At Gaston County Museum, there's always something old and a lot that's new!  You can also plan your next special event or wedding at our historic building — call Jeff Pruett for details (704.922.7681 Ext. 105). Click for our rental brochure for the museum.

The second annual 8th Grade North Carolina History Bowl was held at the Gaston County Museum of Art & History on April 24. Three local schools competed – Holbrook Middle School, Mount Holly Middle School, and John Chavis Middle School. The competition was double-elimination and Holbrook Middle School finished in first place (shown in the picture below). The students are (from left to right) Addison Collins, Abigail Hardee, Freddie Wells, Emily Elmore, and Madison Alman. Congratulations goes out to all those that participated.

The Gaston College Visual Art Club Juried Art Show "Out of the Blue" is the current art exhibit until August 29, 2009 at the Gaston County Museum. This year’s GCVAC hosts a juried contemporary art show that includes paintings and photographs. In addition, the exhibit also contains pottery, quilts, clothing, and jewelry from the Gaston County Museum’s permanent collection as well as loaned items. This will mark the third year that the Gaston County Museum and the GCVAC have collaborated on this show. Their goal is to create exhibitions that feature local artists and students within a larger contemporary context. The dialogue between local and regional artists created by the show is critical to the success of our local arts community, as well as positioning Gaston County as an important regional artists’ community.

New exhibit on the North Carolina Orthopedic Hospital
The Gaston County Museum of Art & History is excited to announce the opening of a new exhibit focusing on the North Carolina Orthopedic Hospital. The North Carolina Orthopedic Hospital opened its doors on June 29, 1921, offering the children of North Carolina free surgical and medical care that their families would normally be unable to pay for. In addition to the exhibit, a reunion will be held at the Museum October 23rd & 24th for doctors, nurses and patients to come together, share memories and reunite with one another. Please RSVP by October 9th to the Museum by calling (704) 922-7681 ext 100.

Carolinas Textile Exhibit   Discover how cotton textile manufacturing transformed the Carolinas. Sights and sounds of the past combine with original objects, such as the world's longest running, original Edison generator (1884), the Loray Mill whistle, a ball gown and baseball uniform, to bring the history of the Carolinas to life.

Daniel Stowe Carriage House  Imagine life before automobiles. See sleighs, drays and buggies -- the largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles exhibited in North Carolina!


1852 Hoffman Hotel  Notice the details - handmade brick, heart of pine floors, old glass set in 9-over-9s windows, and the simple Greek revival architectural style of our main building, constructed in 1852. Visit hotel rooms and parlors to see authentic period furnishings. 

The Museum's Collections
The museum, accredited by the American Association of Museums, holds in trust for current and future generations over 5,000 objects,  20,000 documents, over 400,000 photos which span the period from the 1500s through the 20th Century.  As a federally designated 501c3 organization, the museum gratefully accepts donations to support its exhibits, programs, research, preservation and public interpretation.

Hours/Address/InfoLine
Gaston County Museum of Art & History is open Tuesday thru Friday from 10am - 5pm, Saturday from 12 - 3 pm and every 1st Sunday from 2 - 5 pm. The museum is wheelchair and stroller accessible and admission is free. Gaston County Museum is located at 131 West Main Street in Dallas, NC. For more information about exhibits, programs and events, call the 24-hour info-line at (704)922-7681, #2.

Check out our calendar of events.

Special Event Planner — click to find out about using our attractive facilities, completed with a full kitchen, for your next business dinner, party, reception or other special event.

Tour Planner —
Click to find out how we can help you and your out-of-town group arrange visits: from discounted hotel rooms to attractions to special tours to restaurant reservations.

Map/Directions

UPCOMING EVENTS
Click on our Summer 2009 Brochure of activities!

July 1 (Wednesday) — Coffee with the Curator — 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM - Free What are those things from your attic? Please join for our regular program, Coffee with the Curator, from 10:30 AM till 11:30 AM. During this program, Curator Stephanie Haiar will identify objects and provide preservation assistance on pieces brought to the museum by visitors. If objects are too large please bring photographs. During this program, object donations to the museum will also be considered. There is no appointment needed for this program and it is free and open to the public. Please note - there is a three item limit per person and there will be no monetary appraisals at this program.

July 2 (Thursday) — Drop - In Day Camp - 10:30 AM - 12 PM
Program: Flags & Fireworks
Other sessions, July 9 (Tracks & Trails), July 16 (From Slavery to Freedom) —
Each day campers will experience a different aspect of life in the 19th century. This program is free and open to children ages 5-years-old to 12-years-old. Parents are asked to have their children to the museum 10 to 15 minutes early for orientation. Parents are encouraged to visit the museum during the program or even join in with the campers. Snacks will be provided for campers as well.

July 5 (Sunday) — 1st Sunday Program — Book Talk/Signing — Tom Shytle — Carolina Roots: From Whence I Came — 3 - 4 PM — Free Event
Join us on Sunday, July 5 from 3-4 PM as Tom Shytle discusses and signs copies of his new book Carolina Roots: From Whence I Came. Shytle will talk about: his motivations in writing the book, growing up on the Park Yarn mill village near Kings Mountain, and briefly discuss his service in the United States Air Force. After the program, Shytle will sell copies of his book for $15 and sign them.

July 10 (Friday) — 11th Annual Blues out Back Concert Series —Big Ron Hunter — 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the lawn behind the museum. Free.
Fun for the entire family!

July 14 (Tuesday) — Mini-Art Camp— 10 AM - 3 PM — Ages 7 - 10 — $25 per child. Is your child bored at home and looking for a fun one day camp? If so, join the Gaston County Museum for their Mini-Art Camp from 10 AM - 3 PM. Lunch is included. Kids will learn about various art mediums, make clay art/sculpting, complete a multi-media painting, and explore our current exhibit Gaston College Visual Art Club's Juried Art Show. This program will be very interactive and hands-on. RSVP required by July 7.

Some Informational Links
Charlotte Regional History
   Consortium
Gaston-Lincoln Regional Library 
NC Business History  
NC Dept. of Cultural Resources
NC ECHO 
NC Museums Council 
NC Office of Archives & History