In observance of #IndependenceDay , the Museum will be closed on Thursday, July 4th. 🇺🇸 We'll be back to our regular hours on Friday, July 5th.
We're open today until 4:30 PM, so stop in and enjoy the AC while you learn about @townofmatthews history.
On June 19, 1865, nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, bringing news of freedom. More than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as #Juneteenth or #FreedomDay . With the principles of self-determination, citizenship, and democracy magnifying their hopes and dreams, those Texans held fast to the promise of true liberty for all.
North Carolina became the 26th state to recognize Juneteenth as a #stateholiday in 2007. Juneteenth was finally recognized as a #federalholiday on June 17, 2021, by @potus Joe Biden. Juneteenth celebrates freedom, liberation, and the enduring promise of liberty for all.
The Museum received a wonderful donation this week. James Bailey has been going though his late mother's estate and came across a photograph from the second annual "Twins Picnic" at Sustar's Pool. What makes this photograph even more special is that it was taken exactly 95 years ago today, on June 14, 1929.
James shared that his late grandmother was a fraternal twin and attended the "twins" picnics with her brother in the 20s-30s. Their family grew up around Harrisburg, NC.
The Matthews Heritage Museum will be hosting another Historic Cemetery Tour this month. Join our knowledgeable guide for tales of notable figures from our past and their contributions to the @townofmatthews . This new experience offers a unique blend of history and storytelling as you wander through the hallowed grounds of the Historic Matthews Cemetery.
Visit the link in our bio to register for this special tour.
🎉🎂 On this day 11 years ago, the Matthews Heritage Museum opened its doors! 🎂🎉 Join us in celebrating over a decade of preserving and sharing @townofmatthews history. Here's to many more years of heritage and discovery! 🏛️✨
The Matthews Heritage Museum is thrilled to participate in the "Miles for Museums" Summer Passport Program. #MilesForMuseums was initiated by the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society in 2023. The program encourages people to explore area #museums and #communities this summer to collect stamps, making them eligible to receive prizes. Stop by the Matthews Heritage Museum to pick up a passport and start the fun! 🗺
Participating Museums: @echs1852_museum , @matthewsheritagemuseum , @badinhistoricmuseum , The Price of Freedom Museum, Hugh Torance House and Store, @stanlycountyhistorycenter , @historicgoldhill , @oakboro_museum_of_history , Oakboro Railroad Museum, Locust Historical Society & Museum, @minthillhistory / Carl J McEwen Historic Village, @ncmhof_museum , CURB Motorsports-Records Museum
Step back in time as you enter the award-winning Matthews Heritage Museum, housed in the 1879 Massey-Clark House, one of the oldest structures in historic downtown Matthews.
Did you know that the neighborhood in Matthews known as Crestdale was originally known as Tank Town for almost 100 years?
The area was comprised of approximately 130 acres divided by the railroad tracks. In 1874, the Carolina Central Railway tracks were laid. The water tank that replenished trains with water for steam power was located here, giving the name Tank Town to the area. In 1878, Dr. J.S. Gribble started selling pieces of his property in Tank Town to black and white citizens, including two black churches. Over time the area developed into an African American community. In 1963, the school system changed the name of the school in Tank Town from Matthews Colored School to Crestdale. Before long, the entire community adopted the name.
Crestdale is one of the oldest African American communities in North Carolina. The @townofmatthews and the Crestdale community have worked to preserve this piece of local history by completing the Matthews Heritage Trail, detailing some of the history and interesting facts about Crestdale.
Tomorrow is #InternationalMuseumDay ! What better way to celebrate than by visiting the Matthews Heritage Museum. We'll be open 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Stop by to see us and learn about 150 years of @townofmatthews history.
🌟 Did you know that May is #NationalPreservationMonth ? Recently preserved, Roseland Cemetery was the burial place of slaves and free people of color. Located off Monroe Road, this historical site is a testament to our shared heritage.
📜 Help us supplement preservation efforts. If your relatives are buried at Roseland, share their details with Matthews Heritage Museum. We seek full names, birth/death dates, your relationship, and contact info.
📧 Email info@matthewsheritagemuseum.org or call 704-708-4996 to contribute. Let's honor our past together.
