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Mountain Heritage Center exhibitions explore the history, culture, and environment of Southern Appalachia through engaging stories and artifacts. They feature both long-term and rotating displays on topics like traditional crafts, regional industries, and community life.

Mountain Heritage Center galleries are at located at Hunter Library 161 (beside Java City) and Hunter Library Second Floor at 176 Central Drive, Cullowhee, NC. If you need assistance or more information about hours and parking check out the About Us page.

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Clearing the Hurdles:

Women and Sport at Ģ������Ƶ1889 to the Present

September 2 through December 13, 2025

Imagine a time when people believed that exercise could harm a woman’s health or make her less feminine. These outdated ideas were once common and created major
obstacles for women who wanted to play sports. Some doctors even claimed that physical activity could prevent women from having children, while others feared that
sports would make women too masculine.

This was the world in which Ģ������Ƶ began and where women’s athletics slowly took root. Despite these hurdles, women at Ģ������Ƶpushed forward. They trained, competed, and proved that strength and femininity could go hand in hand. Over time, students, coaches, and leaders changed the culture
and expanded opportunities.

Clearing the Hurdles tells the story of that journey. This exhibit explores the people,
events, and laws that helped shape women’s college sports into what they are today.
Researched, curated, designed, and installed by Ģ������Ƶstudents, this exhibition is a
collaboration between the WCU’s Mountain Heritage Center and History Department
and the Chancellor’s University History Initiative.

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Discovering Appalachia

Long-term display in MHC second floor gallery at Hunter Library

Western North Carolina and Southern Appalachia are cultural crossroads shaped by people from many backgrounds. Discover the lives of the region’s talented, hardworking individuals and discover the traditions they share with others.

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Other MHC Exhibits:

• : A variety of student-curated exhibits on music, healthcare, railroads, and tourism that highlight historic and contemporary issues.
• WCU's Health & Human Services Building: Ꭰ Ꮉ Ꭼ Ꮒ Ꮣ (Water is Life) & Early Healthcare in Western NC
• MHC traveling exhibits look at North Carolina's State Dog, Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual Inc., Decoration Day traditions, and more.