Banner House Museum

06/06/2026

ADMISSION IS FREE TODAY, June 6th, the opening day of the Banner House Museum for 2026! Please plan to stop by and see what's new. We are continuing to collect stories for the Avery County/Helene Oral History Project done in collaboration with other local historical organizations and Appalachian State University. All historical stories are welcome.
https://bannerhousemuseum.org/oral-history-project/

06/01/2026

ADMISSION WILL BE FREE ON OPENING DAY, this Saturday, June 6th, at the Banner House Museum for 2026! Hours are 11 to 3 with the last house tour at 2:30. Please plan to stop by and see what's new. We are continuing to collect stories for the Avery County/Helene Oral History Project done in collaboration with other local historical organizations and Appalachian State University. All historical stories are welcome.
https://bannerhousemuseum.org/oral-history-project/

02/01/2026

Thank you to Mark File for this wonderful winter photo of the Banner House Museum!

11/11/2025

Banner Elk has had its first snow of the season and Mark File has generously shared with us this beautiful photograph of the museum with both fall and winter colors. Thank you, Mark!

09/16/2025

Closing day at the Banner House Museum for the 2025 Season is this FRIDAY, September 19th. While we normally close on Saturday, we expect that there will be a lot happening in town Saturday for Lees-McRae College's Homecoming and Family Day. So, come see us Friday! Free admission on closing day.

06/07/2025

ADMISSION IS FREE TODAY, June 7th, the opening day of the Banner House Museum for 2025! Please plan to stop by and see what's new. Our collection is ever-growing and expanding. Be sure to also visit our website (link below) to learn about the new Tropical Storm Helene Oral History Project done in collaboration with other local historical organizations and Appalachian State University. Sign up to contribute your story if you were here through the event!

https://bannerhousemuseum.org/oral-history-project/

05/20/2025

The Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation is excited to announce the opening day of the Banner House Museum is Saturday, June 7, 2025! Admission is free on opening day, so please plan to stop by and see what's new. Our collection is ever-growing and expanding. Be sure to also visit our website (link below) to learn about the new Tropical Storm Helene Oral History Project done in collaboration with other local historical organizations and Appalachian State University. Sign up to contribute your story if you were here through the event!

https://bannerhousemuseum.org/oral-history-project/

10/21/2024

Y'all are amazing! You keep asking "What do you need?" The BE Resource Center in the Historic School has provided groceries and all sorts of household goods to thousands, and we are still overflowing with donations. Two current needs:
- Flat shovels from cleaning out debris
- Heavy Duty Builder's Bag 200-Gallons for volunteers to sort and store surplus items for this winter.
Drop off at the Historic School, 10-6. Or ship to Town of Banner Elk, attn Chuck Saunders, 200 Park Avenue, Banner Elk, NC 28604
Go to our Help page www.bannerelk.com/help/ for two great options for financial contributions.

10/21/2024

10/21/2024

Mountain Ways opens relief applications today for homeowners or renters with 100% total loss of primary residence. This nonprofit in Gatlinburg provides immediate assistance to the victims of Helene flooding. Supporters include Dolly Parton / Dollywood Foundation. They help individuals or families with a total loss in one of the designated counties (includes Avery, Mitchell & Watauga). Relief and Recovery Application closes November 4. Apply here: https://mtnways.org/get-relief/

The Mountain Ways Foundation was founded in 2023 to share the hospitality of the Appalachian region to those who are suffering from natural disasters. It was inspired, in part, by Dolly Parton’s exceptional leadership during the 2016 Great Smoky Mountain wildfires.

Donations to Mountain Ways are going directly to those in need in our community. 100% of donations are going to Helene victims throughout East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, and through the Appalachian region. Support will include distributing food and water and to assist in the long-term recovery effort for our community.