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The Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation Looks Forward to a Great Season in 2016

The Banner House Museum will mark its tenth season of operation this summer along with the Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation’s most ambitious Calendar of Events yet!

Anchored by the Banner House Museum – the historic green-roofed white farm house standing sentinel at the base of Hickory Nut Gap Road – the Foundation is pleased to share Banner Elk’s rich heritage with vacationers and residents alike. The Museum welcomes guests Wednesday through Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm for guided tours of the Samuel Banner House. Built circa 1865, the Banner House is furnished with heirlooms donated and loaned by area families, giving a glimpse at life in the High Country as it would have been for one of the town’s earliest settlers.

The Museum’s $5 admission includes not only the guided house tour, but also a visit to the exhibition room which will open the season with a new exhibit, “A Century of Life in Banner Elk.” Eight scheduled special events for 2016 offer several different unique Heritage experiences and cater to a variety of audiences:

Saturday, June 11 – Opening Day Event with Children’s Day Activities

The lawn of the Banner House Museum will be buzzing with activity! Children can participate in heritage crafts, games and other activities. Bring a lawn chair to relax and listen to a performance by Foundation friends, Avery JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians). Inside the Banner House, enjoy Open-House style Museum tours. Activities and Tours are free that day as a gift to the public from the Foundation, though donations are greatly appreciated.

Saturday, July 9 – Historic Downtown Banner Elk Walking Tour

Walk along the path of history as you learn about some of Banner Elk’s most prominent Historic Buildings, their roles in the community and the business they house today. You will be surprised what you’ll learn! Back at the Museum, enjoy Open-House style tours and Appalachian music performed by Avery JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians).   Tour tickets are $8 in advance or $10 on the day of the event and include Museum admission. This event is co-sponsored by the Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce.

Saturday, July 23 – Historic Banner Elk Cemetery Tour

Walk amongst the grave sites of many of Banner Elk’s earliest settlers and others who played important roles in shaping the community on a self-guided tour of the Historic Banner Elk Cemetery. To further enrich this unique experience, descendants of several families will be on hand to share their personal memories and family stories. To complement the Tour, the Banner House Museum will be welcome guests in Open-House style. A minimum suggested $5donation is requested for the Cemetery Tour. Regular Museum Admission.

Wednesday, July 27 – Heritage Luncheon

A signature event for the Foundation, an elegant and entertaining luncheon at the Elk River Club will feature local Appalachian Musicians. Keynote speaker Jerry Turbyfill will provide a glimpse of the area’s railroad history. Traditionally an invitation event, please contact the Foundation to be added to the invitation list. (Individual Tickets are $50).

Saturday, August 6 – “Seldom Seen Lees-McRae” Bus Tour

The Foundation’s most coveted event of previous seasons, Lees-McRae buses will chauffeur riders onto Lees-McRae’s campus to view the “Seldom Seen” structures you may have been wondering about-or never knew were there! Back at the Museum, docents will welcome guests in Open-House style. Appalachian music performed by Avery JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians). This is an extremely popular event with limited availability-please call the Foundation to learn how to reserve a seat on the bus. Thanks to Lees-McRae, there is no charge for Bus Tour Tickets, though donations are greatly appreciated. Regular Museum Admission.

Saturday, August 20 – Quilt Show at the Historic Banner Elk School

Historic and contemporary quilts will be both on display and offered for sale at the Historic Banner Elk School Gymnasium. Take a break from the Quilt Show at one of two lectures by quilter B.R. Hoffman. To complement the Quilt Show, the Banner House Museum will be welcome guests in Open-House style with an emphasis on the textiles on display. $5 Event. Admission includes Museum Admission. Raffle Tickets to win a wall hanging quilt may be purchased at the event, the Museum and other locations around town.

Saturday, September 17 – Children’s Concert at the Historic Banner Elk School

A special performance of Appalachian Music geared towards children. Local band Thistle Dew delights in sharing the musical heritage of our area with the next generation. This event is free to the public as a gift from the Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation, though donations are greatly appreciated. This event is co-sponsored by the Banner Elk Book Exchange.

Saturday, October 1 – Closing Day

Stroll through the Banner House Museum one last time with Open-House style tours and say goodbye to summer on the Banner House lawn with a final round of Children’s activities and Appalachian music performed by Avery JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians). Activities and Tours are free to the public as a gift from the Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation. Donations are greatly appreciated.

More Information

Please be sure to visit the Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation’s website –

www.BannerHouseMuseum.org – for more information, schedule changes, or updates.

Additionally, with all of this activity, the Foundation is also expanding its Volunteer

Opportunities. If you’d like to become a docent or share your talents in another way, please contact us – we’d love to discuss the mission of the Foundation and how you can become a paome a part of preserving and promoting our heritage.

www.BannerHouseMuseum.org   828-899-3634   BannerHouseMuseum@yahoo.com