https://www.ashehistory.org/events daily 0.75 2026-02-25 https://www.ashehistory.org/events/wataugacommunityband monthly 0.5 2026-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/bda19f59-17d5-4cdc-9e62-0248a2cc0569/468777326_122160928268274299_4394370182694948640_n.jpg Events - The Watauga Community Band The Museum of Ashe County History presents the Watauga Community Band as part of its Courthouse Concert Series! The Watauga Community Band is a year-round band of community members and visitors that have a great time playing concert band music. The band plays a wide variety of tunes ranging from traditional concert band arrangements to pop pieces, marches, show music, and patriotic works! This event will take place on Saturday, June 27th, at 7 p.m. and is FREE and open to the public. The show will take place outside on the museum's Gary Poe Stage located at 301 E. Main Street, in Jefferson, NC. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating. In the case of bad weather, the event will be moved inside the museum's 1904 courtroom. For more information, call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/asheamerica250th monthly 0.5 2026-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/8af650b6-9188-4ca9-a843-3d25e14e83c2/250th+Celebration+%281%29.png Events - Ashe County America 250th Celebration Join us on Saturday, June 6th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as we celebrate the United States Semiquincentennial! 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. To mark the occasion, we will be holding a 250th Celebration on the grounds of the Museum of Ashe County History to celebrate, learn, and reflect on both our nation and our local history. Throughout the day, visitors will have the opportunity to chat with living historians in 18th-century attire, learn about life in Revolutionary-era Appalachia, and hear about various trades and crafts from the time period. There will also be light refreshments, kids' activities, information booths from local organizations, and guests will have a chance to tour the museum's recently restored 19th-century cabin. A special pop-up exhibit about the Battle of Kings Mountain, courtesy of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, will also be available for viewing. At 11 p.m. members of the Daniel Boone Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be reading a portion of the Declaration of Independence. At 1 p.m. historian and author Michael C. Hardy will give a lecture on his newest book, "Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee and the American Revolution." Mr. Hardy is the author of 28 books pertaining to state and local history and was the 2010 North Carolina Historian of the Year. He spends most weekends as a volunteer interpreter at various historic sites. This event is FREE and open to the public and will take place on the grounds of the Museum of Ashe County History located at 301 E. Main Street in Jefferson, NC. For more information, call (336) 846-1904. In the event of rain, the celebration will be moved inside the museum. This project is supported through a grant from America 250 NC, a program of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources https://www.ashehistory.org/events/trishkilbyforeandthewildcats monthly 0.5 2026-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/32e21fe6-98c5-411e-a0ec-a363907bb3c9/68a39cdf7e5be.image+%281%29.jpg Events - Trish Kilby Fore and the Wild Cats The Museum of Ashe County History presents Trish Kilby Fore and the Wild Cats as part of its Courthouse Concert Series! The band takes pride in playing hard-driving, traditional, old-time instrumental music from the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia and northwest North Carolina. In 2025, Trish Kilby Fore and the Wildcats took 1st place in the Old Time Band category at the Galax Fiddlers Convention. This event will take place on Saturday, May 23rd, at 7 p.m. and is FREE and open to the public. The show will take place in the historic 1904 courtroom located at 301 E. Main Street, in Jefferson, NC. For more information, call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/ashecountycemetery monthly 0.5 2025-11-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/55e3cf79-c166-4819-bae3-0903b2478dd6/486075302_9723602057695461_7156059119435125895_n.jpg Events - Ashe County’s Enslaved Cemeteries On Friday, May 15th, the Museum of Ashe County History will be hosting a program with Lonnie Jones, who will be giving a talk on Ashe County's enslaved cemeteries. The Ashe County Cemetery Committee has worked tirelessly to locate, map, clean, and restore the county's lost and neglected cemeteries. Oftentimes while performing this work, the committee has discovered gravesites nearly lost to history. This includes the final resting places of Ashe County's enslaved residents. During this talk, Mr. Jones will talk about the process that the cemetery committee has taken to mark and restore the graves of these often looked over residents, and what is being done to preserve them for future generations. Mr. Jones is a longtime board member of the Museum of Ashe County History, where he currently serves as the museum board's vice president. He is also a founder and active member of the Ashe County Cemetery Committee and an author of multiple books and articles on Ashe County's history. This program will take place in the Museum of Ashe County History's 1904 courtroom and is FREE and open to the public. The Museum of Ashe County History is located at 301 E. Main Street in Jefferson, NC. For more information call (366) 846 1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/musuemspringopenhouse monthly 0.5 2026-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/d393062a-6566-4c44-854a-0f4e7e5327af/Recipe+tasting%2C+old-time+jam%2C+and+kid%27s+activities%21+%281%29.png Events - 2026 Spring Open House On Saturday, May 9th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Museum of Ashe County History invites the public to its annual Spring Open House. Visitors to the museum that day are welcome to participate in an Ashe County recipe tasting, enjoy the museum's display, and take part in various kids' activities such as bounce houses, cornhole boards, bubble stations, and more! From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day, the museum will also host an old-time jam in the historic Ashe County courtroom led by members of the Poison Branch Band. Visitors are welcome to bring their instruments and participate in the jam session or simply sit back and enjoy the music. (Acoustic instruments only, please!) This event is FREE and open to the public and will take place on the grounds of the Museum of Ashe County History, located at 301 E. Main Street in Jefferson, NC. For more information, call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/rockbottommuseumofashe monthly 0.5 2026-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/649127b4-dccf-4e9b-8871-701873150bb0/IMG_0717.jpg Events - The Rock Bottom Bluegrass Band On Saturday, April 25th, at 7 p.m., the Museum of Ashe County History will host the Rock Bottom Bluegrass Band as part of their Courthouse Concert Series. A local favorite, Rock Bottom plays a variety of old standards, progressive bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and original material. This event will take place in the museum's 1904 courtroom and is FREE and open to the public. The Museum of Ashe County History is located at 301 E. Main Street, in Jefferson, NC. For more information, call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/friendsofthe40smuseum monthly 0.5 2025-11-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/28c5febe-8b93-48ab-b0b6-b9ff6bbd1a1d/490756194_1184224373496835_4877141111918943802_n+%281%29.jpg Events - Life on the Homefront: A 1940s Living History Event On Saturday, April 25th, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Museum of Ashe County History will host its 4th annual Life on the Homefront living history event! Come see history brought to life by members of The Friends of the 40s, a living history organization geared towards educating the public about civilian life during World War II. Visitors will have the opportunity to chat with reenactors and view several displays on topics ranging from civilian defense and air raid wardens to volunteer nurse aides, scrap drives, women factory workers, and more! This event will also feature members of A Walk in Their Boots living history organization, who will set up a World War II-era recruitment station and military display. The event will take place on the museum’s grounds located at 301 East Main Street in Jefferson, NC. In the event of rain, the event will be moved inside the museum. This event is FREE and open to the public. For more information about these events, please call the Museum of Ashe County History at (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/henerywhitterandcountrymusic monthly 0.5 2025-11-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/2016757b-4284-411f-ac6d-d2a116c6ac7c/502526955_3613213035481475_603776428609659601_n.jpg Events - Henry Whitter and the Birth of Country Music On Friday, March 20th at 6 p.m., the Museum of Ashe County History will host local historian and author Josh Beckworth, who will be giving a talk about the life of country musician and Ashe County resident Henry Whitter. Whitter was a pioneering figure in early American country (or “old-time”) music. Born in Grayson County, Virginia, he learned guitar and harmonica at a young age and worked in a cotton mill before venturing into recording. In 1923 he traveled to New York to record for Okeh Records, laying down tracks such as “Wreck on the Southern Old ’97” and “Lonesome Road Blues.” These recordings marked some of the first commercial country-style records by a rural performer, helping to open the door for the genre. Later, Whitter teamed up with the blind fiddler G.B. Grayson, and together as the duo “Grayson & Whitter,” they recorded numerous songs between 1927 and 1930 that would become standards in bluegrass and old-time repertoires, including “Tom Dooley,” “Nine Pound Hammer,” and “Little Maggie.” Whitter would later become a longtime resident of Ashe County. Josh Beckworth is the author of "Always Been A Rambler: G.B. Grayson and Henry Whitter, County Music Pioneers of Southern Appalachia," which details the lives of Whitter and Grayson and the impact they had on country music. Beckworth has also received the W. Amos Abrams prize from the North Carolina Folklore Society and is published in the North Carolina Folklore Journal. He has also been featured in the documentary "Short Life of Trouble: The Legend of G.B. Grayson." If you're a fan of country and old-time music, then you won't want to miss this program! This event will take place at the Museum of Ashe County History, located at 301 E. Main Street in Jefferson, NC, and is FREE and open to the public. For more information, call (336) 846 1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/aeveningwithmrjefferson monthly 0.5 2025-10-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/2f5e8db5-a7e0-4733-b1c1-0eb9b01cd75d/theleague2023.jpg Events - An Evening with Mr. Jefferson with Tom Pitz Long an aficionado of Revolutionary Era history, Tom Pitz has been performing as Thomas Jefferson since 1987. He considers it an honor and a privilege to bring one of America’s greatest historical figures back to life for audiences. His performance sites include Michie Tavern, the Denver Museum of Natural Science, the College of William and Mary, Keswick Hall, the United States Treasury, the University of Virginia, the Virginia Genealogical Society, Hampden-Sydney College, Carthage College, and the National Geographic Society. As a graduate of Mr. Jefferson’s University, he is well aware that John Adams’ dying statement, “Jefferson survives,” is as true today as it was on July 4th, 1826. This program will take place on Friday, Feb. 20th, at 6 p.m. During this event Mr. Pitz will appear as President Jefferson and will go into detail (in the first person) about his life. This event will take place in the 1904 courtroom at the Museum of Ashe County History, located at 301 E. Main Street in Jefferson, and is FREE and open to all to attend. This program is part of Ashe County’s 250th Lecture Series. This project was supported through a grant from America 250 NC, a program of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. For more information call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/soundsoftheseasonattheoldcourthouse monthly 0.5 2025-11-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/2c57eff6-496a-4f37-8d20-4ee5b7e97abc/Screenshot+2025-10-29+112959.png Events - Sounds of the Season at the Old Courthouse: With the West Jefferson UMC Choir On Saturday, December 6th, at 6 p.m., the Museum of Ashe County History invites you to join them for a night of holiday cheer as they host the West Jefferson United Methodist Choir for "Sounds of the Season at the Old Courthouse." Visitors are welcome to come hear some classic Christmas carols and seasonal classics performed by the West Jefferson UMC Choir, enjoy some holiday refreshments, participate in the museum's silent auction, and tour the museum's exhibits. The concert will be held upstairs in the museum's historic 1904 courtroom and is FREE for all to attend. The Museum of Ashe County History is located at 301 E. Main Street in Jefferson, NC. For more information about his event, call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/crickdavislecture monthly 0.5 2025-08-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/09b9cfc1-1965-4405-b764-8a2e6854f9b6/81Qciin0OXL._SL1500_.jpg Events - The Tragic Tale of Crick Davis: Ashe County Axe Murderer with Lane H. Dyer In 1903, Ashe County farmer Christopher “Crick” Columbus Davis perpetrated what newspapers of the day called “the most heinous crimes ever committed in the North Carolina mountains.” Using an axe, Davis attacked people sleeping peacefully in his home, including two preachers who had been invited to spend the night. Author Lane H. Dyer has created a novel as steeped in sorrow as the Appalachian Mountains in which it is set. This is a story that examines the long, dark shadow cast by violence, mental illness, and generational trauma with uncommon empathy and narrative grace. Part Southern Gothic, part psychological drama, Dyer's novel is as much about the weight of memory as it is about the fragility of forgiveness. On Friday, Nov. 7th at 6 p.m., Dyer will discuss his new book about Crick Davis and will be signing books afterwards. This event will take place in the 1904 Courtroom located at the Museum of Ashe County History, 301 E. Main Street, Jefferson, NC. This event is FREE and open to all; however, it is recommended for mature audiences. For more information call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/lonesome-ridge-orion-community-photo-swap-and-benefit-concert-nov-1st monthly 0.5 2025-10-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/59d2d5a9-e5af-42b5-a9b1-14eda673e0e4/Screenshot+2025-07-02+132609.png Events - Lonesome Ridge (Orion Community Photo-Swap and Benefit Concert) - Nov. 1st On Saturday, November 1st from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., the historic Orion School and Chapel, in collaboration with the Museum of Ashe County History, will host a photo swap and benefit concert at the historic Orion Schoolhouse and Chapel. Starting at 4 p.m., guests are encouraged to bring their historic Ashe County photos to be scanned and enjoy some light refreshments at the historic Orion Schoolhouse located at 350 Orion Ln in Jefferson. While there, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy the sounds of Tim Lewis and Lonesome Ridge and mingle with friends! The historic Orion chapel will also be open for tours during this time. This event is free and open to the public; however, a recommended donation of $5 or bringing 5 historic photos to be scanned is recommended. All proceeds will benefit the Museum of Ashe County History and their mission to preserve and interpret our local history. Come enjoy an afternoon of music, story swapping, and community at Orion! For more information, contact the Museum of Ashe County History at (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/nightatthemuseum monthly 0.5 2025-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/3925b65a-41b0-45ac-8f3a-fbf531c27211/476446278_1133853048533968_3307357611864001959_n.jpg Events - A Night at the Museum On Saturday, October 25th, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., come see history brought to life during this special evening program at the Museum of Ashe County History. During this special event, visitors will have the opportunity to meet with figures from Ashe County's past, portrayed by museum staff and volunteers. Historical figures will be placed throughout the museum in exhibits relating to their lives. Historical figures portrayed include Joseph Warren Todd, Tam Bowie, Chessie Neal, and more! This tour will also include special displays of artifacts and photographs. This event will take place at the Museum of Ashe County History, located at 301 E. Main Street in Jefferson, NC. This event is FREE and open to the public; however, donations are appreciated. Tours will be first come, first served. For more information, call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/ourburiedhistory monthly 0.5 2025-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/a8b1c191-d146-4713-bab8-c4e5a7115246/Untitled+design+-+2025-09-10T101306.584.png Events - Our Buried History: A Tour of the Jefferson Town Cemetery On Friday, Oct. 24th at 4:30 p.m., join members of the Ashe County Cemetery Committee as they lead a tour through Jefferson's historic town cemetery. Those who attend will have the opportunity to learn about the history of the cemetery, some of its notable interments, cemetery iconography, and some local folklore. The tour will begin at the gates of the Jefferson Cemetery, located at 165 Wm Jb Blevins Drive, in Jefferson. Those attending are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and dress for chilly fall weather. This tour is FREE and open to all to attend; however, donations are appreciated. Any proceeds collected will benefit the Ashe County Cemetery Committee and the Museum of Ashe County History. For more information call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/wayne-henderson-museum-of-ashe-county-history-annual-meeting-october-21st monthly 0.5 2025-07-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/e0b717c5-9744-42b3-9a14-47c6e8350d9b/heritage1995-Henderson.jpg Events - Wayne Henderson (Museum of Ashe County History Annual Meeting) - October 21st On Tuesday, October 21st at 6 p.m., the Museum of Ashe County History will host its Annual Meeting in the historic 1904 Ashe County Courtroom. This event will feature the award ceremony for the 2025 Who’s Who of Ashe County History Award and a performance by High Country favorite and top-notch finger picker Wayne Henderson. This event is FREE and open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to come view the ceremony, enjoy some light refreshments, and hear some grade-A picking from Wayne Henerson. For more information call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/toryoaklecture monthly 0.5 2025-10-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/f9d18ec6-2e2f-411e-95fe-c237a728e941/10-10-2023-11-02-34-am-4755042.jpg Events - The Tory Oak: Colonel Benjamin Cleveland and the American Revolution with Lane H. Dyer The Tory Oak is author Lane H. Dyer's detailed account of the American Revolution in Northwestern, North Carolina. Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, patriot leader, militia commander, and friend of frontiersman Daniel Boone, played an outsized role in the Revolution in North Carolina. From his arrival in the area in 1769 through the end of the Revolutionary War, he had a major part in the formation of Wilkes County (part of which would eventually become Ashe County), the Battle of Kings Mountain, and above all, in defending against the Loyalist forces who tried to stop the rebellion. He was truly "the terror of the Tories." On Friday, Oct. 10th at 6 p.m., Dyer will go into detail about his book "The Tory Oak" and the American Revolution in Northwestern, NC, followed by a Q&A session. This event will take place in the 1904 courtroom at the Museum of Ashe County History, located at 301 E. Main Street in Jefferson, and is FREE and open to all to attend. This program is part of Ashe County’s 250th Lecture Series. This project was supported through a grant from America 250 NC, a program of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. For more information call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/whitetop-mountain-band-september-27th monthly 0.5 2025-07-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/77172151-52e1-47b1-aa5f-fa12a333d969/White+Top+Mountain+Band.jpg Events - Whitetop Mountain Band - September 27th On Saturday, September 27th at 7 p.m., visitors to the Museum of Ashe County history will have the opportunity to see the traditional mountain pickers, the Whitetop Mountain Band. The Whitetop Mountain Band is a family-based band from the highest mountains of Virginia. Whitetop, Virginia, is an area rich in the old-time music tradition; this band has deep roots in mountain music. The members have done much to preserve the Whitetop region's style of old-time fiddling and banjo picking and are legendary musicians and teachers of the style. The band is currently led by Emily Spencer, who was a founding member of the group in the 1970s. This concert will take place in the historic 1904 Ashe County Courtroom. Tickets for this event are $10 and can be purchased in the museum’s gift shop. For more information call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/fireupthestills monthly 0.5 2025-10-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/2b0607eb-4810-42e6-b03f-e455c2bab299/2024-03-21_AsheCoHistory-17.jpg Events - Fire Up the Stills: A Brief History of Moonshining in Appalachia with Dr. Bruce Stewart Fire Up the Stills: A Brief History of Moonshining in Appalachia with Dr. Bruce Stewart On Friday, Sept. 12th at 6 p.m., the Museum of Ashe County History will host a special lecture with Dr. Bruce Stewart titled Fire Up the Stills: A Brief History of Moonshining in Appalachia. This lecture is a historical overview of alcohol manufacturing in Appalachia from the eighteenth century to the late twentieth century. It will highlight the reasons for distilling alcohol during the antebellum period and the rise of moonshining in the region after the passage of the Federal Liquor Tax in 1862. Dr. Stewart will give a detailed overview about the history of moonshining in our region, followed by a Q&A session. Dr. Stewart is the Director of the Graduate Program in History at Appalachian State University. His areas of study are United States History and Appalachian History. Some of Dr. Stewart’s works include Modern Moonshine: The Revival of White Whiskey in the Twenty-First Century, Southern Communities: Identity, Conflict, and Memory in the American South, Blood in the Hills: A History of Violence in Appalachia, Moonshiners and Prohibitionists: The Battle over Alcohol in Southern Appalachia, and King of the Moonshiners: Lewis R. Redmond in Fact and Fiction. This event will take place in the 1904 courtroom at the Museum of Ashe County History, located at 301 E. Main Street in Jefferson, and is FREE and open to all to attend. This program is part of Ashe County’s 250th Lecture Series. This project was supported through a grant from America 250 NC, a program of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. For more information call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/911ceremonyasherotary monthly 0.5 2025-07-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/1e155c12-6d29-47b9-bf24-47dc2ddac48e/Add+a+heading+-+2025-07-29T133920.358.png Events - Ashe County Rotary Club 9/11 Memorial Ceremony On Thursday, Sept. 11th, the Ashe County Rotary Club will hold their annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony on the grounds of the Museum of Ashe County History. The event will begin at 10 a.m. and is free and open to the public. Please join us for a morning of prayer and reflection as we pause to remember those we lost on September 11th, 2001. The Museum of Ashe County History is located at 301 E. Main Street in Jefferson, NC. For more information call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/pistonsforapurpose4thannual monthly 0.5 2025-07-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/9b04090f-121f-423b-a199-7a8a201a9eae/517395252_10230438579816787_6160698342264683700_n.jpg Events - 4th Annual Pistons for a Purpose Car Show On Saturday, September 6th, the 4th Annual Pistons for a Purpose Car Show will take place along Main Street in downtown Jefferson, NC. This event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature vendors, live music, and food. Proceeds from the car show will benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children. The Museum of Ashe County History will open during its regular hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Note: For those planning to visit the museum on this day, Jefferson's Main Street will be closed to traffic. However, Court Street will be open. For more information call (366) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/the-wagoner-family-and-calvary-reflections-august-23rd monthly 0.5 2025-07-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/417ad0d9-a2d4-4892-8f18-552c96468923/Borcelle+Church+%281%29.png Events - The Wagoner Family and Calvary Reflections - August 23rd On Saturday, August 23rd, visitors to the Museum of Ashe County History will be treated to a traditional gospel concert performed by local favorites the Wagoner Family and Calvary Reflections. This special concert will take place in the historic 1904 Ashe County Courtroom and is FREE and open to the public. Donations, however, are appreciated. For more information call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/brutalfestival-cdzxt monthly 0.5 2025-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/d3681508-dfa6-440c-a3ac-bd51682f2d60/520573243_1146284180861284_3224834043424350801_n.jpg Events - Blue Ridge Brutal Festival The Blue Ridge Brutal is a challenging cycling event happening on August 16, 2025, in Jefferson, NC. Riders can choose from 25, 50, 70, or 100-mile routes through the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, with an optional steep climb up Mount Jefferson. This year, organizers will be hosting Brutal Fest, a free community festival featuring food, music, and kids’ activities. Proceeds benefit local student scholarships through the Ashe Advantage Project. The event will take place along Main Street in Jefferson, NC, on Aug. 16th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. On this day the Museum of Ashe County History will be open during its regular hours, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/doris-stam-lecture-and-book-signing-august-8th monthly 0.5 2025-07-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/a7a3b148-bcc6-4907-a827-21cbd9fd19ce/978-1-4766-9663-8+%281%29.jpg Events - Doris Stam Lecture and Book Signing - August 8th Join author Doris Stam at the Museum of Ashe County History on Friday, August 8th, at 6 p.m. for a lecture on D.D. Dougherty, Lillie Dougherty and the Early Years of Appalachian State. Doris will share the inspiring story of D.D. and Lillie Dougherty, whose work helped shape the university and the local community. After the lecture, Doris will be available for a book signing. Whether you're a local historian, alumni, or just interested in the area's history, this event offers a fascinating look at a pivotal chapter in Appalachian State’s past. Event Details: Date: Friday, August 8th Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Museum of Ashe County History https://www.ashehistory.org/events/taylon-hope-july-26th monthly 0.5 2025-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/dfbd0e9c-4aa9-4942-8b9f-02815ea3c36c/c-TaylonHope__IMG3541_1699498830199.jpeg Events - Taylon Hope - July 26th On Saturday, July 26th at 7 p.m., the Museum of Ashe County History will host singer-songwriter Taylon Hope. Originally from West Jefferson, NC, Hope now makes her home in Music City, Nashville, TN. She began singing at the young age of four years old, and music has been her passion ever since. Her musical influences include Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Carrie Underwood, and Martina McBride, among others. Hope has a love for both traditional and modern country and has a great appreciation for all genres of music. Come see Taylon Hope perform in the historic 1904 Ashe County Courthouse. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the museum’s gift shop. For more information call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/rose-m-haynes-book-signing-july-11th monthly 0.5 2025-07-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/19fe7c5a-b43a-4144-b21d-e4070e1b5b53/61i7KWrzbXL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Events - Rose M. Haynes Book Signing - July 11th Join us for a special evening with local author Rose M. Haynes, as she presents and signs copies of her compelling true-crime book, The Ore Knob Mine Murders: The Crimes, the Investigation, and the Trials. The event will be held on Friday, July 11th at 6:00 p.m., and we’re excited to welcome community members, history buffs, and true-crime enthusiasts alike. This engaging event is free of charge and open to the public, offering a unique opportunity to meet the author, hear about her research into one of Ashe County’s most infamous crimes, and ask questions about the writing process and historical details behind the story. Don’t miss this chance to connect with local history and literature! https://www.ashehistory.org/events/saturday-june-28th-fiddler-tim-smith monthly 0.5 2025-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/e3901be8-5a03-45dd-9006-ebbe7a98669b/hq720.jpg Events - Fiddler Tim Smith - June 28th On Saturday, June 28th, at 7 p.m., visitors can come enjoy a concert by World Champion Fiddler, Tim Smith! Smith is a former Bluegrass Cardinal who also spent time playing with Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt, Jim and Jesse, The Country Gentleman, and numerous other groups. Smith is also the recipient of many awards, including first place at the 1976 North Carolina State Championship, first place at the 1977 Galax Fiddlers Convention, and the World Championship fiddle prize at the 1978 Union Grove Fiddlers. Smith has also played at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry. This show will take place upstairs in the historic 1904 Ashe County Courtroom. Tickets for this event are $15 and can be purchased in the museum’s gift shop. For more information call (336) 846-1904. https://www.ashehistory.org/events/category/success+story monthly 0.5 https://www.ashehistory.org/events/category/press monthly 0.5 https://www.ashehistory.org/events/category/tips monthly 0.5 https://www.ashehistory.org/historic-highlights daily 0.75 2025-07-22 https://www.ashehistory.org/historic-highlights/ashecourthouseandcountrymusic monthly 0.5 2025-07-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/9dc58f8a-52b7-43fd-be04-66a2772ad7cd/Monroe+1936+%282%29.jpg Historic Highlights - A History of the Ashe County Courthouse and Country Music by Josh Beckworth - Make it stand out This 1936 advertisement from West Jefferson's Skyland Post newspaper encourages locals to come hear a performance by The Monroe Brothers (Charlie and Bill) and Byron Parker at the Ashe County Courthouse in Jefferson. They are just one of many musical acts to perform at the courthouse over the years. https://www.ashehistory.org/historic-highlights/ahistoryofblackresidentsinjefferson monthly 0.5 2025-07-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/960d8535-b459-418c-9086-d22d28ae9a65/127270598_a862f9fb-5344-416f-a630-a91a02fe2f93.jpeg Historic Highlights - A Look at Jefferson’s Black Residents by Josh Beckworth and the Appalachian Studies Students of Ashe County High School - Make it stand out Seen here is an image of Adam Roberts. Roberts was a Black Union Army veteran who had been raised in Jefferson by his adopted mother, Mary Milam. After the Civil War, Roberts returned to Jefferson and became one of the town’s most successful entrepreneurs. He operated a blacksmith shop at the corner of Long and Academy streets, as well as a water-powered grist mill along Naked Creek. His home, which he shared with his wife Winnie, still stands in Jefferson today. https://www.ashehistory.org/historic-highlights/the-house-of-isham-thompson-by-lonnie-jonesnbsp monthly 0.5 2025-07-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/eac9c89c-72ee-4481-8915-c04a46a4ccb5/Isam+Bowers+House.jfif Historic Highlights - The House of Isham Thompson by Lonnie Jones  - Make it stand out Seen here is the home of Isham Thompson, Ashe County's last Civil War veteran. https://www.ashehistory.org/historic-highlights/the-silas-creek-school-by-lonnie-jones monthly 0.5 2025-07-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/4e8c3007-fa56-4117-8f6e-099e335ba5b1/Silas+Creek+School+1+%281%29.jpg Historic Highlights - The Silas Creek School by Lonnie Jones - Make it stand out Shown here is Silas Creek School; during the 1930s, it held classes from 1st to 6th grade but only had one teacher. https://www.ashehistory.org/historic-highlights/talking-cemeteries-with-the-ashe-county-cemetery-committee-by-lonnie-jones monthly 0.5 2025-07-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6859502f4e65f63ac8adda28/065f9178-633b-43b4-86b7-014df870bd54/Members+of+the+Ashe+County+Cemetery+Committee.jpg Historic Highlights - Talking Cemeteries with the Ashe County Cemetery Committee by Lonnie Jones - Members of the Ashe County Cemetery Committee pause for a photo after a day of cleaning out overgrown cemeteries. 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