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
Gil Mays flies the TBF Avenger
Rutherford County resident Gil Mays (center) with his crew next to their TBF Avenger onboard the U.S.S. Yorktown in 1944. There were three crew members: pilot, turret gunner and radioman/bombardier/ventral gunner.An interview with WWII pilot Gil Mays and his son...
They call you Doc
Thomas Greenway tells his story from his home near Columbus, North Carolina."They call you 'Doc' on the front line." By Michael McCarthy“This is part of my great-grandfather’s place right here. I worked about a year in Community Cash store in Spartanburg. I was just...
Choreography on Deck USS Kitty Hawk
By Michel Robertson, from the bookWelcome Home, Brother: Memoirs of Vietnam War VeteransYoung Ray Pavlik had not heard of Vietnam when he graduated from high school in 1964 and enlisted in the Navy. “I wanted to get as far away from Cleveland as I could.” His...
News
The Cold War in Retrospect Part I
When I was in War College in 1991 at the conclusion of the Cold War, it was reported that a Russian general purportedly said, “You have lost the best enemy you ever had.” Perhaps, looking back, the words were indeed prophetic.The Cold War, Setting the Stage 1949-1970...
The Cold War Part II
The Age of Presidents and the Holy Grail 1971-1991 1971-1991 These were the years when the United States, the Soviets and now China made efforts to improve relations. Finding the “arms race” particularly expensive, they entered into a period of give and take. And in...
Aim High…Fly-Fight-Win
The day was 18 September 1947, and on the implementation of the National Security Act of 1947, the US Air Force left the Army Air Forces and became a separate service. This reorganization placed the Air Force on an equal footing with the Army and Navy. "Airpower...
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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
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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.