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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VISIT
EDUCATION
VOLUNTEER
SUPPORT
My father was a WWII combat veteran who lived here with me for the last 5+ years of his life. We discovered the museum in its first days at the Heritage Museum. It became simply the best thing in his life. He was treated like a celebrity: red-carpet (literally) welcomes, a seat of honor next to the mayor, photographed, interviewed, published, book-signings, Honor wall plaque, Quilts of Valor ceremony, his picture in the paper several times a year, great speakers and events, and always someone new saying thank you and please tell me your story. Never just an old man in a wheelchair but a man among heroes.
–John Luzena, Museum Volunteer
If you have never taken the time to browse through this particular museum, I highly recommend it. It is a travel through our country’s history through the eyes of those who made all our freedoms possible. You will hear the stories from those who can tell it with knowledge and compassion in their souls. You will leave with a humbled heart and a sense of gratitude for all of those who have sacrificed for our country. This is history you can’t learn from a textbook.
–Judy M., Brevard, NC
The Veterans History Museum Movie
“Through Their Eyes”
Depicting Americans at war from WWI to current day, through musuem artifacts, professional naration, photos, videos and veterans’ stories.
“Through Their Eyes” – Is a series of brief and powerful videos that offer a historical perspective and a learning experience for young and old.
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
David B. Grant: Phantom Pilot and Prisoner of War
On June 24, 1972, U.S. Air Force Captain David B. Grant was flying a mission from Thailand into conflict-ridden North Vietnam when his F-4 Phantom took a direct hit and exploded.
John Barker: Flying F-4 Phantoms Over Hanoi
Vietnam Veterans Series John Barker served two tours in Vietnam in 1967 and 1972, flying bombing raids in F-4 Phantoms in the Hanoi area. Below, in his own words, is Barker’s Vietnam story. I received my commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in May 1965. A year...
Wendell “Ray” Alcorn: Seven Years a Prisoner of War
Vietnam Veterans Series By Michel Robertson Ray Alcorn grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania. He served 30 years in the U.S. Navy including seven years as a prisoner of war. His last assignment before retirement as a Captain was as Dean of Students at the...
News
Steven Zaley to Speak on his Father’s 82nd Airborne WWII Experiences
Steven Zaley to Speak on his Father’s82nd Airborne WWII ExperiencesMarch 18, 2023 in Brevard Steven R. Zaley, author of They Are Only Gone If They Are Forgotten: A Story about One of the Original Companies of the 82nd Airborne Division, 505th Combat Team, Third...
2022: Veterans History Museum Year in Review
1943 Willys Jeep and 1942 Harley-Davidson motorcycle exhibitExpanded Museum Schedule: Record Number of Visitors & Volunteers The museum’s visitor attendance in 2022 was 3638 (compared to 2583 in 2021); 90% of the visitors are from outside Brevard. This year we had...
Three WWII Centenarians and a Youngster
Seated from left, Dorothy Managan and George Sarros. Standing from left, Myrl Jean Hughes and Ed CottrellWWII Veterans Celebrate Friends, family, and volunteers from the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas and Blue Ridge Quilts of Valor gathered to celebrate the...
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The Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas
21 East Main Street
Brevard, North Carolina 28712
Call: (828) 884-2141
Admission: FREE
Open: Tues-Sat, 11am to 3pm
Join Our Email List
If you are interested in signing up for news about the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas upcoming events and stories, please sign up for our on-line mailing list. Click Here.