Last updated: 3/13/2011
Morganton, North Carolina
Address
1001 Burkemont Avenue
Morganton, NC 28655-4511
phone: 828-448-6195
fax: 828-448-6173
e-mail: dsmith@wpcc.edu
web: www.samervinlibrary.org

Hours

Monday - Friday
8 AM - 5 PM
and by Special Appointment

Admissions

Free

Staff

Daniel R. Smith
phone: 828-448-6036
Nancy Daniel
phone: 828-448-3160
Carmen Harriman
phone: 828-448-6039
Description

Housed in the Phifer Learning Resources Center Library at Western Piedmont Community College, the goal of the Senator Sam J. Ervin, Jr. Library and Museum is to provide scholars and students with a wide range of resource information concerning the life of Senator Ervin, the United States Constitution, Constitutional and political history with emphasis on the Watergate era, and U.S. and North Carolina legal and general history. Included as part of the Library/Museum is an exact replica of the Senator'r Morganton home library. In addition, the Dr. Jean Conyers Ervin Mark Twain Collection is also part of the Ervin Library.

History

On October 17, 1990, more than 5000 people, including several former govenors and U.S. senators gathered on the campus of Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton, North Carolina, to dedicate the Senator Sam J. Ervin, Jr., Library and Museum. Recently the Library/Museum has been expanded and further plans for growth are in the works.

Artifact Collections

Professional and family memorabilia, original political cartoons from the Watergate era, awards, and other materials collected by Senator Ervin during his many years of public service.

Research Collections

The Senator Sam J. Ervin, Jr. Research Collection consists of nearly 10,000 books, pieces of correspondence, photos, and public and private documents representing the personal, professional and intellectual life of the Senator. The Dr.Jean C. Ervin Mark Twain collection consists of over 350 books and many collectibles collected over a fifty-year period by the noted Twain scholar and sister of Senator Sam J. Ervin, Jr. The oldest books date from the 1870's. Many first edition Twain works are included. The collectibles are comprised of figurines, plates, comics, etc. depicting famous scenes from Twain's beloved books. Many of the limited edition figurines are based on illustrations by Norman Rockwell, the famous American illustrator. The Twain collection is expected to more than double within the next few years as a result of additional, generous bequests from Dr. Ervin.

Educational Programs

We offer tours to individuals and groups, by arrangement. We are also in the process of putting together an audio-visual presentation on the Senator's life and achievements for visitors to the museum.

Governance

Western Piedmont Foundation, a non-profit organization.

Library
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars
Appointment required: No
ADA
Wheelchair Accessible
Exhibitions
Museum Events
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February 2 - 6, 2025

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Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

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Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

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2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

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2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

Knoxville, Tennessee

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