Museum of North Carolina Minerals

The mountains near Spruce Pine, North Carolina, are among the richest in minerals and gems in the United States, and more than 300 varieties are showcased in the Museum of North Carolina Minerals, located on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Because of the Parkway's popularity, this museum may introduce more people to minerals and gems that any other such facility in the country.
Recently renovated, the Museum features interactive displays about the minerals and gems found in the region as well as the historical importance of the mining industry that is the backbone of the local economy.

The Museum is located at Gillespie Gap, an important stop for Revolutionary War fighters on their way to the Battle of Kings Mountain. Each September the Museum hosts an encampment of reenactors who assume the role of the Overmountain Men, primarily Scots-Irish settlers from Eastern Tennessee and far Western North Carolina who came "over the mountains" and ultimately defeated the left wing of Cornwallis' army at Kings Mountain, South Carolina. Many historians mark this victory as the turning point in the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War.

The Museum also hosts a visitor center for the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce, with information on local businesses, attractions, lodging, food and more. A gift shop featuring souvenirs and books on Western North Carolina is located in the museum.

Hours of Operation
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 7 days a week.

Admission Fees
None
*Prices are subject to change without notice & from what is listed on this website.

Location
Located at milepost 331 on the Blue Ridge Parkway at
Gillespie Gap, at the junction of the Parkway and North Carolina Highway 226.

Blue Ridge Pkwy
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
828-765-9483