Scheduling a Tour
The Matthews Heritage Museum offers tours to a variety of groups. Programs for school aged children are designed to meet Common Core and Essential Standard Goals for North Carolina.
Discovering our Community
This tour is geared for 2nd and 3rd grade students exploring life at the turn of the century using Matthews and its businesses as an example of life in a rural town. Children will partake in several hands-on experiences to make history come to life. Approximately 45 minutes.
This is Matthews
This tour is given to seniors and civic groups scheduling a group tour. They will learn about the history of Matthews and the citizens who made the town what it is today. Approximately 60 minutes.
Cost
Admission to the Matthews Heritage Museum is now FREE! The Matthews Historical Foundation Board made the decision to waive the entry fee for all visitors to the Museum. This means that everyone can now explore the fascinating exhibits and artifacts at no cost. We look forward to welcoming you to the Museum soon!
Tank Town Teaching Packet
“Tank Town: A Good Place to Live” which ran from February–October 2019. Included in the exhibit were findings on the area once known as Tank Town, now Crestdale, a neighborhood in Matthews. This area was settled by former slaves and freedmen after the Civil War. The exhibit explored the people, their lifestyles, jobs, schools, and community organizations of this neighborhood. Permanent display of some artifacts are now housed in the Museum and Town Hall lobby.
The exhibit brought to life the history of the churches of the area including Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church and the United House of Prayer. Included was information about the “shot-gun school house” and the Matthews Colored School, built with the help of the Rosenwald Foundation. Early residents were highlighted in the jobs they held and the way they lived. This opportunity showed how this community developed, grew, and its hope for the future.
A special teaching unit was developed for 3rd grade classes, which meets curriculum standards. This unit can be downloaded for FREE.
“Passport to History”
The Matthews Heritage Museum in conjunction with the Mecklenburg Historical Association Docents and other historic sites is participating in the publication “Passport to History.” This booklet features approximately 12 historic sites in Mecklenburg County that families are able to explore.
This booklet is aimed toward elementary aged children and their families. Each site has a page in the booklet that asks questions, and a page to provide an activity. A child would answer the questions after a visit to the site and complete the activity. A signature from someone at the site would verify the visit.
When all sites have been visited, and all questions answered, the booklet should be submitted to obtain a patch for the completion of the project. Booklets will be sold at each participating site.
Girl Scouts — Matthews Heritage Museum Patch
To earn the Matthews Heritage Museum patch, Girl Scouts must visit and tour the Museum and complete the required number of activities.
To schedule a tour: Reservations with a minimum of two weeks’ notice are required for the guided tour of the Museum. To arrange a tour, please call 704-708-4996.
Admission fees are: $15.00 per Troop (up to 10 girls, 2 adults) and $25 for larger Troops.
Daisies and Brownies must complete three activities. Juniors must complete five activities. Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors must complete seven activities.
Matthews Heritage Museum 