The Banner News / banner-news.com
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Page 11
Barry Smith and the model of the Springfield Baptist Church. Pat Smith with one of the Brevard Station Museum’s bigger Photos by Alan Hodge items, a vintage horse drawn wagon.
The replica Large Leaf Magnolia blossom.
Stanley sports history is well represented at the museum.
A Vietnam War era jacket once worn by Danny Ballard is on display.
MUSEUM From Page 1 The same area of the museum where the volumes are
A 1940s Stanley All Stars girls basketball team uniform.
located is also a meeting space where programs are held. Right now, the programs on hold thanks to COVID, but they are scheduled t return as
soon as restrictions ease. Local military lore gets plenty of space in the museum. Exhibits include uniforms and equipment going
The museum has an extensive collection of mill employee photos.
This large poster explains local iron production in the old days.
A tribute to Ralph Handsel who was Stanley police chief for 50 years.
back to the Civil War. Medals, hats, flags, helmets, and more that were donated by local folks fill several display cases. “We are proud to be a place where people can donate items so their loved ones can be remembered,” said Smith. The museum also pays homage to the Stanley area’s textile heritage. This includes archival photos of mill workers and other related items. Vintage clothing is also on display as well as items that folks in Stanley once used in their homes in days gone by. The Stanley area has always been a sports hotspot and the museum features cases with trophies, sports uniforms, cheerleader uniforms and an autographed football from the 1950s. Another section of the museum is a tribute to Ralph Handsel who was Stanley’s police chief for 50 years. A sculpted bust and a painting of Handsel as well as news clips trace his career as Stan-
The museum has a treasure trove of local history reference materials. ley’s legendary and beloved lawman. One item at the museum that gets a lot of attention a replica of Stanley’s AfricanAmerica Springfield Baptist Church. The model was made by legally blind craftsman Everett Brown and features a removable roof that lets folks peer inside and see the church interior. No visit to the museum would be complete without a look at the full size replica of a Big Leaf Magnolia bloom that was donated by the Schiele Museum in Gastonia. The display is a trib-
WWI equipment on loan from W.M. Cavin, Jr.
ute to French botanist Andre Michaux who prowled the Stanley area back in the early 1800s and discovered the Big Leaf Magnolia growing there. Stanley and its environs are one of the few places on earth where the species is found. Overall, the Brevard Station Museum is a fascinating place to visit and find out how Stanley grew from a sleepy railroad stop to the vibrant town it is today. For more information visit Brevardstation.com or call Barry Smith at 704-8135015 to arrange a Saturday tour.
