Mountain Heritage Center opens new 鈥淧eople of Colonial North Carolina鈥� exhibit
The Mountain Heritage Center at 蘑菇短视频 (WCU) is proud to announce the opening of its newest exhibit, 鈥淧eople of Colonial North Carolina,鈥� which opened on Sept. 8.
The People of Colonial North Carolina exhibit highlights the complex and often conflicting paths different people and communities took in the fight for freedom and survival. Through maps, rare documents, artifacts, and illustrations, the exhibit offers a look at how the American Revolution impacted everyday lives. Part of the exhibit is on loan from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources but sections developed by the Center feature the story of the Cherokee - American War of 1776 as well as the journey of William Bartram.
The Cherokee-American War of 1776 was a particularly devastating portion of a larger conflict between the Cherokee and colonial forces from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. While the Cherokee sought self-preservation in the mountains, the colonies took the Revolutionary War as an opportunity to eliminate what they saw as a threat and to clear the way for future settlement. William Bartram visited Southern Appalachia including present-day Macon County in 1775. In contrast, as a naturalist and explorer, Bartram鈥檚 perspectives on the region鈥檚 land and people stands apart from the events that took place a year later.
The Center is also pleased to announce an opening reception on Monday, Sept. 21 from 2:30 鈥� 5:00 p.m. as part of Mountain Heritage Days. The afternoon will start with presentations in the Hunter Library Flex Space by Nora Doyle, Tamia Haygood, and Brett Riggs. Each will speak from their perspectives about life for settlers, in particular women, African Americans and the Cherokee community in Colonial North Carolina. The event will then move to the exhibit gallery for a reception and remarks on how the display was developed and constructed.
The exhibit and reception are co-sponsored by the American Association of University Women, and the 蘑菇短视频250th Committee. Admission for both is free.
The Mountain Heritage Center is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment. The exhibit will be on display at the Mountain Heritage Center in the Hunter Library Building through December 18, 2026.
For more information, visit mhc.wcu.edu or call (828) 227-7129.