Museum of Ashe County History, Inc. : News and Events

December 3, 2011

* A Special Event was held on Saturday, December 3, 2011. The model railroad display that has been under development at the Museum of Ashe County History (MACH) for more than 3 years, and has reached completion, was dedicated. 

* The grand opening celebration - "The Virginia Creeper Remembered" took place from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  

* Follow the below link to read the December 5th Jefferson Post article publicizing the event. 

* Also, link to our Photo Gallery (left) and see pictures of the event.

• A list of things that took place during the event included: 
• An "unveiling of the Virginia Creeper display." 
• DOT dignitaries invited to be part of the unveiling of the transportation Museum they helped fund as part of the original grant were present. Other dignitaries and elected officials were also at the unveiling. 
• The Museum of the Middle Appalachians displayed their Norfolk and Western Depot photographic exhibit. 
• The Norfolk and Western Museum in Roanoke, and the North Carolina Train Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC participated. 
• Arvill Scott had broadcast equipment to play train related theme music, and he "hosted/MC'd" a line-up of people who gave firsthand stories about the Creeper. 
• People who grew up along the tracks or whose family had a connection to the train participated. Additionally, several stories of people from the new "Virginia Creeper In Ashe County" book were related during the unveiling ceremony. The book was on sale along with some other Creeper related books, and a book signing was available. 
• Volunteer workers who helped create the diorama talked about it's creation.

Link: Click here to read the Jefferson Post article:

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Local Contemporary Artist

* One of the missions of MACH is to exhibit the work of contemporary artisans in our area. If you want to see two examples of a most unique furniture style, come by and see a chest of drawers and a chair created by local craftsman, Cliff Little.  

* Cliff has a kind of love affair with all kinds of beautifully grained wood. He collects the woods and then allows them to give him inspiration to create a piece of furniture.  

* He has used thirty-seven different kinds of wood in this 12-drawer chest. The wood is incorporated into carvings, inlays, laminates, and even a panel of woven wood.  

* This chest has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution and will returning there following a side trip to Colorado.  

* Also on display is the Flame Chair, a very unconventional creation which appears to be in motion while sitting still. In spite of the use of many pointed pieces of wood, it has been found to be quite comfortable for sitting.

^top   Museum PR   Detail   < Previous - Current^ - Next >  Posted: 08/03/11 ID: 1312418417 # 3

August 27, 2011

* As part of the Museum of Ashe County History's commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, MACH hosted this event with members of the 26th and 37th North Carolina Troops, Civil War re-enactors.  

* During the war, Ashe County furnished volunteers to both the 26th and the 37th, comprising Companies A of both regiments.  

* The Ashe County boys fought in some of the heaviest engagements of the war, including Gettysburg, where most members if the 26th died in the disastrous Pickett's Charge.  

* Four Ashe County men were present at the surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox.

• Mouse over the pictures to see full scale images of the Civil War re-enactors that participated in the day's events.

^top   Events   Detail   < Previous - Current^ - Next >  Posted: 08/01/11 ID: 1312220711 # 4

Call to All County Alumni for Input

* A new MACH project underway is to collect and display past copies of yearbooks from all the high schools in Ashe County. This project is being kicked off with a display through September of Beaver Creek High School annuals and memorabilia thanks to Nancy Parker Edwards '57, Harold Cornette '62, and Barbara B ingham Roland.  

* The annuals include most from 1954-1990 and the last one which is 1999. 

* The Museum is encouraging alumni of all Ashe County high schools to contact Linda Payne (846-1904) to arrange for their schools to be featured on a rotating basis.

^top   Museum PR   Detail   < Previous - Current^ - Next >  Posted: 08/03/11 ID: 1312418738 # 6

Toys, Books, Music CDs and MORE!

* Have you ever played with a spinning top or a toy called "Jacob's Ladder?"  

* Have you watched as a "limber jack" danced to a musical beat or shot a marshmallow gun?  

* These are just a few of the toys you will find in the gift shop located in the Museum of Ashe County History.  

* The gift shop has walking sticks, wooden handmade guns, cannons, and bi-planes made by our Ashe County craftspeople.  

* Local authors have brought their works to our shelves. These books cover much county history, both fact and fiction.  

* Talented jewelry makers and seamstresses have items on display also.  

* Music of area musicians is available on CD's and still on a few cassettes. We also have copies of the former Rock Bottom Band music available.

• Click on the below link to be taken to the MACH Gift Shop.

Link: Click here:

^top   Fundraising   Detail   < Previous - Current^ - Next >  Posted: 08/03/11 ID: 1312419540 # 7

36" X 48" Original Painting

Lenore DePree, renown painter of Persian Art has developed an original masterpiece in her distinctive style showcasing the 1904 Courthouse, home of the MACH. The 36" X 48" original - which was donated to the MACH - will be the central piece of a yet-to-be developed fundraising campaign for the MACH. Additionally, there are a limited collection of signed and numbered Giclee (pronounced "G-clay") prints of the painting, and 16" X 20" offset lithographs are also for sale to the general public. As has been the case with many Lenore DePree originals, the prints become collectors pieces, especially in Jefferson and West Jefferson, NC - two towns that are the basis for a lot of her themed creations. Undoubtedly, the painting of the 1904 Courthouse promises to become a part of this legacy.

• Click on the attached scenes to see how the painting of this Ashe County landmark was developed and has become a "piece of history" for our community.

Link: To visit Lenore DePree's Gallery (Originals Only), click here.

^top   Fundraising   Detail   < Previous - Current^ - Next >  Posted: 03/04/11 ID: 1299272039 # 10