Alamance County Historical Museum

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Alamance County Historical Museum Housed in the historic L. Banks Holt House, a National Register site, the museum shares Alamance County’s stories, artifacts, and traditions.

The only kind of Draw 4 we don't mind. 📸🏛️Your camera roll can always make room for a few more photos.How many museum ph...
09/03/2026

The only kind of Draw 4 we don't mind. 📸🏛️

Your camera roll can always make room for a few more photos.

How many museum photos are currently in your camera roll? 👀

The Alamance County Historical Museum presents "Witchcraft in Colonial North Carolina" luncheon.  Around the turn of the...
08/29/2026

The Alamance County Historical Museum presents "Witchcraft in Colonial North Carolina" luncheon. Around the turn of the 18th century, colonists throughout North America believed in witchcraft, or that spiritual people could use supernatural powers to affect the world around them. North Carolinians were no different, and here alone at least six women were accused of witchcraft. Using archival documents from colonial court records, we'll explore accounts of witchcraft, why these women were accused, and what happened to them on trial. Our guest speaker will be Katie Hatton, the Colonial Records Editor with the NC State Office of Archives and History.

Thursday, October 8, 2026
11:30am–2:30pm

Alamance Country Club
3007 N. Fairway Dr., Burlington, NC.

Reservation with payment
(please indicate if gluten free or vegetarian option is required)
$65 per person
(Includes a donation to the museum)

Rsvp to Museum by October 1, 2026
(336)226-8254

We all have basic human needs: oxygen, food, water, shelter… and, obviously, a visit to the museum. 🏛️Some things are es...
08/27/2026

We all have basic human needs: oxygen, food, water, shelter… and, obviously, a visit to the museum. 🏛️

Some things are essential. Others just make life a little more interesting.

Consider this your sign to add us to your list of places to visit. Come see us at the Alamance County Historical Museum.

This week, we're introducing Meredith Harrison, Mary Speight, Beth Kelley, Julie Monroe, and Tom Lambeth. Whether they'v...
08/20/2026

This week, we're introducing Meredith Harrison, Mary Speight, Beth Kelley, Julie Monroe, and Tom Lambeth.

Whether they've been involved for one year or more than twenty, each Board member brings unique experiences and perspectives to preserving Alamance County's history.

From supporting museum programs and fundraising efforts to helping guide the museum's future, their dedication makes a lasting impact.

We also asked what they enjoy most about being involved with the museum. Mary Speight said, "I enjoy historical events and programs."

Take a moment to swipe through and get to know this week's featured Board members.

💬 Which museum event or program has been your favorite?

🛋️ Behind the ArtifactAttributed to the renowned Duncan Phyfe Workshop of New York, this Classical Revival sofa reflects...
08/19/2026

🛋️ Behind the Artifact

Attributed to the renowned Duncan Phyfe Workshop of New York, this Classical Revival sofa reflects the exceptional craftsmanship that made the workshop one of the most respected furniture makers in early America. Inspired by the art of ancient Greece and Rome, carved cornucopias and lion's paw feet were all carefully designed to communicate elegance.

One of the sofa's most striking details is its carved cornucopia. In ancient Greece and Rome, the "Horn of Amalthea" was a mythical horn said to provide an endless supply of food and drink. The word cornucopia comes from the Latin cornu ("horn") and copia ("plenty"), making it a symbol of abundance and prosperity.

When Neoclassical design became popular in America, cornucopias appeared on furniture, ceramics, textiles, and other decorative arts. Displaying this motif reflected an appreciation for the classical world and demonstrated education and refinement.

The cornucopia celebrated the prosperity of agriculture and the abundance of the land. Unlike many urban homes, rural families often chose symbols that reflected their connection to farming and the countryside, allowing the furniture itself to tell the story of the home and its owners.

Swipe through to learn more about the remarkable craftsmanship and symbolism behind one of the museum's most impressive pieces of furniture.

💬 Which detail of the sofa caught your eye first?

08/14/2026

If you're ever in Charleston... we highly recommend making the “short” 5-hour drive north to visit us. 🤭

Okay, maybe it’s not exactly around the corner, but if you love historic homes, we think it’s worth the trip.

Add the Alamance County Historical Museum to your next North Carolina itinerary!

Meet some of the dedicated volunteers who help make the museum possible. Today we're introducing Vickie Whitaker, Holt S...
08/13/2026

Meet some of the dedicated volunteers who help make the museum possible.

Today we're introducing Vickie Whitaker, Holt Skinner, Janice Davis, David Sellers, and Tom Steele, Jr. Each brings their own experiences, interests, and passion for preserving Alamance County's history, helping support the museum in countless ways.

We also asked our Board members what the museum means to them.

Vickie Whitaker said, "Wonderful programs with a variety of history topics and a great group of people to work with."

Holt Skinner said, "Very proud to be associated with the very best home museum in North Carolina. Historical preservation is the ultimate recycling."

Take a moment to learn more about each of them by swiping through the post, and stay tuned as we continue introducing more members of our Board in the coming weeks.

🏛️ Behind the ArtifactBefore radios and record players, families gathered around music boxes like this one.Built in 1905...
08/12/2026

🏛️ Behind the Artifact

Before radios and record players, families gathered around music boxes like this one.

Built in 1905 by Mermod Frères of Lucerne, Switzerland, this Mira disc music box became known for its craftsmanship, rich sound, and durable design. Instead of using a fixed cylinder, it played interchangeable metal discs, making it easy to switch between different songs by just replacing the disc.

To play the music, a disc was placed inside the box, and a hand crank wound an internal spring. As the disc rotated, its raised tabs plucked a steel comb, producing the rich, resonant sound for which Mira music boxes became famous.

The movement was manufactured in Switzerland, while the cabinet was typically built in the country where the music box was sold. Known for both exceptional craftsmanship and outstanding tonal quality, Mira music boxes are still highly prized by collectors today.

More than 120 years later, this music box remains in working condition, allowing us to hear music much as people would have at the beginning of the 20th century.

💬 Have you ever seen a disc music box before?

Address

4777 S NC Highway 62
Burlington, NC
27215

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 10:30am - 4pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+13362268254

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