Educational Programs
Learn something new.
The Mountain Heritage Center at WCU is a regional resource for education and research. We connect people with local history and culture and build bridges between WCU and the region. The Center works with youth and adult audiences through specially designed gallery, school, and outreach programs. Students discover how history relates to their own lives as they explore themes relevant to western North Carolina's past, present, and future.
Outreach Group Programs
Programs are offered free of charge although assistance with travel is gratefully accepted. Help us provide a great program by sharing what your class is studying, any special needs your group has, and what you would like emphasized. Programs are developed in accordance with the North Carolina Essential Standards. These include Arts Education, English Language Arts, and Social Studies. A complete list is available for each program according to grade level. Contact us to set up a program. Please Note: We have new school programs on Native Americans in western NC.
NATIVE AMERICANS IN WESTERN NC - TRAVELING TRUNK
- For: Schools, grades 2-5
- Length: 2-4 Week Loan
- Description: Students learn about Cherokee and other Native Americans through stories, images, games, and artifacts.
- Native American Trunk Packing List
A DAY IN THE LIFE - TRAVELING TRUNK
- For: Schools, grades 2-5
- Length: 2-4 Week Loan
- Description: Students step into the lives of pioneer settlers with hands-on artifacts, books, activities, and music.
- Day in the Life Trunk Packing List
READING A QUILT - TRAVELING TRUNK
- For: Grades K-6
- Length: 90 minutes
- Description: Learn how "reading" a quilt can uncover the past. Students will hear quilt-related stories, create a paper quilt square, and be introduced to quilt design, technology, and use.
- Quilt Trunk Packing List
APPALACHIAN PASTIMES
- For: Schools, grades 2-8
- Length: 1 hour
- Description: Students learn about their Appalachian ancestors and how they went about enjoying their time鈥攕tories, games, toys, and more.
- Appalachian Pastimes Pre and Post visit brochure
COVERING UP
- For: Schools, grades 2-8
- Length: 1 hour
- Description: Students are introduced to western North Carolina's rich textile history. Includes hands-on quilting and weaving activities.
NATIVE AMERICANS IN WNC
- For: Schools, grades K-6
- Length: 1 hour
- Description: Learn about Cherokee and other Native Americans through stories, images, games, and artifacts.
- Native American Pre and Post visit brochure
HOEING AND HARVESTING
- For: Schools, grades 2-12
- Length: 1 hour
- Description: Students discover Appalachia's agricultural traditions, from Native American to modern times. Includes large format photographs, artifacts, and hands-on activities.
NEW LIGHT ON OLD TIMES
- For: Schools, grades 2-8
- Length: 1 hour
- Description: Students experience the history of lighting technology鈥攖allow, beeswax, oil, and electric.
- New Light on Old Times Pre and Post visit brochure
A VISIT FROM A CIVIL WAR SOLDIER
- For: Schools, grades 4-12
- Length: 1 hour
- Description: Students hear of life during the Civil War from a Union or Confederate soldier.
Our programs are developed in accordance with North Carolina's Essential Standards for Social Studies, Arts Education, and English Language Arts. A list is available for each program according to your class's level. Programs take place at the MHC and utilize our Current Exhibits.
- Programs range from 45 minutes to 2 hours.
- 1 adult chaperone required for every 15 students.
- Help us provide a great program by telling us what your class is studying, any special needs your group has, and what you would like emphasized.
- Contact us to set up a program or to work the Education Associate to customize a program for your class.
Settling Appalachia (Grades 2-8)
- Length: 90 minutes
- Description: An exploration of MHC's resident "Discovering Appalachia" exhibit. Students will examine images and artifacts and participate in role-playing activities.
reading a quilt (Grades K-6)
- Length: 90 minutes
- Description: Students will discover Appalachia's past through quilt-making. Lesson includes paper quilt crafts, quilt stories, technology, and common use.
Native americans of western north carolina (Grades K-8)
- Length: 1 hour
- Description: Students will learn about Cherokee and other Native Americans through stories, images, games, and artifacts.
what's new at the center (All ages)
- Length: up to 90 minutes
- Description: Take an interactive tour of the Center's latest exhibits. Includes touchable
artifacts and a gallery scavenger hunt.
Other resources