The Lincoln County Historical Association and Lincoln County Museum of History is the Lincolnton and Lincoln County only professionally-operated museum, and continues to the serve a larger audience of genealogists, businesses, history buffs, and preservationists with an experienced and dedicated staff and committed group of volunteers. The Association and museum has broadened its scope of services with a new website www.LincolnCountyHistory.com, new programs, preservation projects, and publications. The Association plans to restore the former Eureka Manufacturing Company Cotton Mill as the new Lincoln County Museum of History and further expand our capabilities and services.
The Lincoln County Historical Association was organized in 1954 with interested members from the county’s various civic organizations. The Association was officially chartered by the State of North Carolina on March 28, 1955. The organization’s mission included the investigation, compilation, and preservation of historical facts, data, or other information concerning Lincoln County and its citizens. Their objectives were to produce, operate, and participate in the production of pageants, dramas, lectures, writings, or shows for the dissemination of such historical information and historical education of the residents of Lincoln County and surrounding areas. In addition, they made provisions to purchase, lease, own, compile, or develop historical sites and mementos of Lincoln County to education the residents of the county.
In 1991 the former First Baptist Church of Lincolnton was remodeled, due largely to a one million dollar grant from the Timken Foundation. For many years the Lincoln County Historical Association had dreamed of an opportunity to open a museum and house donated and loaned artifacts and objects. As an original member of the Lincoln Cultural Center the Association opened the Lincoln County Museum of History in conjunction with the opening of the Lincoln Cultural Center in 1991. The museum enlisted the services of myriad volunteers during the early years of its operations, and acquired artifacts, objects, display units, and other museum-related materials to professionally represent Lincoln County’s historic character and roots.
The Lincoln County Museum of History maintains local archival and photograph collections that range in date from the early 1770s to the present. These collections include the Richard H. Jansen Collection (paintings), Nixon Family Collection, Judge Sheldon M. Roper Collection, Harlan Boyles Collection, and Clyde "Baby Ray" Cornwell Photograph Collection.
The Association and Museum maintain a large reference collection of rare books and reference books on topics that relate to the history of Lincoln ton, Lincoln County, and North Carolina. The Association houses a reference files assembled by staff and volunteers on subjects such as the Battle of Ramsour's Mill, and the Madison Iron Furnace.
The Lincoln County Museum of History is governed by the Lincoln County Historical Association board of directors.
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members
Appointment required: True