Our Mission
The mission of the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas is to honor our nation’s veterans, to educate the public about our country’s military history and the contribution of our service men and women, and to preserve important and unique historic artifacts. The Museum reflects a love of country and gratitude to those who serve it by remembering and celebrating their service.
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On January 15, 2022, members of the Transylvania County Honor Guard paid tribute to their fallen comrade, John “Larry” McCall of Brevard, NC. Read McCall’s account of his service in Vietnam as described in Welcome Home, Brother by Michel Robertson. To read more about “Larry” click here.
Why the Veterans History Museum
The purpose of this veterans museum is to honor the men and women from North and South Carolina who served in our armed forces.
Some examples of what the museum features include one-of-a-kind artifacts, uniforms, weaponry, original newspapers, personal letters, etc.
All of these special items weave the great and proud stories of service in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.
They display and help us empathize with the wonder, but also the danger of our involvement in these wars, and the unique sacrifice of our military men and women!
Love of country plus gratitude to those who served proudly equals the museum’s theme for all ages, both young and old.
Peek Inside the Museum
Our Honor Wall hallmarks the service of veterans across North and South Carolina.
The Honor Wall is the first exhibit a visitor encounters. Golden plaques recognize those who served and those who are serving. Many funeral homes are now providing plaques in honor of passed veterans.
When looking for a meaningful way to honor a family member or friend, please consider an honor wall plaque. Click here for more information on how to honor your veteran.
Golden plaques are available for one hundred dollars and can be etched with up to forty five letters of your choice. Four inch by eight inch golden plaques are also available for two hundred dollars and can be etched with up to fifty letters.
Living Histories
Joe Cooper, WWII and Korean War Veteran
Japanese “Betty” on fire. Photo courtesy Joe Cooper.Joe Dayton Cooper U.S. Navy, WWII – PacificDecember 27, 1941—December 28,1945U.S. Army, Berlin Air LiftKorean War, 1948-1953 Brevard resident Joe Cooper served in the U.S. Navy during WWII (Pacific), December 27,...
Joe Cooper survived the burning of WWII’s USS Ommaney Bay and served again in Korea
WWII veterans attend a sneak preview of the WWII Jeep exhibit in the museum on February 28, 2020. From left, L.C. Poor, Joe Cooper, James Brush, George Koch, and Ed Cottrell.In part one, we learned that Cooper and the crew of the USS Ommaney Bay had to abandon ship...
“The Big E” USS Enterprise – MCPO Clyde Jones, USN (Ret.)
USS Enterprise, "The Big E" -- A Recipe for Success It’s been said that an Army marches on its stomach, attesting to the importance of well-provisioned forces in the military. For Clyde Jones, “serving” in the Navy took on new meaning as he directed the preparation of...
News
Our Fallen on Memorial Day: Parade and Ceremony 2022
Join Transylvania County Citizens to Honor Our Fallen on Memorial Day: Parade and Ceremony Monday, May 30Parade at 9:00 AMCeremony at 10:00 AM The American Legion is sponsoring a parade to honor our fallen heroes and Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30. Hosted by...
WWII Merchant Mariners Awarded Congressional Gold Medal at U.S. Capitol
102-year-old Charlie Mills of Pearland, TX, holds up the Congressional Gold Medal at the U.S. Capitol.WASHINGTON — Merchant Mariners, elected officials, and senior military leaders gathered at the U.S. Capital in Washington D.C. for the Congressional Gold Medal...
New Video Series
“A Night at the Muesum”
Now available on our Youtube channel
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