Many fine and distinctive museums in the Blue Ridge mountains and foothills of North Carolina provide a wealth of insight and inspiration for visitors seeking a deeper cultural understanding of the region.

Cultures of the Mountains

The cultures that comprise the patchwork quilt of mountain heritage are illuminated in the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, the Scottish Tartans Museum, the Mountain Heritage Center, and the Waldensian Museum.

Pioneer Museums

The isolation, perseverance, and ingenuity of pioneer farms are showcased at the Hickory Ridge Homestead, Mountain Gateway Museum, and Mountain Farm Museum.

Minerals in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina

The Museum of North Carolina Minerals tells the story of an important natural resource and is a major interpretive site for a Revolutionary War trail.

Photo:  Wilkes Heritage Museum in restored Wilkes County Court House, Wilkesboro, NC.

Friends of Mountain History

Friends of Mountain History in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources has compiled the Western North Carolina Museum guide which can be downloaded from their website.

Or visit the websites of these museums to discover the wealth of history and heritage available to you in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.

• Asheville Art Museum (Asheville, NC) 
• Avery County Historical Museum (Newland, NC)
• Big Ivy Historical Society and Park (Barnardsville, NC) 
• Canton Area Historical Museum (Canton, NC)
• Carson House (Old Fort, NC) 
• Clay County Historical & Arts Museum (Hayesville, NC) 
• Crossnore Weavers and Gallery (Crossnore, NC) 
• Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum (Franklin, NC) 
• Hickory Ridge Homestead (Boone, NC)
• Highlands Historical Society (Highlands, NC) 
• Mountain Farm Museum (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) 
• Mountain Gateway Museum (Old Fort, NC) 
• Mountain Heritage Center (Cullowee, NC) 
• Mount Airy Museum of Regional History (Mount Airy, NC) 
• Museum of Ashe County History (Jefferson, NC) 
• Museum of the Cherokee Indian (Cherokee, NC) 
• Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts (Waynesville, NC) 
• Museum of North Carolina Minerals (Spruce Pine, NC) 
• Scottish Tartans Museum (Franklin, NC) 
• Smith-McDowell House (Asheville, NC) 
• Southern Appalachian Radio Museum (Asheville, NC)
• Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center (Robbinsville, NC)
• Swannanoa Valley Museum (Black Mountain, NC
• Thomas Wolfe Memorial (Asheville, NC)
• Transylvania Heritage Museum (Brevard, NC)
• Vance Birthplace (Weaverville, NC)
• Waldensian Museum (Valdese, NC)
• Wilkes Heritage Museum (Wilkesboro, NC) 
• World Methodist Museum (Lake Junaluska, NC) 
• Zachary-Tolbert House (Cashiers, NC)