Watauga County Historical Society
PRESERVING LOCAL HISTORY AND CULTURE THROUGH EDUCATION
P.O. Box 3453
Boone, NC 28607
ph: 828-297-6120
alt: 828-264-4275
watauga1
Endeavors
Mission
The Watauga County Historical Society's mission is twofold: education and preservation. These goals are justified on their own merit--historic sites, structures, artifacts and memories, once lost, are impossible to replace. Without the active and deliberate involvement of the community, these cultural elements will disappear. Historic structures cannot truly be rebuilt after they are destroyed. Historic sites cannot be recreated once they have been bulldozed. Historic artifacts and photographs cannot be recovered once they are lost. Personal memories cannot be recovered after a human being dies. These elements must be saved, not only for us today, but also for future generations. Educating ourselves about about the people, structures and values of the past is central to the preservation of cultural heritage.
In a broader sense, the Watauga County Historical Society contributes to the community's identity and economy. Historic preservation and heritage development have been proven to strengthen local economies, communities and neighborhoods. In addition, a sense of history creates civic pride and responsibility among residents, making counties, cities and communities great places to live.
If you share our goals, please support the Society in the endeavors listed below.
Membership
By joining the Watauga County Historical Society, you will receive advance notice of meetings, activities, and publications. You will also be supporting the Society's primary goals of education and preservation. To join the Society, click here to access a printable membership form.Meetings/History Lectures
The Society holds quarterly meetings at which experts in various aspects of Watauga County history make presentations. These lectures allow community members of many backgrounds and professions to highlight their research and experiences, and serve as one of the primary educational outreach tools of the Society.
Michael Hardy speaks on the Civil War in Watauga County
Historical Research and Publications
From its inception, members of the Society have been actively involved in research and publication of educational materials. A journal entitled Watauga County Times Past was published for several years and Society members also contributed to The Heritage of Watauga County. The Federal Census Transcription Project, spearheaded by Dr. Carl A. Ross and taken up by the Appalachian State University History Department, originated with the Historical Society.
December 1983 cover of Watauga County Times....past.
The latest and largest publication project is The Architectural History of Watauga County, North Carolina. With the production and sale of this book, the Historical Society hopes to foster interest in the history and built heritage of Watauga County, to encourage the preservation of historic sites and landmarks within the County, and to fund other projects. To order, click here for a printable order form.
If you are in the Watauga County area, books may be purchased at the Jones House in downtown Boone, the University Bookstore at Appalachian State University, and at Edgewood Cottage in Blowing Rock.
The book is also available on eBay, item #180427229199.
Networking with Local Agencies and Committees
The Watauga County Historical Society takes an active role in many history-related committees, agencies and celebrations. Currently the Society is working with the local Blue Ridge Parkway 75th Birthday Committee in formulating celebration plans for next year. The Society also takes part in Daniel Boone Days, the Farm-City Celebration, and many other local events.Preservation of historic sites, structures, documents, photographs and artifacts
The Society welcomes the opportunity to become involved in the preservation of any aspect of Watauga County history and culture. Recently, the Society actively supported the preservation of the downtown Boone Post Office Building, and also stood against the demolition of a century-old oak tree. The Post Office was saved, but the tree was taken down to accommodate the widening of King Street.
At present, we do not have archival space, but we can suggest repositories for your historic documents, photos or artifacts. Likewise, our preservation contacts at the state level can help with National Register nominations for historic buildings, rehabilitation of historic sites, or any other preservation effort you might undertake.
United States Post Office, Boone, North Carolina
John and Nan Mast House. Historical photo courtesy of the late Nora Most Wilson.
Genealogical Assistance
A very important part of preserving cultural heritage is family history. We do not do genealogy, but we can answer simple questions and put you in touch with local genealogical experts.Grantwriting
Though we are still in the planning stages, we hope to begin assisting preservation-minded local individuals and organizations in obtaining funding for their projects.Awards
Within the next year or so, we hope to begin sponsoring awards, certificates and other forms of recognition for outstanding achievements in the fields of historic preservation and education.
P.O. Box 3453
Boone, NC 28607
ph: 828-297-6120
alt: 828-264-4275
watauga1
