Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

January 18, 2007 issue

Banner House Museum Readies for Opening in Spring 2007

Anyone Have an Antique Cherry Pitter?

Story by Celeste von Mangan

The Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation purchased one of the oldest houses in Avery County last year to preserve the structure from demolition, and the restoration and refurbishing of the house have been underway since then. The foundation has announced that the house will open as a museum in late spring 2007.

The house, built in 1865, originally belonged to Sam Banner and his family and is known as the Sam Banner House, or simply, Banner House. The Banner family originated in Wales and the town named after them was called Banner’s Elk until 1911 when the town was incorporated by the North Carolina General Assembly and the name changed to Banner Elk.

Once completed, the house will serve as a museum to depict how people lived in the Banner Elk area during the Civil War and post-Civil War era.

“We are furnishing rooms at this time,” said Nancy Clark of the Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation. “We’re looking for things from 1865 to the turn of the century. We are furnishing a parlor, two bedrooms, a large hallway and a keeping room, which is used as a kitchen.”

Over the past year, Banner House has been filling with all sorts of donated items, including dolls and a portrait of Sam Banner.

“The bedrooms are in pretty good shape,” said Clark, “though there is always room for more. We still need some furnishings to fit into the time period for that type of house. It is one of the oldest in Banner Elk, in a nice location and central to downtown Banner Elk.”

Because of its location and history, the Banner House Museum has the potential for walking tours and educational programs for children. Sylvia Hahn, president of the Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation, has applied for grants to help facilitate the process. The historic home will also contain a museum shop and it will serve as a venue for folk music and storytelling events.

So what will it take to realize a late spring grand opening for Banner House Museum?

“We still need some donations of furniture,” said Clark, “and I’d love to have a cherry pitter.”

To donate period furniture or household items, call Clark at 828-898-8004 or Gail Draughon at 828-898-4322.