The History Museum of Burke County

08/14/2026

☕ August Coffee at the Museum — Follow‑Up Reminder

We’re looking forward to welcoming you to our August Coffee at the Museum on Thursday, August 27th at 10:00 AM in the Claude & Jo Sitton Education Center, located at 203 W. Meeting Street in Morganton.

This month’s program shines a light on the restoration of the Rock Hill A.M.E. Cemetery, an effort that reflects far more than the history of a single site. Some of our speakers: Jason Harpe of Richard Grubb and Associates, Allen Fullwood, descendant and museum board member, and Nora Coffey, Lake James State Park Ranger, and others, —will share insights into how communities can preserve sacred spaces and honor the stories held within them.

Attendees will learn practical preservation strategies that can be applied to historic cemeteries, churches, family burial grounds, and heritage sites throughout our region. You’ll also discover how partnerships between descendants, nonprofits, public agencies, volunteers, and preservation professionals can safeguard irreplaceable cultural resources for future generations.

Join us for meaningful conversation, shared learning, and a deeper appreciation of the places that connect us to our past. Admission is free.

Burke County Chamber of Commerce Burke County, NC Genealogy Burke County Public Library Discover Burke County Downtown Morganton, North Carolina Grace Ridge Grow with Drexel Town of Glen Alpine Town of Hildebran Town of Valdese The Paper Media Morganton News Herald | morganton.com

08/12/2026

This past week we had the pleasure of attending the Waldensian Heritage Museum's ribbon cutting for their new exhibit! We greatly enjoyed this experience, and we are always looking to support our fellow museums! A notable addition that stood out to us was the 'free smells' 😂 You'll love to check out the Waldensian Heritage museum (Waldensian Heritage Museum)and enjoy their scent-immersive experience! ゚viralシfypシ゚viralシalシ Discover Burke CountyBurke County Chamber of CommerceTown of Valdese

07/31/2026

Join us for Coffee at the Museum on Thursday, August 27 at 10:00 AM as we shine a light on one of Burke County’s most meaningful preservation efforts.

Unearthing History, Preserving Legacy: The Community-Led Restoration of Rock Hill A.M.E. Cemetery
Nestled within Lake James State Park, Rock Hill A.M.E. Cemetery holds generations of stories from the historic African American community of Fonta Flora. Learn how descendants, preservation professionals, nonprofits, and volunteers are working together to identify unmarked burials, protect fragile grave markers, and honor the lives woven into this sacred landscape.

Whether you’re a historian, genealogist, cemetery steward, or simply someone who cares about preserving community heritage, this program will leave you inspired and equipped with practical strategies for safeguarding historic sites.

📍 History Museum of Burke County
201 W. Meeting Street, Morganton- Admission is free.
☕ Free coffee, meaningful conversation, and a powerful look at community-driven preservation.
Burke County Chamber of Commerce Burke County Public Library Discover Burke County Downtown Morganton, North Carolina Grace Ridge Town of Hildebran Town of Valdese Town of Glen Alpine Grow with Drexel The Paper Media Morganton News Herald | morganton.com

07/21/2026

07/16/2026

Here is our official flyer for our Coffee at the Museum for this month! We have a special event for this months coffee to celebrate America 250! The date, time and location are listed here! The event will start at the Claude and Jo Sitton Education Center below the Museum, and will continue later back up at the Museum. Parking is available at both locations

07/15/2026

Don't forget to mark your calendars for next Thursday, July 23rd at 10:00 AM to come and join our NC 250 celebration!
History expert Bill Brown will tell us about life in Burke County during the Revolutionary War and we will have music and food samples from that period- as well as re-enactors in the museum to talk about our exhibits! Admission is free!

Discover Burke County Burke County Public Library Burke County Chamber of Commerce Grace Ridge Town of Valdese Town of Hildebran Town of Glen Alpine

07/08/2026

☕ Coffee, History & Community – All in One Morning!

Join us at the History Museum of Burke County for a special Coffee at the Museum on Thursday, July 23rd at 10:00 AM in the Education Center.

Our guest speaker, Board Member Bill Brown, will share fascinating stories about Burke County’s role in the American Revolution and what life was like here during that time.

✨ What’s in store:
Revolutionary War re-enactors bringing history to life
Live music to set the colonial mood
Colonial food samples for you to taste
A warm, welcoming community atmosphere

📍 Where: History Museum of Burke County – Education Center, 201 West Meeting Street, Morganton

📅 When: Thursday, July 23rd | 10:00 AM
Admission is free.

Come sip coffee, savor history, and celebrate our heritage together!

@ Discover Burke County Grace Ridge Downtown Morganton, North Carolina Burke County Public Library Burke County Chamber of Commerce Town of Valdese Grow with Drexel Town of Hildebran The Paper Media Morganton News Herald | morganton.com