News

Please check back often for news, happenings and stories about the 51�� History Museums, events, and stories from our Living Histories series

Our Mission

To Honor, Educate and Preserve our History by Remembering and Honoring our 51��.

New Merchant Marine Exhibit

Sep 4, 2020 | News

Merchant Marine Liberty ship SS Jeremiah O’Brien Replica Upon entering the museum, a beautiful glass-encased replica of the Merchant Marine Liberty ship SS Jeremiah O’Brien draws visitors into the Harold Wellington WWII Merchant Marine Exhibit. Wellington served in...

Quilts of Valor Honors David Morrow and Foster Ray

Sep 2, 2020 | News

By Joni Pavlik On August 26, 2020, David Morrow and Foster Ray were recipients of a Quilt of Valor at the Courthouse Gazebo. David Morrow is a US Navy Veteran who served in 1969-70 on a Construction Battalion team of 13 men known as Seabees. They helped rural South...

Honoring WWII Veteran Amato Casciato

Sep 2, 2020 | Living Histories

Honoring veterans, educating the public, and preserving historical artifacts are the reasons why Emmett Casciato founded the 51�� four years ago. These three principles from the museum’s mission statement caught the attention of...

Quilts of Valor presented to Mayor Jimmy Harris and General Joe Taluto

Aug 19, 2020 | News

On August 12, 2020, the 51�� and the Blue Ridge Chapter of the Quilts of Valor shared the courthouse gazebo to honor two veterans who selflessly served our country. The event was attended by immediate family and museum volunteers....

Korean War Veteran Receives Quilt of Valor on July 27, 2020

Aug 19, 2020 | News

Korean War Veteran Charles Holden In Brevard on Monday, July 27, 2020 a-long awaited moment arrived for Transylvania County native and Korean War Veteran Charles Holden arrived. It was also the 67th anniversary of the armistice that ended hostilities in the Korean...

The 51�� receives $10,000 grant

Jul 27, 2020 | News

Striking a pose in front of the museum, Board members Michel Robertson and Ken Corn join nine other directors in their appreciation of the NC Humanities Council’s Humanities Relief Grant.$10,000 Grant The 51�� (VHMC) is a small gem...

Korean War Veteran Bill Lack: “It was the world trying to stop Communism.”

Jul 21, 2020 | News

Story and photos by WLOS-TV photojournalist Ken Corn 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War. On June 25th, the Korean War 51�� Association held a ceremony at the Korean War memorial monument on the square of the Historical Courthouse...

Humor in Uniform

Jul 21, 2020 | Living Histories

Vietnam was brutal and scarring for its warriors While interviewing more than 30 Vietnam War veterans, I listened to stories poignant, harsh, and tragic. Like all wars, Vietnam was brutal and scarring for its warriors. Yet, these combatants occasionally laughed at...

Sandy Groendyke B-17 Bomber pilot WWII story. German Prison Camp Survivor

Jul 6, 2020 | Living Histories

Sandy Groendyke joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943 Sandy Groendyke joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943 and served as a B-17 Bomber pilot in Europe. After his plane was hit and was forced to land, he was captured and held in a German prison camp for nine...