Many distinctive local museums provide a wealth of insight and inspiration for visitors seeking a deeper cultural understanding of the region.
The cultures that comprise the patchwork quilt of mountain heritage are illuminated in the Museum of the Cherokee People, the Scottish Tartans Museum, the Mountain Heritage Center, and the Waldensian Museum.
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
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.
Museums In Partnership
Museums in Partnership is a network of museums in Western North Carolina that work together to combine resources, share educational resources, and collaborate. To learn more, click here.
Or visit the websites of the museums listed below to discover the wealth of history and heritage available to you in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.
- Allison-Deaver House (Brevard)
- Asheville Art Museum (Asheville)
- Avery County Historical Museum (Newland)
- Bennett Classics Antique Auto Museum (Forest City)
- Big Ivy Historical Society and Park (Barnardsville)
- Black Mountain College Museum + Art Center (Asheville)
- Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (Blowing Rock)
- The History Museum of Burke County (Morganton)
- Caldwell Heritage Museum (Lenior)
- Canton Area Historical Museum (Canton)
- Carson House (Old Fort)
- Clay County Historical & Arts Museum (Hayesville)
- Crossnore Weavers and Gallery (Crossnore)
- Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians (Bryson City)
- Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum (Franklin)
- Hickory Ridge Living History Museum (Boone)
- Highlands Historical Society (Highlands)
- House of Flags Museum (Columbus)
- McGaha Chapel (Cedar Mountain)
- Mountain Farm Museum (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)
- Mountain Gateway Museum (Old Fort)
- Mountain Heritage Center (Cullowee)
- Mount Airy Museum of Regional History (Mount Airy)
- Museum of Ashe County History (Jefferson)
- Museum of the Cherokee People (Cherokee)
- Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts (Waynesville)
- Museum of North Carolina Minerals (Spruce Pine)
- Old Time Music Heritage Hall (Mt. Airy)
- Polk County History Museum (Columbus)
- Scottish Tartans Museum (Franklin)
- The History Center at the Smith McDowell House (Asheville)
- Southern Appalachian Radio Museum (Asheville)
- Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center (Robbinsville)
- Swannanoa Valley Museum (Black Mountain)
- Thomas Wolfe Memorial (Asheville)
- Transylvania Heritage Museum (Brevard)
- Vance Birthplace (Weaverville)
- Waldensian Museum (Valdese)
- Wheels Through Time Museum (Maggie Valley)
- Wilkes Heritage Museum (Wilkesboro)
- World Methodist Museum (Lake Junaluska)
- Yancey History Association and Rush Wray Museum (Burnsville)
- Zachary-Tolbert House (Cashiers)
