Western Carolina University - Exhibits & Artifacts

Gallery Exhibits

The Center maintains three major galleries. Gallery A houses the Center's only permanent exhibit while Galleries B and C house traveling or temporary exhibits. Smaller photographic and thematic displays are exhibited along the wormy chestnut-lined lobby areas.

Gallery A
Migration of the Scotch-Irish People

Permanent Exhibit
This exhibit recently went through a "renewal", so please come out to see the newest changes.

Gallery B
Qualla Arts and Crafts Inc.
September 24, 2011 - February 29, 2012

This exhibit highlights this Cherokee craft cooperative which is entering its 65th anniversary.

Gallery C
Margaret Morley Photos
June 2011 - March 25, 2012

A traveling exhibit from the NC Museum of History featuring 50 prints from this New England native who lived in and traveled the southern Appalachians during the early 20th century.

South Lobby
A Craftsman's Legacy: The Furniture of Jesse Bryson Stalcup
Ongoing

This exhibit showcases woodworking tools and hand made furniture, used or made by Jesse Bryson Stalcup (1860-1931) a master carpenter who lived in western North Carolina. Born in Swain County, Jesse grew up as a skilled carpenter. In 1881, Jesse Stalcup married Alice Florence Kelly (1862-1948), daughter of Rufus Pierce and Dorothy Edmonston Kelly. The Stalcups settled in Macon County, where Jesse worked as a carpenter, millwright, and Baptist preacher.

Our State Dog: North Carolina's Plott Hound
November 2011 - May 4, 2012
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North Lobby
Western Carolina University: The Progress of an Idea
Ongoing
Music at WCU
March 2011 - August 2012

This exhibit traces how Robert Lee Madison's "Cullowhee Idea" in 1893 became the seed that sprouted "normal schools" across North Carolina and resulted in WCU and its mission of service to the region. In addition, the exhibit includes a changing section that will highlight various aspects of university life. The first changing section will focus on the rich legacy of formal and informal musical activity at WCU.

WCU emeritus history professors H. Tyler Blethen and Curtis W. Wood, authors of "A Mountain Heritage: The Illustrated History of Western Carolina University," headed the exhibit team. Blethen, Wood and MHC director Scott Philyaw also have colaborated on a Web-based university history, which will become part of WCU's website later this year.
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Lobby Cases
Two of our lobby cases feature a Civil War Mystery! They tell the story of a Union army badge belonging to Captain George S. Orr of the 77th Infantry Regiment of the NY State Volunteers that ended up in a Jackson County flea market in 2010. You can become a "history detective" as we trace the badge's journey from New York to North Carolina.

Two other cases feature the Mountain Heritage Award winners for 2011, Lloyd Arneach and the Stecoah Valley Center.
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Online Exhibits (open in a new window)

More Online Content Including......
Click on DigitalHeritage.org for:
Digital Heritage Moments
WCU's Adventure of the American Mind
WCU student contributions.
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Traveling Exhibits

"Bartram's Journey: The 1775 Journey of William Bartram to Western North Carolina"
- Currently Available -

"Our State Dog: North Carolina's Plott Hound"
     North Carolina Museum of History
     Raleigh NC
     September 9, 2011 - September 30, 2012

"Decoration Day in the Mountains"
- Currently Available -