HISTORY MUSEUM OF BURKE COUNTY
PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE FOR
FUTURE GENERATIONS
Established in 2003, the History Museum of Burke County began to gather and display artifacts of our heritage for future generations. This story spans thousands of years from the time Native Americans lived and hunted in this region. In 1567, Spanish soldiers under Captain Juan Pardo constructed Fort San Juan near present day Morganton. In the early 1700s, traders, missionaries and settlers arrived. Burke County was established June 1, 1777. The 19th and 20th centuries witnessed a gold rush and the rise of timber, textile and furniture industries, and an influx of state institutions. Now we await the transformation will come during this generation.
The Museum's collections are comprised of donations and loans of artifacts specific to the history and culture of Burke County from its prehistory when the Catawba and Cherokee Indians lived on the land until the late 1970's, the time of the county's greatest industrial development.
There are over 10,000 square feet of exhibit space. All exhibits are shown in open-room settings, giving visitors a unique personalized perspective of the hundreds of artifacts on display.
201 West Meeting Street
Morganton, NC 28655
Sun-Mon Closed // Tues-Fri 10am-4pm // Sat 10am-2pm
FREE ADMISSION