Hickory Arts, Culture & History
HISTORIC SIGHTS
BUNKER HILL COVERED BRIDGE.
Built in l895, the Bunker Hill Bridge is one of two remaining covered bridges in North Carolina.
It is located 14 miles east of Hickory off Highway 70 E in Claremont.
704.465.0383
MAPLE GROVE AND PROPST HOUSE.
Built in 1883, these two stately Victorian homes have been fully restored by the Hickory Landmarks Society. Specially decorated for the holidays, these homes are also open to the public by appointment.
MAPLE GROVE is located at 542 2nd st NE in Hickory.
PROPST HOUSE is located in the Shuford Memorial Gardens, 3rd Ave & 6th St NW in Hickory.
704.322.4731
MURRAY'S MILL.
Operated by the Murray family as a corn and grist mill from 1883 to 1965, today Murray's Mill is fully restored and open to the public.
It is located on Murray's Mill Road in Catawba.
704.465.0383
OLD ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH.
Old St. Paul's is a two-story log weather-boarded church with an impressive interior including intricately carved sounding board and moldings and a slave balcony. Fuilt in 1771, it remains the oldest existing church in the United States west of the Catawba River. Graveyard headstones date to the early 1800's.
Located on St. Paul's Church Road in Newton.
704.464.9786
AREA ATTRACTIONS
ARTS AND SCIENCE CENTER OF CATAWBA VALLEY.
One of the premier cultural centers in the state, the Arts and Science Center of Catawba Valley houses the Hickory Museum of Art and the Catawba Science Center.
It is located at 243 Third Avenue NE, Hickory.
704.324.4906
HICKORY MUSEUM OF ART.
Acclaimed as having "one of the most outstanding collections of American Art in the Southeast", the Hickory Museum of Art offers exhibits, lectures, classes and out-reach programs to schools and other groups. Hours are Tues-Fri , 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun, 1-4pm
704.327.8576
CATAWBA SCIENCE CENTER.
From the feeding habits of the earliest mammals to the creation of the laser beam, the Catawba Science Center puts visitors "in touch" with our natural and physicalsurroundings through hands-on exhibits. Hours are Tues-Fri, 10am-5pm and Sat-Sun, 1-4pm.
704.322.8169
CATAWBA COUNTY MUSEUM OF HISTORY.
Catawba County's rich heritage is showcased in the former courthouse building. The main floor houses eight major galleries, several smaller galleries, hall exhibit areas, a museum store and a reception area. The lower level has two major galleries, a visitor orientation room, classroom , hall exhibit areas, the old jail cell exhibit.
Located on the square in Newton.
704.465.0383
CATAWBA VALLEY FURNITURE MUSEUM.
Here you can trace the roots of the furniture industry in the Catawba Valley. Tour the authentic reporduction of an early Catawba woodworking shop and see their collection of vintage tools and furnishings.
It is located in the Hickory Furniture Mart, 2220 Hwy 70 E.
704.322.3510
HICKORY MOTOR SPEEDWAY.
Hailed as the birthplace of such NASCAR stars as Dale Earnharadt, Junior Johnson, Ned Jarrett and Harry Gant, Hickory Speedway is the country's longest continuously operated NASCAR track. Races run March through September, with two Busch Grand National Series events each year.
Located on Hwy 70 E in Conover.
704.464.3655
Welcome to Hickory