Catawba County. Check out the website for the book, learn more about the author's project, keep updated on news and events, and enjoy some photographs.

Lassiter, a Statesville native and UNC Chapel Hill grad, teamed up with PBS to create a production based on his book in 2009. Enjoy the site...and turn your volume up! The website has nice music.

The Mill always has great guests with wonderful stories to share. Thank you!

Earth Day

2010-04-22T10:50:00.000-04:00

For Earth Day, we wanted to remind readers that Murray's Mill is collecting aluminum cans to raise money for two projects: painting the waterwheel and getting a glass case made for Lloyd Murray's CLOSED sign. Collecting aluminum cans for these projects uses items that are already available at the mill and is environmentally friendly. It helps contain waste that could end up around our site, on the road, and in the creek. It also shows that lots of 'little bits' together can make something big and a big difference. Thanks for your support!

"Run of the Mill" Saturday

2010-04-17T22:32:00.000-04:00

Today Murray's Mill hosted Catawba Valley Community College's "Seeds of Service" 5k cross-country run/walk. Registration began at 8 and the race kicked off at 9 am. Volunteers cheered runners along with encouraging words and water. The day started out a little bit cool and overcast but warmed up and was gorgeous by the end of the event.

Race proceeds this year benefit Safe Harbor Rescue Mission in Hickory and New Vision Ministries, a global organization that helps feed children in Haiti.

Visit www.safeharborrescuemission.org and www.reeveshaiti.org to learn more about these charities. Enjoy the photos from the day!

Taxes through Time

2010-04-15T20:30:00.001-04:00

Ever find yourself sitting around wondering, "how did the U.S. government finance the Civil War?" Yeah, I didn't think so, but the answer might surprise you--in fact, you may even have evidence of it in some old family scrapbooks.

In "celebration" of today being federal income tax day, I wanted to share something interesting I recently learned while researching photographs for a genealogy project. I was trying to estimate dates from a few photos called cabinet cards or carte-de-visites (a "CDV" in archival jargon). You may be familiar with CDVs without realizing it; they are portraits, usually of a quite stoic-looking ancestor, printed onto what feels like cardboard. A clue on the back gave me a date range that helped significantly.

They were quite popular in the 1860s as they were relatively inexpensive and could be mailed easily or used as calling cards. You could even buy CDVs of famous people, such as Ulysses S. Grant, and studio portraits of entertainers, actors, and actresses, sort of like collecting baseball cards would be later on.

Anyway, on the backs of many CDVs are small adhesive squares of paper that look much like postage stamps, a direct result of the Revenue Act of 1862 (Now that whole Stamp Act thing from social studies is starting to make sense, right? Yep, actual stamps on paper). You can read more here.

Virtually every document was required to carry a tax stamp, as were many proprietary articles such as matches, medicines, playing cards, perfume, and, you guessed it, photographs--but only for a short period of time, thus narrowing down the possible date ranges for this mystery person.

While many of these stamps have been lost over time, the durability of CDVs allowed some to survive. The two I have on my photographs are both blue, 2-cent stamps featuring George Washington's portrait, but there were several varieties printed during the "War Between the States." Start looking at the backs of your pictures and see what you may find!

"Wanted: War stories"

2010-04-12T11:23:00.004-04:00

The CCHA's participation in the Veterans History Project was featured on the front page of the Hickory Daily Record today. You can read the article here. Please contact the Museum of History, (828) 465-0383 or our website for more information.

The Hickory Crawdads

2010-04-11T21:11:00.003-04:00

In the Charlotte Observer today, there was an article about the Hickory Crawdads baseball team getting a new field manager, Bill Richardson.

In February, the CCHA received a mounted article donated by the Hickory Crawdads. The article, entitled "Hickory Sticks," was front page news in the August 15, 1994 issue of the "The Sporting News" magazine. "The Sporting News" was established in 1886 to cover baseball. It currently publishes articles about several sports and is owned by American City Business Journals, a company based in Charlotte.

"Hickory Sticks" profiles the team, "Crawdadmania," and provides photographs of spectators in L.P. Frans Stadium. The minor league team, initially affiliated with the Chicago White Sox, debuted in 1993. The Crawdads set the South Atlantic League attendance record that year.

The Hickory Crawdads now are a Class A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. The first home game of the 2010 season is April 16 versus the Kannapolis Intimidators.

Miracle of Hickory

2010-04-10T10:04:00.005-04:00

Have you seen the "Miracle of Hickory" exhibition at the Hickory History Center yet? Incredible story about our community coming together to fight the polio epidemic of the 1940s. For further reading about polio and Hickory, Joyce Hostetter has written several wonderful books about the topic, including "Blue" and "Comfort". Joyce also recently blogged about our blog! You can read more here. Thanks, Joyce!

Pretty day for a picnic!

2010-04-09T11:38:00.005-04:00

This weekend's weather is supposed to be warm and sunny. Both Murray's Mill and the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge make great places for a picnic. You'll find picnic tables in several locations on the mill property as well as a nature trail along the creek. The General Store will be open with sodas in glass bottles (they just taste so much better that way!) for sale. Come on out and welcome spring!

Bunker Hill Covered Bridge.

Balls Creek at Murray's Mill.

View of the pond at Murray's Mill.

Opening Day

2010-04-08T13:13:00.004-04:00

In celebration of the start of baseball season, a few photos from the archives...for more baseball, know that the Hickory Crawdads play their first home game 4/16!

Closed for Easter

2010-04-03T13:18:00.004-04:00

All CCHA sites will be closed tomorrow, April 4, for Easter. Thank you and have a wonderful holiday!

Vintage Easter greetings

2010-04-02T10:42:00.001-04:00

From the archives...

WWII Interview Updates

2010-03-29T09:37:00.004-04:00

The staff at the Catawba County Historical Association has been having a wonderful time interviewing local WWII veterans and their families. The stories we have the opportunity to hear have been just incredible. Their experiences and sacrifices are a debt that can never be repaid. It's an honor to be able to record their stories they've shared.

Often the most surprising aspects of the interviews are the artifacts, or as one veteran put it, the "trinkets," that they have kept over the years. Sometimes they arrive in grocery bags or shoe boxes, but what they contain are priceless glimpses into the past during a world-altering war. From souvenirs to insignia, we've seen a huge variety of pieces that the men and women have treasured. We'd like to post of few of things we've seen so far. Hope you enjoy as much as we have!

It's Annual Pottery Festival time!

2010-03-25T23:08:00.004-04:00

The 13th annual Catawba Valley Pottery and Antiques Festival will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2010, at the Hickory Metro Convention Center, I-40, Exit 125 in Hickory, NC from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

The Festival is a fundraising event for two non-profit institutions, the Catawba County Historical Association and the North Carolina Pottery Center. Tickets are $6.00 for adults and $2.00 for children 12 and under and are available at the door. Ticket holders will be entered into a drawing for door prizes.

Friday night, March 26, 2010 is the Preview Party from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. A southern-style supper, live entertainment, and the early buying opportunity make this a popular event. Advance tickets are required and must be purchased by March 19, 2010. Tickets are $40. No Preview Party tickets will be sold at the door. Please call 828-324-7294 for purchase information.

Do you have a piece of pottery of unknown background? Representatives from the North Carolina Pottery Collectors' Guild will be available to offer expert opinions on the possible background and history of individual collectors' pieces.

In addition to the 110 pottery and antique vendors from all over the Southeast, this year's festival will feature a pottery exhibit prepared by Dr. Terry Zug, retired University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill professor and author of Turners and Burners: The Folk Potters of North Carolina.

The speaker this year is Stephen C. Compton, a native of Alamance County, North Carolina. Steve holds an A.B. in anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, M.Div. from Duke University, and D. Min. from Emory University and currently is the district superintendent for the Sanford District of The United Methodist Church. He formerly served as president of the board of directors for the North Carolina Pottery Center and was a founding member and first president of the North Carolina Pottery Collectors’ Guild.

An avid collector of North Carolina pottery for nearly twenty years, Steve has assembled a group of about 1,000 pieces of pottery dating from the 18th century to the present, including utilitarian earthenware, stoneware, and art pottery. Objects from his collection have been displayed in numerous exhibits and publications. Publication of a book edited by him, North Carolina Earthenware: Origin of a Ceramic Tradition, is pending.

For further information on the Catawba Valley Pottery and Antiques Festival, please contact 828-322-3943 or
828-324-7294.

Spring showers

2010-03-21T13:38:00.004-04:00

It's raining and warmer today than it has been since autumn...spring is truly coming! These recently acquired pieces are so pretty that we had to share. They are hand-embroidered tray scarves and dresser scarves. The butterflies and flowers seemed perfect for celebrating spring's long-awaited arrival!

Exhibit case transformation...

2010-02-27T13:29:00.003-05:00

One of the downstairs exhibit cases was recently updated. It now features objects from Clinton A. Cilley, a Union officer during the Civil War who later made his home in Catawba County. Come see!

Murray's Mill in the Movies

2010-02-25T20:39:00.007-05:00

While searching the archives recently, I came across an old issue of the Hickory Metro newsletter from 1996. Much to my surprise the front page showed Murray's Mill--but it looked a little bit different...turns out, Murray's Mill was the set of a 1996 NBC movie, The Lottery. It is based on Shirley Jackson's famous short story and the screenplay was written by Anthony Spinner. You can read the story here. The movie starred Keri Russell and Dan Cortese.

Another movie filmed at the Mill was Wildflower in 1991. Also a made-for-tv movie, it was directed by Diane Keaton and featured Beau Bridges and a young Reese Witherspoon.

The Mill reopens for the season March 13th. Come visit--it's famous!

Winter Wonderland

2010-02-21T10:54:00.005-05:00

While most of the snow has melted from the past week, I recently found some beautiful photographs of the Courthouse with several feet of snow. These were taken in the 1940s. They are just lovely! Hope you enjoy them as well. Do you think we'll see more snow this winter?

Preservation workshop coming soon...

2010-02-20T09:50:00.004-05:00

After the success of last year, we have decided to hold the Preservation Workshops again. The first workshop will be held on February 27 and will focus on photography. The workshop will explore the history and dating of photographs and how to identify the type of photographic process; methods on how to scan and digitally repair or enhance photographic images, and safe ways to store and display your photographic images.

Workshop participants are invited to bring one personal collection item related to the workshop topic for review by the instructor and will receive handouts and a list of preservation resources.

Pre-registration is required, and the workshops are $15.00 per person, $12.00 for members, and includes a boxed lunch. Please call 828-324-7294 for reservations. Reservation deadline is February 25th.

Hyalyn "Meet and Greet"

2010-02-19T21:36:00.000-05:00

In preparation of the Catawba County Historical Association’s exhibit on Hyalyn Porcelain, the Hickory History Center is hosting a Hyalyn “Meet and Greet.” Hyalyn employees, interns and individuals interested in Hyalyn, are invited to the event on Saturday, March 6, 10:00am – 3:00pm. Guests are encouraged to bring their own Hyalyn pieces to be identified and photographed for informational use, and past employees and interns are invited to share their memories of this popular company. For more information please contact the Hickory History Center at 828-324-7294.

Valentine's Day during the 1940s

2010-02-13T22:31:00.004-05:00

At the Catawba County Museum of History, the archives hold many decades worth of an extensive newspaper collection from the Hickory Daily Record. While recently skimming through some issues from the 1940s, I found a Valentine's Day ad from The Bisanar Company Jewelers in downtown Hickory. It's amazing to think that Bisanar's has been in business in the same building since 1896 in Union Square. 114 years later the company still provides jewelry for your sweetheart, just as it did in this WWII-era advertisement. You could buy an engagement ring for less than $50! Happy Valentine's Day!

Smithsonian blogs about Valentine's Day

2010-02-12T20:18:00.001-05:00

The National Postal Museum blog, part of the Smithsonian, posted a really intriguing article about Valentine's Day during the Victorian Era. Read more--I bet some of it will really surprise you! "Love and Derision; Or, Valentine’s Day Victorian Style"

Happy birthday, Mr. Murray!

2010-02-10T23:14:00.000-05:00

John Lambert Murray was born on February 10, 1877 to William A. Murray and Harriet R. Murray in the Balls Creek community. William worked at the Wike and McNeil mill and eventually bought Wike's half around 1883, making him the first of three generations of Murrays to run the mill.

Around 1898, John bought the mill from his father and ran the business until it closed in 1967. " We made wheat into flour and corn into meal, and we shipped in a lot of wheat besides what we ground for farmers around here," said John Murray when interviewed for his 100th birthday.

In 1901, John married Minnie Cleola Minges. The couple had ten children: six sons and four daughters. All of the boys worked in the mill at one time or another. One son, Loyd, even took over the business when John semi-retired.

His wife died in early 1967, and John lived by himself in his house above the mill until just after he turned 100, when he went to live at Hickory Heath Care Inc. John was not alone in his picturesque setting - at least four of his children lived around the mill, as well as nieces and nephews.

When he died on January 4 , 1982, John was the oldest resident in Catawba County. One son and two daughters preceded him in death, but his surviving family included two sisters, five sons, two daughters, 20 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Snowy and Serene

2010-02-09T15:54:00.000-05:00

I [Jennifer] drove past Old St. Paul's one morning and saw a beautiful image of the lines of tombstones through the snow. I drive by there almost every day, but seeing it in the snow made me pause for a few moments. Think of how many snows the Old St. Paul's church and cemetery have seen. It was a very peaceful and quiet morning; only two cars drove by in the 20mins I was there.

It's Valentine Week!

2010-02-08T18:15:00.000-05:00

The Harper House/Hickory History Center will be hosting a Victorian Valentine party on Sunday, February 14 from 2 until 4 pm. The event is for all ages and will feature light refreshments and the chance to make your very own valentine to take home! Learn about valentine traditions, view the exhibitions in the Lyerly House. The event is free. Tours of the Victorian-style Harper House are available for $5. Hope you see you there!

War stories galore among county vets

2010-02-08T05:30:00.000-05:00

War stories galore among county vets

The CCHA is beginning a project interviewing local men and women involved in WWII.

The filmed interviews will become a complementary piece of the county museum's exhibition of "Spirit, Sacrifice, and Commitment: The Catawba Soldier in WWII."

Catawba County veterans from all branches of service may volunteer by calling 828-465-0383.

Know a good nominee? Call the same number, leaving the individual's name and contact phone number. We look forward to preserving and sharing their stories.

North Carolina Schools May Cut Chunk Out of U.S. History Lessons - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

2010-02-07T00:39:00.001-05:00

North Carolina Schools May Cut Chunk Out of U.S. History Lessons - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

Posted using ShareThis

Fox News reported this earlier this week. It does seem a little bit alarmist after reading a follow up from the Raleigh News & Observer, but North Carolinians should be very aware of how state and national history is taught. What do you all think about the potential changes? Comment below!

Mill in Magazine

2010-02-05T19:15:00.000-05:00

Have you checked out the latest issue of the Conover publication, Sophie Woman's Magazine? A gorgeous photograph of Murray's Mill is in the Shutterbuggerz section, submitted by Terry Berry. Scroll down to Photo #83 to view. You can even vote for your favorite pics in their monthly contest.

The February issue is available now at many stores and restaurants around the area. Great local stories, ads, advice...and it's free!

Snow Day

2010-02-01T09:38:00.000-05:00

The Catawba County Museum of History in the snow that fell this weekend.

We'd like to thank the City of Newton Facebook page for sharing this photo! Stay safe everyone--the Museum will be open again on Wednesday, 2/3, from 9 until 4.

This week in 1929...

2010-01-29T12:04:00.000-05:00

Conducting research in the archives of the Museum, I've been really interested lately in life in Catawba County from the 1920s through the 1940s. Fortunately, the CCHA has years upon years of newspaper records from various publications that we are able to access to help satisfy my curiosity.

Looking at the last week in January of 1929, in addition to the articles about bootleggers being caught and punished, I was most intrigued by the advertisements I came across. Many were for department stores, clothing, Lucky Strike cigarettes, and automobiles.

Scattered throughout the issues were multiple local theaters advertising movies. One particularly dramatic and eye-catching ad featured the Imperial Theatre's showing of "Wings," a love story set in WWI.

This silent film, produced in 1927, won an Oscar for Best Picture and was the only silent movie in history to do so. And with movie prices hovering around $8.75 in Hickory today, you'll be interested to know that you could view "Wings" for between 10 and 30 cents, depending on if you preferred balcony to floor seats.

The Old "Old Courthouse Building"

2010-01-28T15:23:00.000-05:00

When describing the Museum's location, we often refer to our current building as "the old courthouse." However, the Museum of History resides in the courthouse built in 1924. Above is a postcard from our archives of what you could really call the old "old courthouse" in Newton's square. If you look closely, the postcard was sent from Mary to "my dear Sarah," all the way in Texas. It says she is having a wonderful time, despite being a little under the weather.

It was not unusual for a county seat to have postcards featuring their courthouse, as it was often the community's most well-known landmark.

Thinking about floods...

2010-01-26T23:31:00.000-05:00

All this extra rain has had me thinking about floods, particularly 1916 and 1940. I wanted to share some pictures with you...

Oxford Dam after the 1940 flood. Notice that all the flood gates are open all the way. At the bottom of the power station you can just barely see the top of the arch.

Oxford Dam January 25, 2010. One flood gate is open after all the rain from the day before. At the bottom of the power station you can see the arch that is almost completely covered in the 1940 picture.

Site Introductions

2010-01-25T18:42:00.001-05:00

As the first post of our new blog, we'd like to introduce you to our multiple properties:

The Catawba County Museum of History

The Museum is located in downtown Newton and is housed in the old Courthouse, built in 1924. Here, visitors can browse many exhibits about the history and development of the County at their leisure, or request a guided tour (when available). Highlights include several period rooms, exhibitions on local pottery and furniture, a new hands-on gallery designed just for children, and many other permanent displays. Currently, the first floor gallery houses our temporary exhibit about the Catawba Soldier in WWII.

The Harper House/Hickory History Center

The Harper House is a stately Queen Anne Victorian style home dating from the late 19th century, full of history and surprising stories. It is located in downtown Hickory near Frye Hospital. It is available for tours and rentals, making it a beautiful setting for an elegant wedding.

Next to the Harper House is a restored Arts and Crafts style bungalow, built in 1912, which houses a wonderful space for parties and programs. This property contains temporary exhibitions on the first floor and "The Miracle of Hickory" exhibit on the second floor, about the polio hospital quickly constructed near Lake Hickory - a saving grace for the Piedmont.

Murray's Mill

Located in the charming town of Catawba, Murray's Mill highlights the agricultural past of the County. Visitors can enjoy tours of the waterwheel grist mill (we still grind each year during the Harvest Folk Festival!). The acres surrounding the mill are ideal for picnics and the site includes nature trails along Balls Creek. In addition to the mill, you can stop by the general store, built in 1890, for a cold drink and some old-fashioned candy. The annual Harvest Folk Festival in September always draws a large crowd. At that time, the John Murray home and the Huffman House are open to visitors. Murray's Mill is open from March through November.

Bunker Hill Covered Bridge

The Bunker Hill Covered Bridge was constructed in 1895 and is located on Hwy. 70 in Claremont. Designated as a National Civil Engineering Landmark in 2001, the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge is the only remaining example in wood of the Improved Lattice Truss patented by General Herman Haupt. The bridge spans Lyle's Creek on old Island Ford road, a former Native American trail. The bridge site is open daily from dawn until dusk and has picnic tables.