Collecting In Crisis
The Covid-19 pandemic and the civil rights crisis here in America have taken the world by storm. As our lives shift, the Gaston County Museum of Art and History would like to document these moments in history, and we are asking the people of Gaston County to help us by sharing their experiences.
PEOPLE OF GASTON
The Gaston County Museum invites you to take part in our newest social media project, "People of Gaston." Every other week, the museum will post an image to the Facebook page, of an unidentified individual(s) from the collection, in hopes to gather as much information about that individual(s) as possible. We are looking for names, dates, places, and relationships.
By taking part in the “People of Gaston” project, you will be helping the Museum bridge the gap in information of the history of our county for future researchers and historians. If you have any information on the images posted, please reach out to our Registrar, Markecia Koulesser, by email at markecia.koulesser@gastongov.com or by phone at 704-922-7681 ext. 107.
Let's do history together.
COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS
Click! Listen! Watch! Check out the videos below for unique collection highlights by Gaston County Museum staff.
COLLECTIONS
Dr. Will's Surgical Binoculars
Surgical binocular loupes used by Dr. Thomas A. Will in Dallas, NC between 1950’s-1980’s.
WWII U.S. Navy Jacket
This WWII US Navy Sailor’s jacket was worn by a resident of Gastonia, NC during his tour of duty aboard the USS New York Battleship, in 1942-1945.
Tony's Ice Cream Wagon
Circa 1920- Tony's Ice Cream Wagon would have been pulled by a horse through various Gastonia neighborhoods to serve ice cream.
Dr. Erwin's Bag
Early 1900s- This bag belonged to Dr. Herbert Erwin (1879-1949), Gaston County’s first African- American doctor.
Ralph Ray, Jr.
“Woman with Child and Laundry” by Ralph Ray Jr. Oil, 1943.
Kastner Bible
This German Bible was brought to America in 1745 by Adam Kastner. Printed in 1564, this bible was passed down through the Rhyne Family until it was donated to the
Historic Hoffman Hotel
This photograph of Main Street in 1907 features the Hoffman Hotel and a dirt road.
Woodlawn Mill Script
Script was a system of payment that mills often used to pay their employees.
The Firestone Story
The Firestone Story looks at the first 50 years of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company,
Additional Resources:
Explore more Gaston County history, and digitized Gaston County Museum collections by searching DigitalNC.
Ask a Registrar:
Have specific questions about Gaston County Museum collections? Contact Markecia Koulesser, Registrar, at
Markecia.koulesser@gastongov.com
