List of museums in North Carolina facts for kids

This list is all about the awesome museums you can find in North Carolina! Museums are super cool places that collect and take care of interesting stuff like old objects, amazing art, scientific discoveries, or things from history. They then share these collections with everyone so you can learn and explore. Think of them as giant treasure chests filled with stories and wonders!

Explore North Carolina's Museums!

North Carolina has tons of different museums, each with something special to see. Let from history to science, there's a museum for every curious mind!

History and Heritage Museums

Many museums in North Carolina help us understand the past.

• The North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh is a great place to start. It tells the story of the whole state, from its earliest days to now. You can learn about military history, see old decorative items, and even find out about famous North Carolina athletes in the Sports Hall of Fame.
• The International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro shares the important history of the American Civil Rights Movement. It's a powerful place to learn about how people fought for fairness and equality.
• Step back in time at Old Salem Museums & Gardens in Winston-Salem. This is a living history village that shows what life was like in the 1700s and 1800s for the Moravian community. You can see old buildings and even watch people doing crafts from long ago.
• The Museum of the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee teaches you about the rich history and culture of the Cherokee people. It's a fantastic way to learn about Native American heritage.
• At Historic Stagville in Durham, you can visit an 18th-century plantation. It includes the main house, slave cabins, and a farmer's house, helping visitors understand this part of history.
• The Billy Graham Library in Charlotte tells the story of Christian evangelist Billy Graham. You can explore exhibits about his life and work.
• In Mount Airy, the Andy Griffith Museum is a fun spot for fans of the Andy Griffith Show. It has lots of items from the actor Andy Griffith and the famous TV show.
• The Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield celebrates the life of actress Ava Gardner. See costumes, photos, and personal items from her career.

Science and Nature Centers

Get ready to discover the wonders of the natural world and amazing scientific facts!

• Discovery Place in Charlotte is a fantastic science museum with hands-on exhibits that make learning fun. They also have the Charlotte Nature Museum nearby, which focuses on nature and has live animals.
• The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh is huge! You can explore dinosaurs, learn about animals, fish, habitats, and even weather. They have lots of live animals too.
• In Durham, the Museum of Life and Science (formerly North Carolina Museum of Life and Science) offers science and natural history exhibits, often with outdoor areas to explore.
• The Asheville Museum of Science in Asheville is all about Earth science. You can see cool minerals, fossils, and learn about geology and astronomy.
• The Aurora Fossil Museum in Aurora is a must-see for fossil lovers! It displays fossils found in the area, including shark jaws and Native American tools.
• At Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum in Linville, you can learn about the animals, plants, and geology of Grandfather Mountain and the surrounding area.
• The Catawba Science Center in Hickory is another great place for interactive science fun.
• The Ingram Planetarium in Sunset Beach lets you explore the stars and planets with its amazing shows and science exhibits.

Art and Culture Museums

North Carolina's art museums showcase beautiful creations from different times and places.

• The North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh has a huge collection! You can see European paintings, ancient Egyptian art, American art, and even art from Africa and other parts of the world.
• The Mint Museum Randolph and Mint Museum Uptown in Charlotte offer a wide range of art, including ancient American art, ceramics, fashion, and modern art.
• The Asheville Art Museum in Asheville focuses on American art from the 20th and 21st centuries, especially art that tells stories about Western North Carolina's culture.
• The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University in Durham has collections of medieval art, art from the Americas, and modern and contemporary art, with a special focus on art from the African diaspora.
• The Weatherspoon Art Museum in Greensboro, part of University of North Carolina at Greensboro, is known for its modern and contemporary art.
• For unique crafts, check out the Folk Art Center in Asheville. It features Appalachian folk art, crafts, and culture.
• The North Carolina Pottery Center in Seagrove is dedicated to the art of pottery, which is a big part of the area's heritage.

Military and Transportation Museums

Discover planes, trains, and automobiles, and learn about brave soldiers.

• The USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial in Wilmington is a real World War II battleship you can explore!
• The Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville tells the stories of the heroic actions of Airborne and Special Operations forces.
• The North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer is a fantastic place to see old trains, cars, and even airplanes. It's located at a historic railroad shop complex.
• Car enthusiasts will love the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, which celebrates the history and heritage of NASCAR racing.
• The Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte has over 50 aircraft, including a flying Piedmont DC3.
• The North Carolina Aviation Museum in Asheboro has restored aircraft, models, and uniforms.
• At Reed Gold Mine in Midland, you can learn about gold mining and even explore old tunnels! This was the site of the first documented gold discovery in the United States.

Unique and Fun Museums

Some museums are just plain cool and focus on very specific things!

• The Asheville Pinball Museum in Asheville is a dream come true for pinball fans. You can play all sorts of classic pinball machines!
• The Moogseum in Asheville is dedicated to the history and legacy of Bob Moog, who invented the synthesizer.
• The Country Doctor Museum in Bailey shows what rural healthcare was like in the United States a long time ago.
• The C. Grier Beam Truck Museum in Cherryville has a collection of trucks, tractors, and trucking history items.
• The Gourd Museum in Angier displays gourd crafts from all over the world. Yes, gourds!
• The International Lineman's Museum in Shelby tells the story of linemen and the electrical utility industry.
• The Museum of the Alphabet in Waxhaw explores the history of how alphabets and written languages developed around the world.

Defunct museums

Sometimes, museums close their doors. Here are a few that are no longer open:

• Appalachian Cultural Museum, Boone (closed in 2006)
• Charlotte Trolley Museum, Charlotte
• Fayetteville Museum of Art, Fayetteville (closed in 2010)
• Sparta Teapot Museum of Craft and Design, Sparta (closed in 2010)

See also

• Aquariums in North Carolina (category)
• List of museums in the United States
• List of nature centers in North Carolina
• Observatories in North Carolina (category)

Resources

• North Carolina Museums Council
• North Carolina Exploring Cultural Heritage Online - lists and photos of NC museums
• Learn NC