Matthews Heritage Museum

"Matthews Heritage Museum provides educational and engaging interactive experiences for all ages. The museum strives to nurture a healthy respect for the forward thinking of the early settlers and help guests reflect on the business environment, lifestyles and cultures of those early Matthews townspeople."

Currently on Display

"Go Fly a Kite"

The Matthews Heritage Museum’s newest exhibit “Go Fly a Kite” will open on March 20, 2014, the first day of spring. The exhibit will feature a variety of miniature kites, most of which were made by Jim Martin, a noted kite flyer and maker.

Read more about the kite exhibit.

Gift Ideas
Are you looking for the perfect little gift for a grandchild or friend? The Museum Store has wonderful old fashioned wooden tops handmade in North Carolina. We also have the Matthews Remembered DVD, the Matthews Memories Cookbook, small candles and soaps. Perfect stocking stuffers, if you’re thinking holidays.

Magazine Feature

Look for the Matthews Heritage Museum to be featured in the April 2014 issue of Matthews Monthly magazine.

Newsletter Available

Pick up a free copy of Foundations, the Matthews Historical Foundation newsletter, at the museum.

Paula Lester, President of the Matthews Historical Foundation, received a Special Recognition Award from the North Carolina Museum Council on March 24, 2014. This award is given to those affiliated with a museum in North Carolina who have demonstrated significant interest and support in the programs, goals, and policies or made significant contributions of time, money, or ideas to a museum in the state.

Paula was given this award for her work in preserving the town’s history and specifically for her leadership role in developing the new Matthews Heritage Museum, which opened in June, 2013. On October 28th, 2013, the town recognized her ongoing efforts in preserving the history of Matthews by presenting her with the key to the city and the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award from the Governor.

Photo Courtesy of Town of Matthews

Paula Lester was honored for her work preserving the history of the Town of Matthews by the Matthews Town Council. She was presented with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state's highest honor, and the keys to the Town of Matthews. Paula is the current president of the Matthews Historical Foundation, author of two books on the history of Matthews, recipient of the Nancy Glenn Community Service Award, past member of the Matthews Town Council, and currently serves on the Mecklenburg County Historic Landmarks Commission. Paula moved to Matthews in 1994 and is passionate about her work in local history. She has led the way to turn the Massey-Clark house into the current Matthews Heritage Museum as well as renovating the Historic Matthews Reid House. To learn more about her work and the Matthews Historical Foundation check out the Town Newsletter and www.matthewshistoricalfoundation.org.

The Matthews Heritage Museum is open Thursday – Saturday from 10 – 4:30. Guided tours are available to the visiting public. Schools can schedule a guided tour by calling 704-708-4996. Admission is $4 per person, $2 for young people 11-17, children 10 and under are free. Parking is available on the street and behind the museum.

Barbara Taylor, Director, Matthews Heritage Museum, Matthews Alive Parade August 2013

Jane Clark, Suzanne Gulley, Nancy Troutman

The Massey-Clark House was built c1880 by Dr. Henry V. Massey, a physician and Civil War veteran. Jane’s grandparents purchased the home from the Massey family in 1925.

On a pretty August day, Jane Clark stopped by to see the Museum and visit with Nancy Troutman and Nancy’s sister Suzanne Gulley. Nancy and Jane were best friends growing up, both graduating the same year from East Meck. Jane grew up in the Massey-Clark House, moving there with her family to live with her grandmother Susie when she was 5. At that time, Susie had one side of the house and Jane’s family occupied the other. Although both families had their own kitchens at the back of the house, everyone ate together in Susie’s kitchen. Jane’s brother Oliver died at 14. When Jane’s parents died in 1976, Jane, who had moved from the area, made the home available to the Town of Matthews in 1977.

After Jane’s visit, she emailed a note “I had a great time visiting the new Matthews Heritage Museum. I so appreciate all that you and the folks in Matthews have done to ‘love’ my home and make it into something that captures the history of the town. I am sure my grandmother and parents would be so happy to see what has been done. Thank you.”