Highland Historical Society Opens Museums for Maple Festival Celebrations

The Highland County Museum Mansion House in McDowell and C.P Jones House Museum on Main Street in Monterey will both reopen during Maple Festival as the beginning to their spring/ summer season. Both of these beautiful Highland County displays of history are projects of the Highland Historical Society, which is associated with a large array of preservation projects throughout the county.

I met up with Executive Director for the Highland Historical Society, Lori Botkin, recently to talk about a new project for the society, which is a partnership with other local nonprofits.

“We are working with The Arts Council, The Children’s House, and VPAS on a project we call Highland StoryCorp. We have over 75 cassettes recorded by the Highland Middle School students from 1998-2006. Many of the people interviewed have since passed,” explained Botkin. “We are in the early stages of gathering new stories. If you, or someone you know would be willing to be interviewed, please let us know. These will eventually be available for the public in the Research Library at the Mansion House in McDowell.”

This project also fits into 2024’s new exhibit at the museum, which focuses on quilts and the tapestry and story they create of the past. Highland family quilts are now on display at the Mansion House Museum.

Visitors to Maple Festival will also be able to enjoy the C.P. Jones House Museum in Monterey, which will be open throughout the festival thanks to wonderful volunteers who are keen on Highland County History. 

Visit highlandcountyhistory.com for more information about the Highland Historical Society as well as visiting hours for both the Mansion House in McDowell and the C.P. Jones House Museum on Main Street in Monterey. Hours for Maple Festival are 9:00 – 5:00 for all four days of the festival. Regular hours continue after with the museums open Thursday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.