Matthews Heritage Museum
232 N. Trade Street Matthews, NC 28105
704-708-4996
Mailing: PO Box 1117 Matthews, NC 28106
www.matthewsheritagemuseum.org
For Immediate Release: January 25, 2019
The Matthews Heritage Museum is pleased to announce that it will open a groundbreaking exhibit on Tank Town: A Good Place to Live on February 16, 2019. After a year of research, the museum will present its findings on the area once known as Tank Town, now Crestdale, a neighborhood in Matthews. This area was settled by former slaves and freedmen after the Civil War. The exhibit will explore the people, lifestyles, jobs, schools and community organizations of this neighborhood.
We will bring to life the history of the churches of the area including Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church and the United House of Prayer. Learn about the “shot-gun school house” and the Matthews Colored School built with Rosenwald funding. Early residents will be highlighted in the jobs they held and the way they lived. It is an opportunity to learn how this community grew and developed, and its hope for the future.
A special teaching unit has been developed for 3rd grade classes, which meets Curriculum standards. This unit can be downloaded from the museum website after Feb. 7, 2019, at www.matthewsheritagemuseum.org.
Tours of the museum and this exhibit can be made by calling or emailing the museum. To contact the museum or schedule a tour call: 704-708-4996, or email: info@matthewsheritagemuseum.org. Please call two weeks in advance. We can accommodate 20 people on a tour.
The Matthews Heritage Museum is located at 232 N. Trade Street in Matthews. It is open Thursday – Saturday from 10 to 4:30 p.m. Entrance fee is $4 for adults, $2 for children 10 to 17, and Free under 10. The first Saturdays of the month are free.
Other programs will be held with this exhibit that will be on display through August 17, 2019. Please watch the local papers. For more information call 704-708-4996.
Painting of Harvey Boyd by renowned African American artist, Lois Mailou Jones