Dunn Area History Museum

09/05/2026

A look back at The Mary Stewart Community at Dunn Area History Museum

09/05/2026

An important reminder of why supporting local museums matters. Every visit, donation, volunteer hour, and share helps preserve our stories for future generations.

This morning, I read that The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, PA is closing.

You may wonder why this matters to us here in North Carolina.

Let me explain why.

This museum is over 200 years old. It's natural history collection contains more than 18 million biological specimens. There are hundreds of thousands of volumes, journals, illustrations, photographs, and archival items in its library. Thomas Jefferson's fossil collection is housed there. More than 30 species of dinosaurs and other Mesozoic creatures are represented, about half of which are full skeletal mounts.

I could go on and on, citing facts about what it contained there. But the simplest fact is this museum, which has been a cornerstone for so many years, has introduced kids to a multitude of experiences they may not have normally had.

The most shocking thing is that this museum is closing because of financial troubles. In the mid-2000's, it began experiencing financial troubles, most likely because of COVID, and attempts were made to scale back its expenses (through reduced hours, layoffs 🙃).

Nothing has been said about what will happen to the items contained, whether some will be sold to private collections, to other museums, or hidden from the public in storage rooms.

But if this museum can't make it, what's the hope for our local museums?

There's a poster in the Catawba Science Center that shows how much it costs per month in just electricity to run the center and that number is astounding.

That's why I encourage everyone to support their local museums in whatever way they can - through visiting, through donating, through just sharing their events across social media (which is free).

If it can happen to a 200-year-old museum, it can happen to any of our favorite spots, regardless of how large or small that museum is.

So... support them.

Before we lose them.

09/04/2026

Pick up today’s edition of The Daily Record to read “From Pines & Turpentine to Shine & the Finish Line” by Dunn Area History Museum Curator / Museum Coordinator Tara Fotch.
Learn more about Dunn’s connection to the naval stores industry by visiting our turpentine exhibit, featuring tools dating back to the 1850s.

The museum will be open tonight from 7:00–8:30 p.m. Admission is free.

09/03/2026

Can’t make it to the museum during regular hours?
Join us tomorrow for A Night at the Museum. The top floor will be open Friday from 7:00–8:30 p.m. for a special evening visit.
Stop by after dinner & take a stroll through Dunn’s history.

09/01/2026

Another piece of local music history has been added to the museum’s collection!
Phil Parker recently donated two signed copies of this 1982 record by Leizure, featuring “Valerie” and “Williams Lake.”

Parker composed the music and lyrics to “Williams Lake” to celebrate the culture and memories made at the lake. The record was recorded at Daxwood Recording in Fayetteville, N.C.
Thank you to Phil Parker for donating these pieces of local music history!

09/01/2026

Nothing written on this old Dunn, NC photo but I think it's 1950's era. I don't see any Christmas decorations on the train car so maybe another hoilday?

08/31/2026

Men of Distinction, later known as Harry’s Band. Photo from BEACH MUSIC CAFE, colorized by Mitch Harb.