Museum Exhibits

At MHCH, our intent is to share the rich history of Haywood County, NC through artifacts, books, and stories. Each room in the museum has a different theme for visitors to learn about and experience the culture and lives which created and have sustained this mountain community. Each room will have various exhibits which relate to the theme of the room and share a bit of Haywood County history. The themed rooms visitor will explore are:

Haywood County

This room is dedicated to the beginnings of Haywood County. Information will be shared of how the county was formed and grew to what it is today. This include books, photos, and articles which help to share our story. Also in this room is information about partner organizations in the county as well as items for sale to help support MHCH.

Town of Clyde

This room is dedicated to the Town of Clyde where the house is located. In it, visitors will see artifacts relating to Clyde’s history and view photos, books, and articles of stories relating to Clyde’s past.

Shook Family Archives

This room is dedicated to the original family of the house. There are Shook family photos and artifacts for visitors to view as well as stories which will be shared during the tour.

Smathers Family Archives

This room is dedicated to the last family of the house. There are Smathers family photos and artifacts for visitors to view as well as stories which will be shared during the tour.

Haywood County Industry

This room is dedicated to the various industries which helped to created this mountain community. In it are historic photos, artifacts, and information to help visitors understand what it took to build and sustain Haywood County through the decades.

Military

This room is dedicated to the soldiers who fought for our country who were from Haywood County as well as the wars which American was involved in during the time of Haywood County’s history.

Sewing and Crafting

This room is dedicated to the women crafters of the this mountain community. Traditionally, women took care of the family and home while the men worked or fought for our country. In this room, visitors will see the items which these women produced for their families as well as learn how they produced the items.

Haywood Communities

This room is dedicated to the various communities which make up Haywood County. Each community shared in making the county what it is today. This room shares the stories and information which is specific to each of these communities.

The Chapel

The chapel is dedicated to early Methodism in Haywood County as well as the rich mountain tradition of Shape Note singing.


Below are artifacts MHCH would like to highlight from the Shook family and Smathers family:

Shook-Smathers House Organ Exhibit

A Shook Family Pump Organ is now on display in the Shook-Smathers House thanks to the generosity of Judy Penland McCracken and her husband Alan G. McCracken. The organ had been in Judy’s family for more than 150 years. In 1849, Jacob Shook’s granddaughter, Emily, married George Newton Penland. The couple bought the home place and farm from the other Shook heirs and acquired the organ in the 1850s.

After George and Emily’s son, Rufus Long Penland married Callie Hampton Redmon, they inherited the house and organ. Later, their son James Rufus Penland and his wife Jewell Wood inherited the organ. Upon their deaths, their daughter Judy Penland McCracken and her husband Alan G. McCracken inherited the organ. Judy and Alan donated the organ and its original music book to the Haywood County Historical and Genealogical Society in 2016.


Granny Shook's Platter Comes Home to the Shook-Smathers HouseShook descendant Rilla Griffin presented an antique platter to the Haywood County Historical and Genealogical Society in 2016. The painted platter had been handed down from mother to daughter through each generation over the past 200 years. It is believed that Isabella Shook began the tradition by giving the platter to her daughter Margaret in 1818. Rilla’s family had always referred to it as “Granny Shook’s Platter.” The platter is on display in the Museum at Shook-Smathers House. The Haywood County Historical and Genealogical Society appreciates Rilla’s thoughtfulness in allowing this Shook family treasure to be shared with Museum visitors (including many Shook descendants).