As Waynesville’s historic Shelton House celebrates its 150th anniversary, a crucial part of the home—its museum—is getting an update and a new name. Formerly the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts, the space will now be called the Museum of North Carolina Craft and History, a name says Shelton House board chair Jerry Jackson that reflects “a broader and more contemporary vision for our mission.” In addition, the collection will undergo a comprehensive reinstallation, expanded tour options will become available and the board of directors will look to the future with consideration of the museum’s mission, programming and growth.
On Sunday, April 26, beginning at 4:30 p.m., Shelton House will hold a ticketed anniversary celebration headlined by acclaimed Western North Carolina author Ron Rash. The evening will include a seasonal dinner by Singletree Heritage Kitchen, a look at the newly installed craft and history collections, live music and an initiative allowing attendees to help fund the acquisition of new works by Haywood County artists.
The museum refresh promises visitors a more user-friendly approach to the collection. “In the past, we had lots of items on display,” says Morgan Winstead, the Shelton House managing director. “This was great, but it was a lot for visitors to take in. Our newly curated collections focus more on telling stories, with similar items grouped together. Additionally, we will be incorporating more text into our exhibits so visitors can read more about what they are seeing and how it all relates to the craft traditions and history of our region.”
Convenience and accessibility are also part of the plan. Along with the availability of guided tours, visitors will have the option also for a self-guided walkthrough of the museum…