From UNC Chapel Hill’s Wilson Library — housing what’s believed to be the largest library collection in the country devoted to a single state — to personal troves of duck decoys, pottery pieces, trains, tractors, and more: Meet the passionate collectors who curate the past and present, the serious and curious, the tangible items that tell the story of life in North Carolina.
statesville
Downtown: Statesville
Horse-drawn carriages, carolers on the sidewalks, storefronts aglow with Christmas lights: In December, downtown Statesville is full of comfort and joy. Even after the season ends, the magic lingers.
Have Jerky, Will Travel
No longer mere trail fuel, craft jerky is having a moment. In the hands of North Carolina makers, this survival snack with ancient origins is upping its game.
Back in the Day: The Love Valley Thing
In 1970, hippies took over Love Valley for a rock ’n‘ roll weekend.
The Return of the Mummy at Iredell Museums
The 3,000-year-old woman who once captivated generations of Statesville children — and helped launch the city’s first cultural arts center more than a half-century ago — has returned to claim the cultural spotlight and, in the process, revitalize the downtown museum she calls home.
Exploring Statesville
For the highway traveler with stiff muscles and an empty belly, this town is a perfect stop.
The Story Behind the Troutman Chair Company
The Troutman Chair factory outside of Statesville has made some of the best rockers anywhere since 1924 — long before becoming a Charlotte airport staple. And because little has changed, they’re better than ever.
Forged from the Soil
With enough red clay to sustain building projects up and down the East Coast, North Carolina’s brick industry has prospered in the hands of family-owned operations for centuries.
Ready to Ride
Bikes line up for fun and a good cause with the Scoot-n-Hoot Poker Run in Iredell County.