DigitalNC: North Carolina's Digital Heritage

The Bessemer City Museum was built in 1929. Stonewall Jackson Durham, one of the original founders of the town, donated the brown stones for building a clubhouse for the Women’s Club. The building has been the setting for many social events and clubs. In later years, it housed the Jr. Women’s Club and in 1995 it became the home of our city’s Museum. The Museum has artifacts from the past on display as well as a hand-painted, life-sized scene entitled “Look Back — The Great Wagon Train.” The display depicts the original Scots-Irish and German settlers who moved to this area from the North in 1740. The settlers were mostly dairy farmers and or farmers who grew cotton, leading to the eventual textile industry in the area. The Museum is also the caretaker of past issues of the Bessemer City Record. The Museum is open by appointment by calling the Kiser Senior Center at (704) 729-6465. If interested in joining the Bessemer City History and Arts Society please join us at the Museum on the 4th Monday of each month at 4:00pm.