Historic Burke Foundation

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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, Morganton, 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.

Please Join Us!
10/17/2026

Please Join Us!

From Burke County to American HistoryThe story of Senator Sam Ervin reminds us that history is not only made in the nati...
10/07/2026

From Burke County to American History

The story of Senator Sam Ervin reminds us that history is not only made in the nation's capital, it often begins in communities like Burke County.

From his childhood in Morganton to his service in war, the courtroom, the U.S. Senate, and one of the most consequential congressional investigations in American history, Ervin's life demonstrates how one individual from a small North Carolina community can leave a lasting mark on the nation.

At Historic Burke Foundation, we believe that preserving local history helps us better understand our shared American story. Every historic place, every artifact, and every person has a story worth preserving, and sharing with future generations.

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

10/06/2026

Did You Know?

Five quick facts about Senator Sam Ervin

-Born in Morganton in 1896
-Harvard Law School graduate
-Decorated World War I veteran
-Served 20 years in the U.S. Senate (1954–1974)
-Chaired the Senate Watergate Committee

How many of these did you already know?

Sources: U.S. Senate Historical Office, Samuel J. Ervin Jr.; U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Historian, Samuel James Ervin Jr.; Congressional Record, April 24, 1985 (World War I service and military decorations).

10/05/2026

What an incredible Revolutionary War Day Event!

Hundreds of visitors, 39 stations, 124 volunteers and participants, and several hundred children came together for an afternoon of living history, hands-on learning, and community fun.

Thank you to everyone who helped make Revolutionary Days such a success. History is alive in Burke County! ❤️

Hundreds of visitors joined us last Sunday for an incredible afternoon of history, learning, and family fun! We were esp...
10/04/2026

Hundreds of visitors joined us last Sunday for an incredible afternoon of history, learning, and family fun! We were especially thrilled to welcome several hundred children throughout the day!

And what a day they had. ❤️

One of our busiest hands-on stations taught children the traditional art of making corn husk dolls — and in just four hours, 140 corn husk dolls were made!

Our visitors truly spanned the generations. The youngest was an infant, while our oldest known visitor was 90 years old. That is exactly what Historic Burke is about: bringing generations together to experience, learn, and celebrate the history that connects us.

It took an amazing community to make the day possible. 124 people worked or volunteered during the event, some for the entire day. Among them were 28 young people who shared their talents by demonstrating fiddle playing, dancing, lacemaking and corn husk doll making, as well as helping children color drawings of the Betsy Ross flag.

Visitors explored 39 stations throughout the historic house, restoration kitchen, breezeway, kitchen garden, and grounds.

Our presenters and demonstrators traveled from Knoxville, Tennessee; Gaffney, South Carolina; and Fayetteville, Blowing Rock, Vale, Hickory, Lincolnton, Gamewell, Nebo, Little Switzerland, Spruce Pine, and Morganton, North Carolina to help bring history to life.

And Mother Nature couldn't have given us a better setting: blue skies, comfortable temperatures, and a sweet late-summer breeze for a busy afternoon of learning, laughter, and fun.

To every volunteer, presenter, demonstrator, young participant, visitor, family, and community partner who helped make the day possible — thank you.

Historic places come alive when people gather in them, learn from them, and pass their stories to the next generation.

Judging by Sunday's crowd, history is very much alive in Burke County.

10/02/2026

In 1973, Senator Sam Ervin was chosen to chair the U.S. Senate's Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, better known as the Senate Watergate Committee.

Over 37 days of nationally televised hearings, millions of Americans watched as the committee investigated the Watergate scandal. The hearings became a defining moment in American history, reinforcing Congress's role in holding government accountable and ultimately contributing to the events that led to President Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974.

For many across the nation, the calm, constitutional leadership of the Morganton native became the public face of one of the most significant congressional investigations in U.S. history.

Sources: U.S. Senate Historical Office, Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities (The Watergate Committee); Richard Nixon Foundation, Watergate Explained.

The History Museum of Burke County and Thornwell Books are collaborating on new programs to explore in more depth our lo...
10/01/2026

The History Museum of Burke County and Thornwell Books are collaborating on new programs to explore in more depth our local history. If you are new to the area or have never known much about our history here, this is a fun way to learn more. Did you know, for example, that the Revolutionary War was won in the southern campaign most of which took place in North and South Carolina? Do you know how Morganton and Burke County got their names? If you are interested in learning more, join us on Thursday, October 15th at 5:30 at Thornwell Books. We will have some time to socialize, meet the History Museum Curator, Corwin Keys, and hear from local historian Bill Brown before going to the History Museum for a tour with docent Margaret Hampson.

There is no charge to attend but a head count is needed so please email jean@thornwellbooks if you would like to attend.

👏 Volunteer Spotlight: Susan Amico!A lot of work happens behind the scenes to make Revolutionary Days a success!We would...
09/30/2026

👏 Volunteer Spotlight: Susan Amico!

A lot of work happens behind the scenes to make Revolutionary Days a success!

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Susan Amico, who volunteered more than 14 hours cleaning, organizing, and preparing the office and storage room at the Visitors’ Center ahead of our annual Revolutionary Days event.

From sorting supplies to getting our spaces event-ready, Susan’s hard work helped ensure our team could focus on welcoming visitors and bringing local history to life.

Volunteers like Susan are an important part of everything we do at the Historic Burke Foundation. We are incredibly grateful for her time, energy, and willingness to jump in wherever she was needed.

Thank you, Susan, for helping us preserve our history and prepare for another memorable Revolutionary Days!

Almon Carr, who may have been the longest serving board member in HBF history, passed away in January, 2026. Almon was a...
09/29/2026

Almon Carr, who may have been the longest serving board member in HBF history, passed away in January, 2026. Almon was a key figure in the restoration and interpretation of the Charles McDowell House and the Old Burke County Courthouse where HBF has its office. He also served as Co-Coordinator of the Annual Revolutionary War Days events for some years, as well as for five public commemorative crossings of the river, and numerous living history days for fourth graders. Through the years, he donated many artifacts and contributed thousands of hours of work. This year, during the Annual Revolutionary War Days event on September 27, the dining room table at the McDowell House was set with Colonial pottery dishes donated by Almon and his wife, Ann. This framed photo of Almon, along with a framed tribute to him, was on display on the sugar chest in the dining room.

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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