An Afternoon of Christmas Music and shared stories of Christmas in the Past, from. local people .

Featuring both original songs and Christmas favorites .

PCHA NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM ON NOVEMBER

On Thursday, November 21stthe Polk County Historical Museum is going to be open for citizens young and old to see what our local museum has to offer. Featured during the night will be characters from our past walking around the facility in period clothing. The event will be held from 5pm to 7pm at the museum on 60 Walker Street.

"We are looking forward to sponsoring our Night At The Museum event again this year," said Pat McCool, President of the Historical Association. "In the past we heard from people that they often can not attend our daytime programs because they work. So we are offering this nighttime activity."

Plans are still being formalized but reenactors will be on hand but we understand Bettie Simms Columbus Mills, Helen Stearns, Mary Hughes, Zelda Fitzgerald will be a few of the characters who will be in period clothing. There is no cost to attend this event and the public is encouraged to attend. The museum is located at 60 Walker Street in downtown Columbus.

Our annual veterans program

Celebrate Veterens day week / a proram dedicated to veterans

POLK  COUNTY  ARCHITECTURAL  SURVEY  SUBJECT  OF  AUGUST  PCHA  PROGRAM

(Photo)

The Polk County Historical Association is sponsoring a special program on the new architectural survey of Polk County to be performed. The featured speakers will be Elizabeth King and Kelly Molloy with the State Historic Preservation Office. Molloy will be the lead investigator for the Polk County survey.

The program is planned for Tuesday, August 13th at 2pm inside the historical museum in downtown Columbus. They will discuss the scope of the survey and what they ultimately hope to get accomplished. At the end of their presentation they will ask the audience for any potential survey suggestions. Please come prepared to share your favorite historic buildings!

"Our efforts to complete the Polk County survey have gone a little slower than planned," said Elizabeth King. "We are very excited about having Kelly Molloy in charge of the Polk County project. Kelly is currently finishing the review of two surveys, one in Montgomery County and a second in McDowell County. Our plan is for her to begin the Polk County survey shortly after the completion of those two projects."

The new architectural survey is being funded by the Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Parks Service following the flooding disaster from Hurricane Florence in 2018. 

The public is invited to attend at no cost. The museum is located at 60 Walker Street in Columbus. 

MUSEUM OPEN 10-3PM ON INDEPENDANCE DAY during Columbus’ Fabulous 4th Celebration

FREE ADDMISSION

The History of the Collinsville Community

Long time apple growers, the Atkins family gives a breakdown of Apple farming in the Saluda area

The PCHA program for April 9th will dive into the rich history of Saluda’s earliest apple orchards. During the early 20 th Century, Polk County became known as a premier location for growing some of the most flavorful fruit in the US. Two featured speakers grew up on the same apple orchard in Saluda, yet a generation apart. They will share their stories, one, a great storyteller with a wealth of local history to share and the other, an avid researcher. Both speakers share a love of history, a love of apples, and DNA. The scheduled speakers are Lee Atkins, and his daughter, Robin Atkins Wierzbicki.

Did you know that Saluda was home to the first Apple Festival in North Carolina? It’s true!
Apples became an integral part of life in Saluda in the early 1900s. Some of the first large orchards were considered a “Show Place” due to the natural beauty, bountiful fruit, and well managed properties. In April, hundreds would flock to Overbrook Orchard, the first commercial orchard planted in Saluda, just to see the beauty of the apple trees in full bloom. While many of the early orchards are now only a memory, their legacy will continue. Come learn about the history of apples in Polk County. The program will cover a brief history of the apple orchards in Saluda as well as stories from the guest speakers.

The program will be Tuesday, April 9th at 2pm inside the Polk County Historical Museum. The museum is located in downtown Columbus at 60 Walker Street. The program is free of charge and the public is encouraged to attend.

Photo Caption: Overbrook Orchard in 1920 when owned by Henry P. Corwith, photograph taken by renowned photographer, George Masa, of Plateau Studios.

This month's Historical Association's program is asking for audience participation. The history lovers want you to bring in your favorite family heirloom, historic photo or interesting item from the past.

"We did a similar program several years ago and it was extremely popular," said James Metcalf, chief docent for the museum. "With our rich Polk County history, we are always pleasantly surprised at what local folks bring in for their "show and tell".

The March program will be on Tuesday, March 12th at 2pm. As with all of their monthly programs the public is invited. It will be held inside the Polk County Museum. Please do not forget to bring a historic item to the event. There is free admission. The museum is located in downtown Columbus at 60 Walker Street.    

The Polk County Historical Association is pleased to kick off its 2024 program series with a special presentation by nationally known historian Bruce Johnson. On Saturday, January 27th at 1pm, Johnson will be giving a slide program on two young women, Eleanor Vance and Charlotte Yale and their impact on the local and regional handicraft industry in the early 1900's. 

In 1901 Vance and Yale stepped off the train in Biltmore Village and into a new chapter of their lives. Their journey led to the formation of two well known Arts and Crafts cottage industries, Biltmore Industries and Tryon Toymakers and Wood Carvers. Presenter Johnson has spent more than ten years researching the lives of these two innovative and talented women who caught the attention of the first lady of the Biltmore Estate, Editth Vanderbilt.

This January program should be an eye opening presentation for local citizens who have heard about the Tryon Toymakers but may not know the story of Eleanor Vance and Charlotte Yale and their arrival in Polk County in 1915.

Historian Bruce Johnson is an author, founder of the annual National Arts and Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn and serves as vice-president of the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County. He is also the recipient of the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award.

This Saturday presentation will be held inside the Polk County Historical Museum at 60 Walker Street in downtown Columbus. As always the public is encouraged to attend and there is no cost to attend,

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES AND MUSIC

The Polk county Historical museum's annual '',Christmas music and memories ''program will be held Tuesday December 12th at 2pm at the Polk historical Museum 

the program features live music on banjo ,dulcimer ,mandolin guitar etc. ,plus special Christmas memories of growing up in Polk county NC.

The program will be moderated by James Metcalf and will feature REV Jesse Yarboro, Jim and Elizabeth Metcalf ,briar and James McDowell and other guests.

   Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend and will receive a special gift for coming .

our gift shop will be open for Christmas shopping at the time ,and they will also be receiving membership applications 

pictured :railroad employees and families  enjoy a Christmas party in downtown Saluda

On Thursday, November 30th the Polk County Historical Museum is going to be open for citizens young and old to see what our local museum has to offer. Featured during the night will be characters from our past walking around the facility in period clothing. The event will be held from 5pm to 7pm at the museum on 60 Walker Street. 

"We are looking forward to sponsoring our Night At The Museum event again this year," said Pat McCool, President of the Historical Association. "In the past we heard from people that they often can not attend our daytime programs because they work. So we are offering this nighttime activity."

Plans are still being formalized but reenactors will be on hand including the volunteers of the Overmountain Men for the nighttime museum opening. There is no cost to attend this event and the public is encouraged to attend. The museum is located at 60 Walker Street in downtown Columbus.

Join us and a panel of Polk Veterans as we discuss their military experiences

Tryon school celebrates 100 years ,a special visit with former Coaches and others from the past

moderated by Tryon Alumni and Coach Pat Mccool

SCHOOL  DAYS  AT  SALUDA  SCHOOL  PCHA  PROGRAM  FOR  SEPTEMBER


The Polk County Historical Association is pleased to announce the topic for September's monthly program. School days at the Saluda School is the topic for the monthly presentation on Tuesday, September 12th at 2pm. The event will feature a panel of Saluda School alumni who will share their experiences in school.

Saluda native James Metcalf will be the moderator for the program. In addition to the stories from the Saluda graduates, a brief history of the Saluda School and the one room schoolhouse that once served students from Saluda.

The PCHA programs are held each month in the local history museum at 60 Walker Street in downtown Columbus. The public is invited to attend and there is no cost for the program.

THOSE  WERE  THE  DAYS  --  POLK  CENTRAL'S  FIRST  GRADUATING  CLASS 

This month's Polk County Historical Association program will feature graduates from Polk Central High School's class of 1960. The program should be a spirited affair with a panel of folks including Judy Arledge, Brenda Bean, Flloyd Foy and Jeanette Rickman. They will discuss their adventures of attending a larger, brand new high school with students from Columbus, Green Creek, Mill Spring, Pea Ridge and Sunny View. Hear from members of the very first graduating class. 

The monthly historical program will be held Tuesday, August 8th at 2pm inside the Polk County Museum. The museum is located at 60 Walker Street in downtown Columbus. As always the public is invited to attend and there is no charge for the program.

Polk County Historical Society
July 11, 2023 meeting at 2pm at PCHA Museum 
Penny Summey, Regent, Abraham Kuykendall NSDAR Chapter, Flat Rock, N.C.

Topic: Getting to Know the Daughters of the American Revolution
Exploring the possibility of a chapter in Polk County

The Daughters of the American Revolution was founded October, 11, 1890 and
incorporated in 1896 by an Act of Congress. Our mission is to promote historic
preservation, education and patriotism. Our motto is God, Home and Country.
We have 3,000 chapters in all 50 states and around the world. Any woman 18
years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove
lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible.
In 1779 Rutherford County was created from Tryon County. In 1855, Polk
County was created from Henderson (previously Buncombe) and Rutherford
(previously Tryon County). It was named after American Revolutionary Col.
William Polk. This area was home to many patriots of the American Revolution
including Abraham Kuykendall and John Earle.
If there is interest in forming a chapter in Polk County, this can happen by the
selection and confirmation of an organizing regent at the request o the State
Regent. An Organized chapter must have 12 members who live in a geographic
area. The organizing regent must be a member-at-large. Following her
appointment by the State Regent, she has one year to organize the chapter.
Procedures for organization must be carefully followed by instruction from the
Office of the Organizing Secretary General at the National level.
DAR members who are active with chapters in surrounding areas or other states
can transfer their membership to the Organizing Chapter.

--

Pat McCool

Discussions from former students and others about attending Stearnes school in Columbus.

The Polk County Historical Association is excited to offer a rare Saturday morning program for its June 17th program. In keeping with an educational theme, this program will be about Stearns School when hundreds of local students walked through its halls. The program will be from 10:30am to 12 noon inside the Polk County Historical museum.

Featured speakers will be Kathleen Mcillian, Margaret McFarland Clark plus other former students. They will serve on a panel and allow for interaction with the audience present. 

"We are very pleased at how well the educational series of programs have been received with the public," said Becky Hudson, Vice President and Program Chair for the historical association. "Our panel will give people a good opportunity to learn all about their school life at Stearns School."

Stearns School was constructed in 1917 and funded by Ohio industrialist Frank Stearns. It was used as a school until the early 1990's and today serves as the administrative headquarters for the Polk County School System.

The museum is located in downtown Columbus at 60 Walker Street. The program is Saturday, June 17th beginning at 10:30am. There is no charge to attend the presentation.

TWO  PCHA  PROGRAMS  PLANNED  FOR  MAY 

The Polk County Historical Association is sponsoring not one but two educational programs during the month of May. The first presentation is scheduled on May 9th at 2pm inside the Womack Building in downtown Columbus. It will be a continuation or part two of PCHA's program on the Black Schools of Polk County.

The schools discussed will be Cobb, Green Creek and Melvin Hill. Part of the discussion will be on the topic of Rosenwald Schools and what they were? A special video presentation by Alphia Little Wills and Mae Carolyn Jackson will be part of the program. There will be an in-person presentation by Lucille Staley Smith during the program.

The educational program will begin at 2pm in the Womack Building at 40 Courthouse Street on May 9th. The public is encouraged to attend.

The second program will be held on May 23rd also at 2pm. The topic will be the 1957 state champion basketball team from Embury School in Tryon. Embury High was a school for African Americans in the Eastside Community.

This presentation will also be held inside the Womack Building at 2pm in the second floor courtroom. Both programs are free of charge and residents are encouraged to attend.

LOTS OF ITEMS FOR SALE INDOOR YARD SALE GREAT PRICES -TO DONATE ITEMS BRING THEM BY ON FRIDAY MARCH 30 ONLY

GROWING  UP  IN  GREEN  CREEK  TOPIC  FOR  THE  PCHA  MARCH  PROGRAM

This month's history presentation is another in the series of growing up in Polk County. The March program will feature what it was like to grow up in the Green Creek Community. Participants Millie Woodward, Dot York and Imogene Burns will share what life was like in Polk County's most eastern community.

The speakers will talk about attending and graduating from Green Creek School. Prior to 1960 there were six high schools in the county. This March 14h program will feature stories about the student life and learning at Green Creek High School. 

This activity will be held inside the Polk County Historical Museum in downtown Columbus. It is located at 60 Walker Street. The public is invited and there is no cost to attend. The March 14th presentation will begin at 2pm.

OUR MUSEUM WILL BE CLOSED IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY -due to new exhibits and renovations -come visit our newly improved museum in February

Our annual Christmas music and Memories Dec 13th 2pm everyone is invited

The Polk County Historical Association's program for November is on the road. On Thursday, November 10th at 2pm there will be a special program held at the Green River Plantation gatehouse. The topic of the program is the history of the plantation house and grounds.

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Although it is located in Polk County the Green River Plantation house is located at 6333 Cox Road, Rutherfordton, NC. The program will start promptly at 2pm inside the gatehouse. There is no cost to attend but space is limited to around 100 participants.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn about one of Polk County's oldest private residences.

On Saturday, November 5th at 10 am folks can learn about art displayed at the Polk County History Museum in Columbus. The Polk County Historical Association possesses one of the best collections in the Carolinas of works by historic local artists, and by professionals who visited and painted scenes of the county.

Mike McCue, volunteer art advisor at PCHA and author of several publications about local historic artists, will show and tell what’s on exhibit, and discuss the lives of people who created the artworks. The high quality of much of the museum’s art was a result of the area’s fine climate and scenery, which attracted professional artists from near and far. In the early 1900s there was even an “atelier” that trained artists, run by George Aid who had studied in France.

Other famous county residents were Homer Ellertson who had trained in New York, painter Elisabeth Oliver who had been curator at the High Museum in Atlanta, and locally-born painter Fred Reich who trained in Cincinnati. Lawrence Mazzanovich, long-time Tryon resident, is considered the most important American Impressionist oil-painter ever to have lived in the South. Numerous other first-rate artists lived here, came to stay for a while or returned seasonally to paint, creating an artists colony of national importance.

Program attendees are cordially invited to bring along any old artworks they possess that depict scenes in Polk County or its people. McCue will advise whether further research is needed, or determine on the spot the identity of the artist. There’s no charge for his counsel, and no charge to attend. The formal program will last one hour, and informal dialogue will continue until noon.

The History Museum is located in downtown Columbus at 60 Walker Street.

Photo Caption: This illustration of the original St Luke's Hospital on Carolina Drive in Tryon was created by artist George Aid (circa 1928). Aid and numerous other local artists will be the topic of the November 5th program at the Polk County Historical Museum.

THIS MONTHS PROGRAM REFLECTS ON THE MEMORIES OF SUNNY VIEW SCHOOL