Free admission first Saturday of month at Matthews Heritage Museum

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, upcoming events, and 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.

About Matthews Heritage Museum

Matthews Heritage Museum has shared the descriptions of these exhibits.

North Carolina Pottery: A Tradition in Clay

Pinch pot and cup swirlware by B.B. Craig, Vase by Vernon Owens of Jugtown, and Catawba Owl figure by Sara Ayers. Photo by Matthews Heritage Museum

The exhibit features pottery from several areas in the state known for their production including: the eastern Piedmont (Chatham County and the Seagrove area of Randolph, Moore and Montgomery Counties), the Catawba Valley (Catawba, Lincoln and Union Counties) and Buncombe County. Additionally, we will have pieces from Sanford and Outen Pottery from Matthews, as well as some pieces from Catawba Native Americans.

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.