Rutherford Weekly

Nestled in the Grahamtown Community is a museum that serves to preserve the heritage of the community and the county. The African American Heritage Museum of Rutherford County began in 2012, and received its non-profit status last fall. The museum is located in the Old Dunbar Community Center on Hardin Road, and is open by appointment. There are three permanent exhibits on display, but in the museum's collection exists more artifacts that museum organizers hope to eventually have the space to display. "Really how we got started was with Dr. Lee Greene, who found photos of schools his grandfather built," said Teresa Proctor, one of the museum's volunteers. "This became his pet project - he began interviewing people to learn more. Our school days room opened in May 2012." The school days exhibit features information on African American community schools that existed throughout the county and into upper South Carolina and Polk County. "The first African American college, the Western Union Academy and College, was located where Stonecutter was," Proctor said, pointing to a photo. "It burned in the early 1900s." Another exhibit, Home Lives, focuses on the clothes, home items and more that would've been used from the 1880s through the 1940s. "Some of the items we had to look for, but many have been donated," Proctor explained. "We never ever tell anyone no." Proctor, who is a Rutherford County native, met Greene and became fast friends through their mutual love of history. "I got into history in junior high," she said. "I never stop doing research." The Family Matters exhibit in the museum is close to Proctor's heart - many of the families are those that she is descended from. But, she added, she can't pick one favorite exhibit in the museum. "I love all of it - these are my people," she said. She speaks of those who are represented in the museum as though they are close family and friends - and after years spent with the artifacts, she is invested in them. "If there is a piece of history out there, I will find it," she said. Now that the museum has gotten its non-profit status, donations are tax deductible. The museum welcomes historical items for its collection. "We are looking for a larger facility that would afford us the opportunity to expand the collection," she said. To make an appointment, call 828-245-2478. Donations may be made to the African American Heritage Museum, PO Box 364, Forest City, NC 28043. OUR 25 th YEAR • ISSUE NO. 9 • MARCH 2, 2017 RutherfordWeekly.com 828-248-1408 FREE FREE Mon-Sat 11am-6pm 719 S. Broadway, Forest City Right off Exit 182 from US74 828-229-3123 ©Community First Media Community First Media Made in America glass Local artwork, glass & more Vaping Supplies Vaping Supplies Skateboards Skateboards ©Community First Media We Finance! Auto Sales Auto Sales M i k e s M i k e s M i k e s M i k e s INC. INC. M i k e s M i k e s Auto Sales Auto Sales Auto Sales Auto Sales Monday-Friday 9am-5pm • 828-245-2238 Robbie Pruett 828-429-5858 Frankie Mullinax 828-429-5202 417 South Broadway • Forest City • NC $ 4,795 4,795 6 cyl., auto., leather, sunroof. 2006 Kia 2006 Kia Optima LX Optima LX Cash Discounts Any Price! $ 3,000 3,000 down down 4 cyl., auto., PW & L, nice, great miles. 2009 Chevrolet 2009 Chevrolet Malibu LS Malibu LS $ 1,500 1,500 down down 4 cyl., auto., air, 4 door, good car. 2005 Ford 2005 Ford Focus ZX4 Focus ZX4 $ 1,800 1,800 down down V6, auto., PW & L, 4 dr., great car. 2005 Buick 2005 Buick Lacrosse Lacrosse $ 11,995 11,995 V8, auto., air, PW & L, 4 door. 2008 Chevrolet 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 Silverado 4x4 No payments over $ 75 per week Heritage museum preserves the history of African Americans in Rutherford County Article By: Allison Flynn, Rutherford Weekly Article By: Allison Flynn, Rutherford Weekly WE DELIVER RESULTS FOR OUR CUSTOMERS WE DELIVER RESULTS FOR OUR CUSTOMERS Community reserve d the ge y "Some but man explai no." C b Dr. J. Lee Greene founded the African American Heritage Museum in 2012 after doing research on his own family. A collection of clothing and home items from 1880 forward are in one of the museum's permanent exhibits, Home Lives. Clothing and other items that might have been used for a wedding are on display alongside information on Elizabeth Suttles and Alfred Hooper, who were indicted for adultery in 1842 because it was illegal for them to be married. Teresa Proctor, who is a museum volunteer, is descended from Hooper. Teresa Proctor points to one of her family members in the African American Heritage Museum's exhibit Family Matters.

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