Gaston County Museum of Art & History

10/16/2026

Every Voice Has a Story. Every Drawing Adds to It. ✏️

One of the most meaningful parts of The Many Unheard Voices exhibit is what happens when visitors become part of the story themselves.

Throughout the exhibit, members of the public have contributed their own drawings and sketches through our interactive drawing experience. Some are simple, some are detailed, and each is a small glimpse into the thoughts, perspectives, and creativity of the person who made it.

Together, these drawings become something more than individual works of art. They remind us that history, storytelling, and the human experience aren't shaped by just one voice. They're built from countless perspectives, many of which might otherwise go unseen or unheard.

Thank you to everyone who has picked up a pencil and shared a piece of their perspective with us. You've helped make this exhibit a living conversation, and we're grateful to have your voices as part of it. 💛

Have you experienced The Many Unheard Voices? We'd love for you to visit and add your own mark to the story. Learn more: https://gastoncountymuseum.org/more-voices-heard/

10/15/2026

For nine years, the Mount Holly Lantern Parade has brought our community together in a glowing celebration of creativity, imagination, and local artistry, and the Gaston County Museum has been proud to participate in the magic for most of them!

Over the years, the Museum has sponsored lantern-making materials for local schoolchildren, hosted workshops, and taken to the streets with lantern creations of our own. Some of those creations even left a lasting mark on the community, as one of our lanterns helped inspire a certain figure in a Mount Holly mural. How cool is that?

A look back at two of our favorite creations:
🐌 Come Snail Away
🦊 Revontulet - inspired by the Finnish legend of the fire fox!

While our schedule won't allow us to compete in this year's parade, we're still proud to sponsor this wonderful community tradition. We can't wait to see the creativity lighting up the streets this year, and we're already curious about next year's theme!

What's your favorite memory of the Mount Holly Lantern Parade? Tell us in the comments!

10/15/2026

WE’RE SOLD OUT! 🤍🖤

Our Black & White Gala is officially at capacity, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible support from our community! 🥂✨

Haven’t secured your ticket yet? Don’t lose hope! We’re starting a waitlist in case additional spots become available.

📞 Call the Gaston County Museum to add your name to the waitlist.

Your enthusiasm and generosity mean so much to us. Every ticket purchased helps support the Museum’s exhibitions, programs, artists, and the preservation of the stories that make our community special.

We can't wait to celebrate 50 years of the Gaston County Museum with you! Here’s to an unforgettable evening! 🥂

10/12/2026

Today, we recognize and honor Indigenous Peoples, their histories, cultures, traditions, and enduring contributions to our communities.

The Gaston County Museum of Art & History honors the importance of preserving and sharing the stories of the people who have shaped our past and continue to shape our future.

Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day. 🧡

10/08/2026

COTTON GINNING DAYS SPECIAL! 🇺🇸

Stop by the Gaston County Museum gift shop this weekend and get 50% OFF all Americana merchandise!

Perfect for celebrating the weekend, showing a little hometown pride, or finding a fun souvenir to take home.

See you at the Museum!

10/07/2026

It’s that time of year! 🚜 Cotton Ginning Days is back in Gaston County this weekend.

And there’s no better spot to watch the vintage tractors roll through the Historic Dallas Town Square than from the front porch of the Hoffman Hotel at the Gaston County Museum! This has become a favorite yearly tradition for us, and we’d love for you to join us.

🚜 The tractor parade rolls through this Friday, October 9, starting at 9 a.m.

Make a morning of it! After watching the parade from the Museum’s front porch, stay awhile and explore the Museum during our Low Sensory Hours from 9-11 a.m. Then head over to the park to enjoy all the Cotton Ginning Days festivities.

The County's Cotton Ginning Days brings exhibitors from across the Southeast to Dallas for a “crank-up” of antique steam and gasoline engines, vintage tractors, and more.

And there’s plenty to see and do beyond the engines! Enjoy a kids’ county fair, heritage arts area, handmade craft vendors, live music, and more.

Come for the tractors. Stay for the tradition. And start your Cotton Ginning Days morning with us at the Museum!

10/06/2026

The nights are getting darker, the stories are getting stranger, and the past may not be as quiet as you think.

This season, the Gaston County Museum invites you to step into the shadows with our Ghost Tours! Whether you're a believer, a history lover, or simply looking for a spooky night out, prepare for an evening filled with eerie tales, local legends, and a few surprises along the way.

Think you can handle a little history with a haunting twist? Join us for an unforgettable experience as we explore the stories that linger long after the lights go out.

Museum Members: $5
Non-Members: $15
Children under 13: Free

Gather your bravest friends, bring your curiosity, and prepare to discover a different side of local history. Will you leave with a story of your own?

Get your tickets today! https://bit.ly/4rK35G1

It’s almost time for Spooky Season and our Ghost Tours are back! Due to the popular demand last season, we will have four tours every Friday night in October…

10/05/2026

The countdown is on! We’re just one month away from the Gaston County Museum’s Black & White Gala celebrating the Museum’s 50th anniversary on November 5 at 6:30 pm.

Join us for an unforgettable evening surrounded by art and a little mystery as we mark this special milestone with a masquerade-inspired gala.

Limited seating remains, so if you haven’t reserved your tickets yet, now is the time.

We hope you’ll join us for this very special evening celebrating our Museum of Art & History!

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Tickets: https://bit.ly/4xJ9EdB

10/03/2026

On Wednesday, five women were recognized at the 10th Annual Women Who Rock event hosted by the Gaston Business Association and Gaston County Economic Development Commission (EDC). Held during the EDC's Manufacturing Week, the celebration recognizes influential and extraordinary women who are making a powerful impact in their workplaces and communities. Congratulations to the 2026 honorees:
Alexandra “Ali” Pizza, Executive Director of the Gaston County Museum of Art & History
Mary Moffitt, Executive Director of the McGill Family YMCA
Julie Fopiano, Human Resources Manager for ICONS America
Viviannette Ortiz, Founder of Latinos Aventureros
Hydeia Hayes, Human Resources Director for Bessemer City

10/02/2026

Something is stirring on the Dallas Historic Town Square… and tonight, you can find out what.

The first Gaston County Museum Ghost Tour of the season is happening TONIGHT, and it’s not too late to join us. There’s still room for a few more brave souls willing to wander through local history, hear the stories that refuse to stay buried, and step inside the 1852 Hoffman Hotel - one of the Square’s most famously haunted buildings.

We’ll have tours at 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Come curious. Leave… well, we can’t make any promises about what might follow you home.

Museum member tickets are only $5 and children under 13 attend FREE. Non-member adult tickets are $15.

Tonight is your chance. Gather your bravest friends and claim your spot before the spirits settle in for the night.

Get your tickets at: https://bit.ly/4rK35G1

Dare to come inside?