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Emporium: short-term solution for cultural museum |
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Thursday, 01 March 2007 |
by HEATHER SANDERS
News Reporter
The Appalachian Cultural Museum’s fate is still uncertain after almost a year without a home, but it has found a temporary solution in the Wilcox Emporium Warehouse.
Dr. Chuck A. Watkins said Roger Wright, co-owner of the emporium, provided a space for a museum exhibit.
Watkins said the agreement is that the museum will have a space in the
emporium as long as is necessary but said the arrangement is not
permanent.
“We’re always looking for something in town to meet our teaching
needs,” Watkins said. “[The display] will be there for several years.”
Students in the public history program’s exhibit design class are working on a display for the space.
Watkins said the first part of the project is designed to show what is
in the museum’s collection, as well as why a new museum is needed.
The second part is a gift shop to include books on the area and local crafts.
The third section is a rotating exhibit, Watkins said.
Students in the class are working on a history of ginseng and its importance since ginseng grows in the Appalachian region.
The museum hoped to have a teaching annex in the proposed Kraut Creek Development, which fell through last semester.
Developer J. Douglas Gale said he is working on finding a new location
for a mixed-use development in Boone, though he is unsure of what the
final plans will entail.
“[The emporium] replaces that [Kraut Creek] project to give students a
short-term chance to be part of museum development and design,” Watkins
said.
Meanwhile, he said he is still searching for funding to build a permanent museum.
Watkins said he already has 25 percent of the funding for planning, and
the architect is trying to redevelop the plans to start the work sooner.
The museum still plans to engage in a partnership with the Town of Boone and build at Horn in the West.
Jason C. Gardner, master’s candidate for public history, is working on a history of Horn in the West.
He said the land was originally owned by James and Carrie Winkler, who
leased the land to the Southern Appalachian Historical Association June
29, 1957. The Town of Boone bought the land when the lease ran out.
Gardner said part of the stipulations on the deed is the land must be used for the betterment of the town and community.
According to the deed, the property is “sold and conveyed for the use …
for public purposes only, including park, recreation, education and
historical use and any public roads and streets.”
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