A self-guided tour of the Museum can be an exciting and educational experience. The foundation of the tour is laid when you read the inscription on the large granite panel near the reception desk, and then look up at the 100-foot mural. The mural is an accurate painting of the surrounding mountains, reproduced from timed, still photographs.

•  The tour begins with a stop at the natural history exhibit, a visit to the Native American and Saura Indian wigwam and then on to an exhibit about the world's largest open-face granite quarry.
•  Travel through time along the mighty Yadkin River and learn about life in a log cabin, the region's early settlers and communities, and early commerce.
•  Next, visit a turn-of-the-century general store, a train depot and a 70-foot scale model railroad that takes you from Sanford, North Carolina to Kibler Valley in Virginia.
•  The lower level of the Museum is home to three American La France fire engines - dated 1916, 1926, and 1946.  The recreated living quarters of the firefighters are also on exhibit.
•  Turn-of-the-century household items in a Victorian parlor, clothing, and toys are part of exhibits located on the second floor of the Museum. Also featured are exhibits on the Siamese twins, Eng and Chang Bunker, Andy Griffith and his heritage, award winning country music singer and song writer Donna Fargo, the famous musician Tommy Jarrell and WPAQ radion station founded by Ralph Epperson. The War Memorial Exhibit is continually expanding.
•  Exhibits on our newly renovated third floor include the regional medical story, Model T Fords, tobacco barn, textile, moonshine and winemaking plus a look at the inside of the Merritt Hardware store's office. 

School Programs for the 2009 - 2010 School Year
"Meet Me At the Wigwam: A Native American Experience"
View a typical Southeastern Native American dwelling as you learn about the culture of the Sauras, the Native Americans who inhabited this region. View the types of items inside and outside of their bark house and discuss the importance of these items for everyday use. Participate in games the Saura children played. Listen to stories and legends the Eastern Woodland Native Americans would tell their children and sing Native American songs. Create a Native American craft and learn to speak in sign language. Taste traditional Native American foods, such as popcorn, sweet potatoes, and grape or apple juice. (Two hours and thirty minutes) A charge of $1.00 per student applies to this program.

"Journey to Carolina"
Join a pioneer family as they travel down the Great Philadelphia Wagon Road to the Hollows in Surry County. Select the items to take on your journey to survive in your new wilderness home as you help pack the wagon for the trip. Visit the family's new log cabin home. Talk about the chores the children would have been responsible for and sample food the family would have prepared. (One hour and thirty minutes)

Planning Your Visit
If you would like to bring your class for one of the educational programs outlined in the booklet, please contact Heather Elliott or call the Museum Education and Program Office at least two weeks in advance of the date you wish to visit.

Many of the programs take advance preparation for food and supplies. In addition, we have to schedule time with volunteers who participate in the various programs. Planning ahead is most important if your visit is to be productive.

Admission to the Museum is $3 for students and seniors and $5 for adults. Surry County, Mt. Airy City, Elkin City and Millenium Charter Schools are admitted free to the Museum on school sponsored field trips.

Teacher's Guide Booklets on planning a visit to the Museum are also available. The booklet provides information on preparing your students for a visit and also how to set up your visit.

Please call (336) 786-4478 for additional information or to schedule a tour or program.

Preparing Your Students for a Visit
The Museum strives to maintain a professional setting for all visitors. We would like for you to talk briefly with your students about what is expected of them while they are in the Museum. We call this "Museum Manners."

Please ask your students not to touch any of the artifacts unless they are given that opportunity by a docent. There should be no running or pushing. Everyone will be given an opportunity to see and hear. Students are asked to stay with the group to which they were originally assigned, and to avoid excessive and loud talking. Chewing gum is not permitted in the Museum. Time is provided for restroom and water breaks. Students almost always display good manners and good behavior. It is very helpful for docents if students wear a nametag.

We also ask that teachers and adult school personnel stay with their group of students and take responsibility for maintaining discipline. Adults are requested to turn off cell phones while in the Museum.

The Mission Statement and a brief history of the Museum are also included in this booklet. By sharing this information with your students in advance of their visit, they will have a better understanding of what we are seeking to accomplish when they tour Museum.

A Visit to the Museum Shop
Following a tour of the Museum, students look forward to spending some time in the Museum Shop. It gives them the opportunity to purchase and take home a memento of their experiences. Every effort has been made to ensure that there are quality items, sanctioned through the Museum Store Association, available and affordable to students. If you plan to visit the Museum Gift Shop, please allocate additional time when scheduling your tour. For the teacher's convenience, we have developed gift bags that can be ordered prior to your scheduled tour or program. The gift bags contain a variety of items and are priced at $2. An order form will be provided ahead of time.

Girl Scout Patch Program
Through the great leadership skills of Junior Girl Scout, Natalie Johnson, the Museum has developed something very special for the Tarheel Triad Girl Scout's Council Patch Program. The Museum has joined Old Salem, Bethabara and Horne Creek Living History Farm in offering such a program.

Girl Scouts participating in the program learn about the history of the surrounding region through exhibits and also by taking a walking tour of historic sites within a one and a half mile radius of the Museum.

A special packet of information about the Girl Scout Program has been prepared and can be picked up at the Museum. You may request a packet by calling 336-786-4478, ext. #228.

Policies:
The Museum has a No Smoking policy throughout the entire facility. This includes the stair-tower and the observatory.
No video cameras or flash cameras may be used in the Museum. The use of still cameras is acceptable.
All cell phones should be turned off or silent before entering exhibit areas.
Food and drink are not to be consumed in exhibit areas.
Chewing gum is not permitted in the Museum.

Feel free to contact us anytime:

The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History
301 North Main Street
Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030

Telephone: 336-786-4478
Fax: 336-786-1666