High Point Museum | High Point

The High Point Museum, located at 1859 East Lexington Avenue in High Point, North Carolina, is a comprehensive local history museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting the cultural, economic, and social heritage of High Point and the surrounding Piedmont Triad region. Operated by the High Point Historical Society, the museum plays a central role in educating residents and visitors about the city’s past, especially its legacy as a global leader in furniture manufacturing.

🏛️ Museum Overview

The museum is situated within a quiet, tree-lined area and consists of two main components: the indoor exhibit galleries and the adjacent Historical Park, which features restored historic structures and live demonstrations. Admission to both the museum and park is free, making it accessible to families, school groups, and individuals seeking educational enrichment. Though temporarily closed for HVAC and roof repairs as of 2025, the Historical Park remains open on Saturdays for visitors.

🖼️ Permanent Exhibits

1. High Point's History Core Gallery
This gallery traces the evolution of the High Point area from its earliest indigenous inhabitants to the 21st century. It features a broad range of artifacts, documents, and interactive exhibits that explore:

Native American and early settler life

The city’s role in agriculture and railroad expansion

African American community development and local Civil Rights efforts

The effects of major events such as the Civil War, World Wars, and the Great Depression

The transformation of High Point into a center for commerce and manufacturing

The exhibit is arranged chronologically, offering a clear narrative of how the city has grown and changed over time.

2. Furniture Heritage Gallery
High Point’s identity as the “Furniture Capital of the World” is celebrated in this gallery, which explores the rise of the local furniture industry from the late 19th century through the modern era. The exhibit includes:

Tools, blueprints, and furniture pieces from different periods

Information on early craftspeople and major furniture companies

Multimedia displays on the international High Point Furniture Market

A focus on design trends, labor, and marketing innovations over the decades

The gallery underscores how furniture manufacturing shaped the city’s economy, urban development, and global reputation.

3. Meredith’s Miniatures Collection
This whimsical and highly detailed collection features over 30 miniature rooms, created at a 1:12 scale. Designed by local artist Meredith Slane Michaux, each miniature meticulously replicates domestic and commercial interiors from different historical periods and architectural styles. The exhibit serves as both an artistic and historical display, offering a unique perspective on design, culture, and daily life across centuries.

🔁 Rotating Exhibits

The High Point Museum maintains a robust program of temporary exhibits. These changing displays reflect various themes and milestones in local history and cultural heritage. Notable examples include:

"Pathos, Patience, Perseverance: Celebrating 100 Years of Alpha Art Club"
This exhibit honors one of the city's oldest African American women's clubs, focusing on its contribution to the arts, education, and civic engagement in High Point.

"Makers to Manufacturers: Furniture-Making in the Piedmont, 1830–1890"
This temporary exhibit, on view through late 2024, examines the shift from small-scale craftsmanship to factory-based furniture production. It includes original tools, promotional materials, and detailed furniture pieces that show the evolution of techniques and business models.

These rotating exhibits offer fresh educational content throughout the year and highlight underrepresented narratives and diverse community stories.

🌳 Historical Park and Outdoor Features

Located behind the main museum building, the Historical Park includes restored 18th- and 19th-century buildings that have been relocated and preserved on-site:

John Haley House (1786):
One of Guilford County’s oldest standing structures, this log home offers insights into early settler life in the Carolina backcountry. The house is fully furnished with authentic period pieces and is often the site of costumed interpretation.

Hoggatt House (1801):
Another example of early domestic architecture, the Hoggatt House illustrates rural family life in the early 1800s. Visitors can see period furniture, domestic tools, and displays on food preparation and housekeeping.

Little Red Schoolhouse (circa 1880s):
A restored one-room schoolhouse that provides an authentic look into early American education. It is used during school programs and reenactments to teach children about 19th-century schooling.

Working Blacksmith Shop:
During scheduled live demonstrations, visitors can watch a costumed blacksmith work with traditional tools and techniques to create iron hardware, tools, and ornaments. The blacksmith shop provides a dynamic and hands-on component to the museum’s educational offerings.

👥 Educational Programs and Community Involvement

The High Point Museum hosts a wide array of public programs designed to engage all age groups, including:

Living history days with costumed interpreters

Craft demonstrations and hands-on workshops

Storytelling sessions, lectures, and panel discussions

Seasonal events and family days

Traveling exhibits and outreach programs in local schools

The museum collaborates regularly with local schools, cultural organizations, and universities to create curriculum-aligned content and inclusive community programming.

♿ Accessibility and Inclusivity

As a Certified Autism Center™, the museum provides resources and accommodations for neurodiverse visitors and their families. Staff members are trained in sensory awareness, and materials such as social stories and visual guides are available to enhance the museum experience for individuals with special needs.

🕒 Visitor Information

Address: 1859 East Lexington Avenue, High Point, NC 27262

Phone: (336) 885-1859

Regular Hours:

Museum: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Historical Park: Saturday only, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Admission: Free to all visitors

Temporary Status: As of 2025, the museum building is temporarily closed for HVAC and roofing repairs. The Historical Park remains open on Saturdays.

Summary

The High Point Museum is a cornerstone of the city’s cultural and educational life. With its rich permanent collections, rotating exhibits, and immersive outdoor historical park, it offers a deeply engaging experience that honors High Point’s past while connecting it to the present. Whether you are a local resident, a history buff, or a visitor interested in North Carolina’s industrial and cultural evolution, the museum provides a well-rounded and memorable journey through time.