Anson County Historical Society

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Anson County Historical Society Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Anson County Historical Society, 206 East Wade Street, Wadesboro, NC.

The Anson County Historical Society
is devoted to providing educational,
cultural, and recreational benefits
for the citizens of Anson County
and anyone interested in Anson's rich history.

This Saturday we are still ON for our Annual Haunted Historical Walk! Hosted by Steve Lear at 6pmPeople Fest has also be...
10/12/2026

This Saturday we are still ON for our Annual Haunted Historical Walk! Hosted by Steve Lear at 6pm

People Fest has also been rescheduled to this Saturday, 9am-5pm and fireworks 9pm

Come enjoy a long day of fun & some historical facts! Come check out our booth at the Ashe-Covington Medical Museum and grab some ACHS swag! Our walk will begin at 6pm at the WADESBORO TOWN SQUARE. We ask for a $10 cash donation, but this event is FREE!

Please remember we are asking our guests to fill out this form to help us “guesstimate” our attendance. But “walk ins” are welcome! ⬇️
https://forms.gle/QiL4VjeUXEEd63rU6

This is a FREE EVENT, but a small cash donation to the Anson County Historical Society is appreciated.
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10/12/2026

Today is Columbus Day! But also Indigenous People Day! Let’s learn about the natives who were here in Anson first.

Before settlers began arriving in Anson County between 1740 and 1750, the land was home to Native American tribes who lived along the rivers and creeks, making use of the area’s abundant natural resources. Vast forests, wild game, fruits, and waterways provided food, clothing, and routes for travel and trade.

According to History of Anson County, NC 1750–1976 by Mary L. Medley, several tribes lived throughout the region, including the Catawba, Cheraw, Waxhaw, P*e Dee, and others. Their communities and territories helped shape the history of the Carolina Piedmont, and many of their names remain today in local towns, communities, and waterways.

Explorer John Lawson traveled through the Carolinas in 1700 and documented Native American villages in areas that would later become part of Anson County.

The Catawba Nation, led in the early 1700s by Chief Hagler (Haigler), became an important ally to English settlers. Chief Hagler was known for his intelligence and willingness to resolve disputes through discussion. During the French and Indian War, the Catawba supported the English, while the Cherokee sided with the French.

As settlement expanded, Native American communities faced devastating losses from diseases such as smallpox, along with other hardships that greatly reduced their populations.

The history of Anson County begins long before the county itself was established. Understanding the Native American communities who first called this land home helps us better appreciate the rich and complex history of our region.

Source: History of Anson County, NC 1750–1976 by Mary L. Medley, published in 1976, Chapter 2: “The Indians Were First.”

Learn more about our local history with the Anson County Historical Society!
☎️ 704694-6694
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10/12/2026

Part 6 of our research books available at the Anson County Historical Society!

We look forward to hosting you on your research journey

Give our office a call to schedule your appointment today
☎️ 704-694-6694
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10/11/2026

Look at this beautiful 19th century pie safe that we have on display at the Boggan Hammonds Home

Call today to schedule your appointment
☎️ 704-694-6694
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10/10/2026

Acquired by the Boy Scouts in the 1930s, this oil-fired peanut cooker features a warming bin and was pushed uptown during community events, including Fourth of July celebrations, New Year’s Eve, and election days.

In 2024, the local Boy Scouts donated this piece of history to the Anson County Historical Society, helping preserve a unique part of our community’s past.

Come visit us and discover more pieces of Anson County history!
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Black History Tribute ✨ Dr. & Mrs. Rennick have been members of Anson County Historical Society in Wadesboro since Decem...
10/09/2026

Black History Tribute ✨

Dr. & Mrs. Rennick have been members of Anson County Historical Society in Wadesboro since December 17, 2016.

Dr. John Hamlin Rennick, Jr. was born March 29, 1956 in Wadesboro NC to John H. Rennick, Sr. & Minnie E. Renick. Dr. Rennick grew up with three sisters, Rhoda & Regina & Sandra on Wheeler Street in Wadesboro.

Dr. Rennick attended 1st grade thru the 3rd grade 1962 to 1964 at J. R. Faison School on Salisbury Street in Wadesboro. In the 4th grade (1965) & 5th grade (1966), he attended Central Elementary School on White Store Road in Wadesboro, along with his sisters & one other black family, as the first black families to participate in the “Freedom of Choice” program in Anson County, which provided the opportunity for integration into the previously all white school.

It was during his school days in the 6th grade, 7th grade & 8th grade at Wadesboro Middle School, that Dr. Rennick accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. He then attended 9th grade at Anson High School & 10th, 11th & 12th grades at Bowman High School between 1970 to 1974 where he participated in several sports (football, track, cross country & baseball) & school clubs, such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes (President), Honor Society & Biology Club & other activities such as Band & Student Council. He was also a Morehead Scholar candidate.

From 1974 to 1978, Dr. Rennick attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During the summer, after his freshman year in college he worked as a door-to-door encyclopedia book salesman in Houston, Texas after receiving one week of training in Nashville, Tennessee. While in college, he participated in intramural track (winner of the 100-yard dash) & basketball (first place team & also played on the Junior Varsity Baseball team. He was on the Dean’s list for academic performance on several occasions & continued his work with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes & also worked as a mentor in the Big Brothers program. He was the leader of the Instrumental Ensemble of the United Christian Fellowship & also worked with others in the Bread of Life Ministry, which provided worship for several surrounding churches in the Chapel Hill NC area.

During the summer of 1978, after undergraduate college & before attending medical school at the University of North Carolina, Dr. Rennick participated in a program by the name of “The Medical Education Development Program” which prepares students for medical school. He subsequently became a teaching assistant in the program as well as going on recruiting trips for pre-med students. Between 1978 to 1982, he attended the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. During this time, he continued his work with United Christian Fellowship & Chapel Hill Team Ministry, as well as Co-Leader of the Christian Medical Society & Student National Medical Association. It was during this time in the United Christian Fellowship, that he was introduced by her sister, to Miss Millicent Harris & they were married on May 10, 1980.

After medical school & between 1982 to 1985, Dr. Rennick continued his post-graduate training as a medical intern & resident at Charlotte Memorial Hospital (which became Carolina’s Medical Center & now Atrium Health) in the Family Medicine Residency program. He was accepted on the program of six individuals, along with one other black applicant, which was the first time in history, when two African-Americans were admitted at the same time. Dr. & Mrs. Rennicks’s first daughter was born in 1982.

After completing his residency training in 1985, Dr. Rennick worked for the National Health Services Corps (which had financed his medical school training). He lived in Henderson, North Carolina & was assigned to the Vance-Warren Health Plan in Soul City, North Carolina from 1985 to 1989, where he worked as the Assistant Medical Director & clinician, providing health care to primarily Warren County residents. It was during this time, that their twin daughters, Lauren & Lindsey were born.

After completing his assignment with the National Health Service Corps, Dr. & Mrs. Rennick, along with their 3 daughters, moved back to Charlotte NC. He began his career in Charlotte Kaiser Permanente, whereas one of his mentors from his residency program had recommended. He worked at Kaiser Permanente from 1989 to 1999 & gradually served in more administrative, than direct clinical care roles. He was the physician-in-charge of the Northwest Medical Office from 1989 to 1995. He was the physician-in-charge Gaston Medical Office & the Northeast Medical Office from 1994 to 1997 & Southpark (interim) in 1995 & then he became the physician-in-charge of operations in March of 1997. Then, he became the Area Medical Director from June of 1997 until November of 1999, with over 60 physicians reporting to him.

Dr. Rennicks career with Kaiser Permanente included attendance of several Medicine & Management programs during the time period of 1991 to 1995. He attended & received training from the Kaiser Permanente Executive Program at Stanford Business School between 1993 to 1995. Dr. Rennick served as President of the Mecklenburg County Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians in 1992. He volunteered as a physician for the Charlotte Community Health Clinic, as well as served on the Board of Directors for several years. Dr. Rennick received an Outstanding Physician Award in 1992. He gave the commencement address at Anson Senior High School in June of 1997.

In January of 2000, Dr. Rennick began his 23-year career with UnitedHealthcare. His first role was Medical Director for North & South Carolina, which he performed from 2000 to 2015. He, then worked as Key Accounts Senior Medical Director from August 2015 until March of 2016, when he became National Accounts Senior Medical Director & Vice-President of Health Care Strategies until his retirement in August of 2023.

Dr. Rennick is officially retired & lives in Charlotte NC with his wife. He is blessed to have three daughters & their spouses & six grandchildren, all living in the Charlotte area & all of whom he thoroughly enjoys their company.

Dr. & Mrs. Rennick attends Central Church of God in Charlotte & is blessed to play golf with the pastor (Rev. Loran Livingston) & his brother (Dennis Livingston) who are both from Wadesboro.

Dr. & Mrs. Rennick have been blessed to travel to many wonderful & beautiful places such as Hawaii & Paris. He has been blessed to play on several iconic golf courses, such as Quail Hollow, Sawgrass & Kapalua. While he is not that great of a golfer, he has been blessed with four holes in one.

When Dr. John H. Rennick compiled this tribute on January 22, 2026, he was scheduled to go to Belgium to participate in a game show.
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10/08/2026

Built in 1890 by Mary D. Hearn, the three-story building was originally known as the Anson Hotel. In 1893, it was sold at auction and purchased by a group of investors, including J.D. Mills, who later became the sole owner and renamed it the National Hotel.

The Mills family operated the hotel for many years, and it became well known for its good food, especially when Mrs. Emma Mills was in charge. The hotel saw some of its busiest days during the 1941–42 Army maneuvers, when buses regularly stopped in front of the hotel.

After the Mills family, Vic Davis and his wife Mattie managed the hotel and coffee shop. The National Hotel was later sold to D.B. Goodman and was destroyed by fire in 1958.

Check out this preserved National Hotel Bar that is apart of the history preserved by the Anson County Historical Society.
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10/07/2026

Did you know that before Anson County Schools fully integrated in 1968, the county implemented a “Freedom of Choice” plan in 1966?

One of the incredible pieces of local history we have on display is this 1966 integrated basketball team photograph, showcasing an important moment in the history of education and our community.

You can see this photograph and learn more about Wadesboro High School’s history in our Wadesboro High School Museum, located inside the Leavitt House.

Interested in learning more about Anson County’s history? Give our office a call and plan your visit!
☎️ 704-694-6694
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Address

206 East Wade Street
Wadesboro, NC
28170

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