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Iredell
Museums is the result of a December 2004 merger of the Iredell
Museum of Arts and Heritage and the Children's Museum of Iredell
County.
The
mission of Iredell Museums is to preserve, promote, and provide
learning experiences in culture, heritage, science and the
arts. The organization operates Court Street Gallery, the
Heritage Farmstead and the Children's Play Space, an interactive
children's museum.
Iredell
Museum of Arts & Heritage
On
March 3, 1956, a meeting was held for the purpose of establishing
a museum in Statesville, North Carolina, the county seat of
Iredell County. A constitution and by-laws were adopted in
July of 1956 and a Certificate of Incorporation of the Arts
and Science Museum Inc. was filed with the Secretary of State.
Following
the incorporation of the new museum in July of 1956, the founders
met with the City Council to request a lease on Statesville's
original water pumping station. Built in 1899, the station
was constructed to send water to the town cistern near Mitchell
College. Later, in 1950, a new pump station was built and
the old building was ordered "abandoned and destroyed."
A lease on the abandoned building was approved and renovation
began in August 1956.
The
new museum would not only become a gallery in which to feature
art exhibits but would strive to be a catalyst in spreading
knowledge of culture and art throughout the county. With this
goal in mind, museum founders also initiated the Artists'
Guild of Statesville, the Puppet Theater and the Statesville
Little Theater.
By
1974, museum members numbered nearly 450. Land around the
museum was increased from three acres to twenty. In 1997-98
the Arts and Science Center refined its mission and changed
its name to the Iredell Museum of Arts and Heritage.
The
museum housed artifacts from the area, including early Native
American relics and 19th century clothing, as well as the
work of local artists. Collections grew to include a substantial
number of paintings by Mack Long, grandfather of artist Ben
Long who designed and executed the fresco in the Statesville
Civic Center. The sizable permanent collection, growing to
number in the thousands, was displayed on a rotating basis.
The
museum's Living History program centered around property adjacent
to the old pump station. It became known as the Heritage Farmstead.
Two Colonial era log cabins, a smokehouse, barn, corncrib,
schoolhouse and herb garden were acquired and set in a natural
environment. The two-story cabin, circa 1790, formerly stood
on Midway Road and the one-room cabin, circa 1820, was from
the Amity Hill area. The schoolhouse was moved to the site
in 1999. Demonstrations and events that featured life in early
Iredell County were presented on site by a dedicated and knowledgeable
group of specialized volunteers.
Today,
the museum's grounds along Museum Road cover thirty acres,
including woodland, creek and bog. The area provides a home
for deer and blue heron as well as other native wildlife.
Walking trails, marked and cleared by local Boy Scouts in
1974, crisscross the area.
Children's
Museum of Iredell County
In
1980, individuals with a vision of the growth and learning
potential of Iredell County's children organized the Children's
Museum of Iredell County, a nonprofit educational organization.
The fall of 1981 saw the incorporation of the first Children's
Museum and the Iredell Board of County Commissioners approved
use of 1,600 square feet for the museum in the Old Court House.
What
began as six partial exhibits housed in the basement of the
old Statesville Courthouse, grew into a fully operational
organization. The new museum featured hands-on learning exhibits,
workshops and programs in the arts, culture and sciences,
as well as a performing arts series. Renovations to the space
began in 1982 and in June of that year, the first performing
arts production was staged.
The
next five years, 1983-1988, saw the Children's Museum open
to the public, open six exhibit areas, begin drama classes
and performing arts productions, expand their exhibits to
nine exhibit areas and introduce the performing arts series
in school performances. In 1988 the Visual Arts program was
added.
Between
1989 and 1993, the Children's Museum moved to the City Center
and later to Mulberry Street School, always continuing the
programming and events that were so important to the children
of the county. In 1995, the goal of year-round programming
was reached, the arts program was expanded and a music program
was added.
In
1996, the Children's Museum relocated to 134 Court Street
and purchased the building the following year. While the first
and second floors were stabilized and a new roof, stairwell
and bathrooms were added, the museum moved to the Signal Hill
Mall satellite location.
Through
public performances and in-school programs, the Children's
Museum provided access to the arts to serve the community's
young people. Its sponsorship of the Magical Moments Performing
Arts Series provided educational and enrichment opportunities
that complemented North Carolina's curriculum. The Children's
Museum was also added to the NC Grassroots Science Collaborative,
receiving funding for programs and exhibits in science, health,
and the environment. Additionally, the museum hosted Splice
of Life, a national touring exhibit.
Iredell
Museums
In
2004, a successful merger was approved for the Iredell Museum
of Arts and Heritage and the Children's Museum of Iredell
County to become Iredell Museums.
The
location at 134 Court Street has become the Court Street Gallery
which brings the works of local and regional artists to Iredell
citizens; the log structures along Museum Road near the old
pump station have become known as the Heritage Farmstead and
continue to educate school children and entertain families
with year-round events; and the satellite location at Signal
Hill Mall offers hands-on learning exhibits and classes for
the children of Iredell County.
Iredell Museums has become a regional center of creative exploration,
learning and inspiration for the community through extensive
collections, educational and entertaining exhibits, innovative
programs and living history events.
Come
join us! We have something for everyone!
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