Sampson County History Museum

08/09/2026

08/08/2026

The SCHM is hosting a one-woman show about the sinking of the TITANIC on August 18th at 3:00 p.m. at Clinton city hall.
Julie Hedgepeth Williams grew up hearing her great-uncle Albert Caldwell tell about his survival of the Titanic, along with his wife and baby. Julie retells his story today by performing as Albert's wife, Sylvia, in a one-woman show. You might recall Julie's name from many years ago. She lived in Clinton from 1981-1988, where she was a reporter and then an editor for The Sampson Independent.

08/07/2026

The SCHM is an 11 building complex which houses artifacts pertaining to rural life in North Carolina, especially Sampson County. Admission is free.

08/06/2026

The Traveling 250 exhibit is at the SCHM until Tuesday. Come by and find out how we became the United States of America.

08/05/2026

The SCHM is hosting a one-woman show about the sinking of the TITANIC on August 18th at 3:00 p.m. Seating is limited.
Julie Hedgepeth Williams grew up hearing her great-uncle Albert Caldwell tell about his survival of the Titanic, along with his wife and baby. Julie retells his story today by performing as Albert's wife, Sylvia, in a one-woman show. You might recall Julie's name from many years ago. She lived in Clinton from 1981-1988, where she was a reporter and then an editor for The Sampson Independent.

The SCHM is an 11 building complex which houses artifacts pertaining to rural life in North Carolina, especially Sampson County. Admission is free.

07/23/2026

Last week the museum received an antique musket which we believe predates the Civil War. It originally belonged to a family in the Chatham, Virginia area but very little about it is known. I cannot identify any markings at all, and the ramrod is hickory and was obviously handmade. Does anyone have any ideas as to when this sort of gun would have been made and by whom?

07/17/2026

The Richard Clinton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, in partnership with the Sampson County History Museum, is proud to host the American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit from Wednesday, August 5, through Tuesday, August 11.

The exhibit will be open to the public daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with Sunday hours from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Featuring engaging display panels and interactive digital kiosks, the exhibit combines storytelling, illustrations, technology, and unique artifacts to bring the story of America's founding to life. Visitors will discover the people, places, and events that shaped the birth of our nation through an immersive and educational experience.

Mark your calendars and make plans to visit this special traveling exhibit. We look forward to welcoming you!

07/11/2026

One of the more unique items that we have on display at our military museum is a pair of Ho Chi Minh sandals. So named for the Communist leader of North Vietnam, the Ho Chi Minh sandal remains one of the most recognizable pieces of indigenous equipment used during the Vietnam War. Made by hand from discarded vehicle tires, the soles were cut from the tread, and straps were made from inner tubes or thin strips of rubber. Simple, durable, and easy to repair, they were capable of lasting through the harshest conditions of jungle warfare. This pair was donated by a local man who served in Vietnam in 1968.

07/05/2026

The Sampson County History Museum has quite a few items that date back to the American Revolution era.
Have you ever seen the Clinton Broach? It's a loving commemorative piece of jewelry to the namesake of the town of Clinton. He was Lt. Col. Richard Clinton, who fought at the Battle of Moore's Creek for the Patriots. When he died in 1795 his wife had broaches made for herself and daughters depicting a woman crying over his grave. Some of Clinton's red hair is said to be painted into the broach.
To find out more about Lt. Col. Clinton plan a tour of the museum. We are open Thurs-Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.