Historic Burke Foundation

Historic Burke Foundation Our offices, Heritage Museum, and gift shop are located in the Historic Burke County Courthouse. Located at 119 St.

Our offices and Heritage Museum are located in the Historic Burke County Courthouse at 102 East Union Street. The courtroom is available by appointment for small events and weddings for an hourly fee. Historic Burke Foundation owns and operates the Captain Charles McDowell, Jr. House at Quaker Meadow, a house museum and the oldest existing brick structure in Burke County. Mary's Church Road, Morga

nton, NC, the house and grounds are open by appointment. They are available for special events and meetings with a deposit and rental fee. The Erwin Family Cemetery at Belvidere and Quaker Meadows Cemetery, also owned by the foundation, are accessible by appointment for tours. Call or email our office to make reservations.

08/25/2026

Returning Home

After retiring from the U.S. Senate in 1974, Senator Sam Ervin returned to the place he had always called home—Morganton.

Although his years in Washington had made him a nationally recognized public figure, Ervin resumed the practice of law, wrote books, delivered lectures, and remained active in civic life throughout North Carolina until his death in 1985.
His decision to return home reflected a lifelong connection to Burke County and the community where his public service began.

Sources: U.S. Senate Historical Office, Samuel J. Ervin Jr.; U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Historian, Samuel James Ervin Jr.; North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, U.S. Senator Sam J. Ervin, Jr. of Watergate Fame.

08/22/2026

SAVE THE DATE — Revolutionary War Day 2026!

Step back in time and experience the sights, sounds, skills, and stories of the Revolutionary era at the Captain Charles McDowell House at Quaker Meadows!

Join us as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with an afternoon of living history and hands-on demonstrations for the whole family.

Experience:
⭐ Overmountain Victory Trail Association Annual Marchers & Musket Firing
⭐ Longrifles
⭐ Military & Frontier Medicine
⭐ Blacksmithing & Hide Tanning
⭐ Campfire Cooking
⭐ Homestead Animals
⭐ Colonial Toys, Games & Clothing
⭐ Needlework, Lacemaking & Flax Wheel
⭐ Fabric Dyes from Plants & Corn Husk Dolls
⭐ Quill Writing
⭐ Native American & Revolutionary Artifacts
…and more!

📅 Sunday, September 27, 2026
⏰ 1:00–5:00 p.m.
📍 Captain Charles McDowell House
119 St. Mary’s Church Road
Morganton, NC 28655

Bring the family and spend the afternoon discovering the people, traditions, and everyday skills that shaped life during the Revolutionary era.

Mark your calendar and watch for more details as Revolutionary War Day approaches!

08/21/2026

Throughout his career, Senator Sam Ervin argued that the Constitution exists to limit the power of government and protect the rights of individual citizens.

Long before concerns about digital privacy, Ervin championed legislation to safeguard Americans from unwarranted government intrusion into their personal lives. His leadership on privacy rights helped shape the Privacy Act of 1974, one of the nation's most significant federal privacy laws.

His lifelong commitment to constitutional principles earned him respect as one of the Senate's leading constitutional scholars.

Sources: U.S. Senate Historical Office, Samuel J. Ervin Jr.; U.S. Department of Justice, Overview of the Privacy Act of 1974; North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, U.S. Senator Sam J. Ervin, Jr. of Watergate Fame.

08/17/2026

A Decorated World War I Veteran

Many know Sam Ervin as a senator. Fewer know he first earned distinction as a soldier.

During World War I, Ervin served with the U.S. Army's 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, in France. He fought in major engagements including Cantigny and Soissons and was wounded twice in combat. For his service and gallantry, he received the Distinguished Service Cross - the Army's second-highest decoration for valor - the Silver Star, two Purple Hearts, and the French Fourragère. At Cantigny, he made repeated trips through heavy enemy fire until he was wounded. His Distinguished Service Cross citation for Soissons describes extraordinary heroism while leading an advance against a German machine-gun position.

The Distinguished Service Cross - The second-highest military decoration awarded to U.S. Army members for extreme gallantry and risk of life in combat,

The Silver Star - Third highest military combat award given to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and is awarded for gallantry in action while engaged in combat against an enemy force.

Two Purple Hearts - Awarded to soldiers who were wounded in action.

Long before defending the Constitution in the U.S. Senate, he had already demonstrated extraordinary courage on the battlefield.



Source: Congressional Record, April 24, 1985.

08/15/2026

More Than an "Old Country Lawyer"

Although he graduated from Harvard Law School and served as a justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court, Senator Sam Ervin never forgot his Burke County roots. His plainspoken style, sharp wit, and deep knowledge of history and the U.S. Constitution made him one of the most recognizable voices in American politics.

But Ervin's path to the national stage began decades before Watergate. His long career in public service included:

North Carolina House of Representatives — Elected in 1922 and returned for terms beginning in 1925 and 1931
Burke County Criminal Court Judge — 1935–1937
North Carolina Superior Court Judge — 1937–1943
U.S. House of Representatives — 1946, completing the unexpired term of his brother, Joseph W. Ervin
Associate Justice, North Carolina Supreme Court — 1948–1954
U.S. Senator from North Carolina — 1954–1974

During the nationally televised Watergate hearings, millions of Americans came to know the Morganton native whose calm, thoughtful approach reflected a lifetime devoted to the law and public service.

Sources:
-UNC University Libraries, “Who Was Sam Ervin?” – Watergate: A Continuing Legacy
-U.S. Senate Historical Office, “Sam Ervin: A Featured Biography”
-North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, “Sam J. Ervin, Jr. 1896–1985”
-Sam J. Ervin Jr., Humor of a Country Lawyer (University of North Carolina Press, 1983).

08/13/2026

Burke County's Most Famous Statesman-Senator Sam Ervin: From Morganton to the National Stage

Long before millions of Americans watched him on television during the Watergate hearings, Samuel James Ervin Jr. was simply a young man growing up in Morganton.

Born on September 27, 1896, Ervin attended Morganton's public schools before studying at UNC-Chapel Hill, serving in World War I, and earning his law degree from Harvard. After practicing law in his hometown, he became a judge, North Carolina Supreme Court justice, and ultimately served 20 years in the United States Senate.

Few people from Burke County have had a greater influence on American history.
Historic Burke County is proud to preserve places connected to Senator Ervin's remarkable life.



Sources: U.S. Senate Historical Office; U.S. House History Office.

SAVE THE DATE!Step back in time and experience the sights, sounds, and skills of Revolutionary-era America!Join Historic...
08/06/2026

SAVE THE DATE!

Step back in time and experience the sights, sounds, and skills of Revolutionary-era America!

Join Historic Burke Foundation for Revolutionary War Day, a special celebration of America's 250th Anniversary, on Sunday, September 27, from 1:00–5:00 p.m. at the Captain Charles McDowell House.

Spend the afternoon exploring living history with demonstrations and hands-on activities including:
• Musket firing and longrifles
• Blacksmithing
• Campfire cooking
• Military and frontier medicine
• Colonial toys, games, and clothing
• Needlework, lacemaking, and flax wheel demonstrations
• Natural fabric dyes
• Corn husk doll making
• Quill writing
• Homestead animals
• Native American and Revolutionary War artifacts
…and much more!

We're also excited to welcome members of the Overmountain Victory Trail Association, who will share the stories and traditions of those who helped shape our nation's history.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, bringing the family, or simply looking for a unique afternoon in Burke County, this is an event you won't want to miss.

📅 Sunday, September 27
🕐 1:00–5:00 p.m.
📍 Captain Charles McDowell House
119 St. Mary's Church Road
Morganton, NC 28655

Additional details will be announced soon. Mark your calendars today!

Step Back in Time at Revolutionary War Day!What was life really like in the Carolina backcountry during the American Rev...
07/27/2026

Step Back in Time at Revolutionary War Day!

What was life really like in the Carolina backcountry during the American Revolution?

Join Historic Burke Foundation on Sunday, September 27, from 1:00–5:00 PM at the Captain Charles McDowell Jr. House for an afternoon of living history, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences for the whole family.

From blacksmithing and longrifles to campfire cooking, colonial games, traditional crafts, frontier medicine, historic artifacts, and homestead animals, there will be something to discover around every corner.

This year’s Revolutionary War Day is especially meaningful as we commemorate America’s 250th anniversary and remember the people, places, and events that connected Burke County to the fight for American independence.

📍 Captain Charles McDowell Jr. House
119 St. Mary’s Church Road
Morganton, NC 28655

Who are you bringing with you? Tag them below and help us spread the word!

07/22/2026

Congratulations to our dear friend and longtime Historic Burke Foundation supporter, Maxine McCall, on being named Appalachian State University's 2026 Outstanding Alumni Award recipient!

This well-deserved honor recognizes a lifetime of service to education, theater, history, and philanthropy. Maxine's passion for preserving our community's stories and inspiring others has left a lasting impact across Burke County and beyond.

Historic Burke Foundation is deeply grateful for Maxine's friendship and generosity. Most recently, her significant gift helped fund the new sound system in the Historic Burke County Courthouse, ensuring visitors can continue to enjoy educational programs, lectures, and community events for years to come.

We're also honored to be working with Maxine on exciting new research related to Frankie Silver. We look forward to sharing more about this fascinating project as it develops.

Please join us in congratulating Maxine on this remarkable and well-earned recognition! 🎉

Address

101 South Sterling Street
Morganton, NC
28655

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+18284374104

Website

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