Free admission at Matthews Heritage Museum first Saturday of the month

Photo courtesy of Matthews Heritage Museum

Matthews Heritage Museum, 232 North Trade Street, Matthews, is housed in the 1879 Massey-Clark House, one of the oldest buildings in Downtown Matthews. The museum offers a glimpse into the past, and a close look at historic artifacts and long-gone ways of life.

Read on for information on visiting Matthews Heritage Museum, the new exhibit, Rediscovering the Reids, and the other current exhibits.

Learn about free days at other Charlotte area museums here.

Admission is just $4 for adults and $2 for ages 11-17. Kids 10 and under are free. The museum is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Matthews Heritage Museum offers free admission the first Saturday of every month.

Reservations are recommended.

Rediscovering the Reids

This exhibit features the two Reid Families of Matthews and Sharon Township, sometimes a confusing topic. Intriguingly two Reid families with no known relationship to each other were joined together with the marriage of Ellie Reid Bell and T. N. Reid. Dr. and Ellie Reid lived in the Reid house at 134 W. John Street throughout their marriage. The exhibit explores the preceding generations of Reids living in the area, leading to this couple and their children. The museum has conducted new research to get a better understanding of the families.

The exhibit will open on March 5, and be on display until June 25, 2022.

The Reid House was given to the Matthews Historical Foundation by Sarah Redd, who inherited the building from Nancy Reid. Nancy and her sister, and two step-sisters lived in the house with Dr. T. N. Reid, her father, and Ellie Reid Bell, her mother. The Reid House, located at 134 W. John Street is one of the few surviving structures in Matthews from the Victorian era.

Ellie’s family first came to this country when her great-grandfather James Reid emigrated from northern Ireland and settled in Mecklenburg. James was a patriot in the Revolutionary War. James’ son Solomon and grandson Jeremiah Solomon were early leaders in the county. Solomon served in the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War, and Jeremiah Solomon served in the NC State Legislature, and is often referred to as the “father” of Matthews as he submitted the request to incorporate the town. Jeremiah’s son Edward Solomon built the Reid House, but sold it to his sister, who lived there with her second husband, Dr. Thomas Neely Reid.

Dr. T. N. Reid of the “other” Reid family grew up in Sharon Township and was a beloved doctor to the Matthews community. Dr. T. N. Reid’s great-grandfather was born in Mecklenburg County in 1772. His great-great grandfather moved here from either Pennsylvania or Ireland. The roots of both of these families intertwine with other leading families in the area. Learn about this interesting family and get to know many of its members. Many never before seen photos of these residents will be featured.

About Matthews Heritage Museum

Matthews Heritage Museum has shared the descriptions of these exhibits.

Lifestyle Gallery
Children and adults will enjoy exploring the Lifestyles Gallery, imagining a time before electricity and running water. Schools were a vital part of the community. Porches were the center of living, particularly in the summer in an effort to stay cool. Learn what was different in the kitchen at the turn of the century.

Community Gallery
The Community Gallery allows you to discover the many activities that happened at the local drug store. You can also investigate the early set up of the doctor’s office or hear wonderful stories about the local pool. A display of Outen Pottery, hand thrown pots made from local clay, is of great interest.

Snippets from the Matthews Remembered and Outen Pottery DVD play for the audience in the Lifestyles and Community Galleries. The hallway panels give visitors insight to early Matthews.

Early Commerce Gallery
Learn about King Cotton and the early days of the railroad. Imagine cashing a check at the Bank of Matthews, and see part of the original bank interior on display. Listen to telephone switchboard stories while looking at an old crank phone and switchboard.