CONCORD, N.C. — The Concord Museum is moving.
After about 10 years of being in its current location, inside Union Street Square, located at 11 Union St. South, the museum will reopen next month at its new location, a room inside the Historic Courthouse, located at 65 Union St. South, which is just down the road.
“Our organization was created out of a grassroots campaign to save (the courthouse),” said Michael Eury, executive director of Historic Cabarrus Association, which manages the Concord Museum. “To me, it makes sense to have a presence there.”
When it reopens, admission will remain free, but the museum will have longer hours, Eury said. The new hours will be Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
One of the reasons for the move was rent increases at its current location, Eury said, but he added that it is a positive change and would give the museum a more visible venue.
Lois Marlow, president of the board of directors for Historic Cabarrus Association, agreed.
“We’ve worked very hard, and we’re looking forward to (moving toward) an even greater direction,” Marlow said.
The space at the museum’s new location is slightly smaller, but Historic Cabarrus Association still has a goal of one day growing into a larger and permanent location, Eury said.
He added that the move has also allowed for an opportunity to review the museum’s archives to better catalog and store them.
“Our archives are in much better shape,” Eury said. “We also have found things we weren’t aware were there that will be relived in the revitalized Concord Museum.”
Some of the items that people have either not seen before or have not seen in a long time include an old downtown Concord parking meter and a World War II commemorative Cannon towel.
The goal is for museum visitors to also have a different experience when they walk through the door, Eury said.
There will be enlarged photographs and more of a focus on the stories and less on the quantity of items.
“That’s what has fascinated me the most, the stories behind the stories,” Eury said.
Due to this move, the Cabarrus County Veterans Museum, which Historic Cabarrus Association also manages, is relocating to the Cabarrus County Governmental Center. That move, which is temporary, will be effective on May 14, and the new location will be inside the center's rotunda, Eury said.
He added that it was also a positive change because the center is a public building where the Veterans Services office is located, so a lot of veterans already visit it.
The Concord Museum will reopen at its new location with a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. on April 14, the day of the 3rd Annual Concord History Walk, which raises money for the Concord Museum and provides music and historic reenactments.
“It made sense to me to funnel all the energy into that one special day,” Eury said.
This year’s walk will exclusively be in downtown Concord as a way to concentrate all of the energy in one space, Eury said.
Another upcoming fundraiser, the Concord Museum Moving Sale and Antiques and Collectibles Appraisal, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Pieces from the Concord Museum that will be for sale include display cases, books and items of which the museum has multiples.
“It’s a good opportunity for a local history buff to find some things to add to their collection,” Eury said.
Appraiser and former antique dealer Michael Hansen will also be appraising items at the event. Those who wish to have their items appraised must be able to carry them and are asked to have no more than two items appraised at a time.
Each item appraised will cost $10, and all proceeds will go toward the Concord Museum.
“Money will come back to the community because we do things that preserve community history,” Eury said. “Every dollar is appreciated.”
For more information, visit www.historiccabarrus.org.
WSOC
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