Mar
12
2:00 PM14:00

Untitled Event

  • 60 Walker Street Columbus, NC, 28722 (map)
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This month's Historical Association's program is asking for audience participation. The history lovers want you to bring in your favorite family heirloom, historic photo or interesting item from the past.

"We did a similar program several years ago and it was extremely popular," said James Metcalf, chief docent for the museum. "With our rich Polk County history, we are always pleasantly surprised at what local folks bring in for their "show and tell".

The March program will be on Tuesday, March 12th at 2pm. As with all of their monthly programs the public is invited. It will be held inside the Polk County Museum. Please do not forget to bring a historic item to the event. There is free admission. The museum is located in downtown Columbus at 60 Walker Street.    

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Jan
27
1:00 PM13:00

TRYON TOYMAKERS PROGRAM

  • 60 Walker Street Columbus, NC, 28722 (map)
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The Polk County Historical Association is pleased to kick off its 2024 program series with a special presentation by nationally known historian Bruce Johnson. On Saturday, January 27th at 1pm, Johnson will be giving a slide program on two young women, Eleanor Vance and Charlotte Yale and their impact on the local and regional handicraft industry in the early 1900's. 

In 1901 Vance and Yale stepped off the train in Biltmore Village and into a new chapter of their lives. Their journey led to the formation of two well known Arts and Crafts cottage industries, Biltmore Industries and Tryon Toymakers and Wood Carvers. Presenter Johnson has spent more than ten years researching the lives of these two innovative and talented women who caught the attention of the first lady of the Biltmore Estate, Editth Vanderbilt.

This January program should be an eye opening presentation for local citizens who have heard about the Tryon Toymakers but may not know the story of Eleanor Vance and Charlotte Yale and their arrival in Polk County in 1915.

Historian Bruce Johnson is an author, founder of the annual National Arts and Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn and serves as vice-president of the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County. He is also the recipient of the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award.

This Saturday presentation will be held inside the Polk County Historical Museum at 60 Walker Street in downtown Columbus. As always the public is encouraged to attend and there is no cost to attend,

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Dec
12
2:00 PM14:00

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES AND MUSIC

  • 60 Walker Street Columbus, NC, 28722 (map)
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CHRISTMAS MEMORIES AND MUSIC

The Polk county Historical museum's annual '',Christmas music and memories ''program will be held Tuesday December 12th at 2pm at the Polk historical Museum 

the program features live music on banjo ,dulcimer ,mandolin guitar etc. ,plus special Christmas memories of growing up in Polk county NC.

The program will be moderated by James Metcalf and will feature REV Jesse Yarboro, Jim and Elizabeth Metcalf ,briar and James McDowell and other guests.

   Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend and will receive a special gift for coming .

our gift shop will be open for Christmas shopping at the time ,and they will also be receiving membership applications 

pictured :railroad employees and families  enjoy a Christmas party in downtown Saluda

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Nov
30
5:30 PM17:30

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM Nov 30th

  • 60 Walker Street Columbus, NC, 28722 (map)
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On Thursday, November 30th the Polk County Historical Museum is going to be open for citizens young and old to see what our local museum has to offer. Featured during the night will be characters from our past walking around the facility in period clothing. The event will be held from 5pm to 7pm at the museum on 60 Walker Street. 

"We are looking forward to sponsoring our Night At The Museum event again this year," said Pat McCool, President of the Historical Association. "In the past we heard from people that they often can not attend our daytime programs because they work. So we are offering this nighttime activity."

Plans are still being formalized but reenactors will be on hand including the volunteers of the Overmountain Men for the nighttime museum opening. There is no cost to attend this event and the public is encouraged to attend. The museum is located at 60 Walker Street in downtown Columbus.

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Sep
12
2:00 PM14:00

SCHOOL  DAYS  AT  SALUDA  SCHOOL  PCHA  PROGRAM  FOR  SEPTEMBER

  • 60 Walker Street Columbus, NC, 28722 (map)
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SCHOOL  DAYS  AT  SALUDA  SCHOOL  PCHA  PROGRAM  FOR  SEPTEMBER


The Polk County Historical Association is pleased to announce the topic for September's monthly program. School days at the Saluda School is the topic for the monthly presentation on Tuesday, September 12th at 2pm. The event will feature a panel of Saluda School alumni who will share their experiences in school.

Saluda native James Metcalf will be the moderator for the program. In addition to the stories from the Saluda graduates, a brief history of the Saluda School and the one room schoolhouse that once served students from Saluda.

The PCHA programs are held each month in the local history museum at 60 Walker Street in downtown Columbus. The public is invited to attend and there is no cost for the program.


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Aug
8
2:00 PM14:00

polk centralTHOSE WERE THE DAYS -- POLK CENTRAL'S FIRST GRADUATING CLASS

  • 60 Walker Street Columbus, NC, 28722 (map)
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THOSE  WERE  THE  DAYS  --  POLK  CENTRAL'S  FIRST  GRADUATING  CLASS 

This month's Polk County Historical Association program will feature graduates from Polk Central High School's class of 1960. The program should be a spirited affair with a panel of folks including Judy Arledge, Brenda Bean, Flloyd Foy and Jeanette Rickman. They will discuss their adventures of attending a larger, brand new high school with students from Columbus, Green Creek, Mill Spring, Pea Ridge and Sunny View. Hear from members of the very first graduating class. 

The monthly historical program will be held Tuesday, August 8th at 2pm inside the Polk County Museum. The museum is located at 60 Walker Street in downtown Columbus. As always the public is invited to attend and there is no charge for the program.


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Jul
11
2:00 PM14:00

EXPLORING THE DAR

  • 60 Walker Street Columbus, NC, 28722 (map)
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Polk County Historical Society
July 11, 2023 meeting at 2pm at PCHA Museum 
Penny Summey, Regent, Abraham Kuykendall NSDAR Chapter, Flat Rock, N.C.

Topic: Getting to Know the Daughters of the American Revolution
Exploring the possibility of a chapter in Polk County

The Daughters of the American Revolution was founded October, 11, 1890 and
incorporated in 1896 by an Act of Congress. Our mission is to promote historic
preservation, education and patriotism. Our motto is God, Home and Country.
We have 3,000 chapters in all 50 states and around the world. Any woman 18
years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove
lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible.
In 1779 Rutherford County was created from Tryon County. In 1855, Polk
County was created from Henderson (previously Buncombe) and Rutherford
(previously Tryon County). It was named after American Revolutionary Col.
William Polk. This area was home to many patriots of the American Revolution
including Abraham Kuykendall and John Earle.
If there is interest in forming a chapter in Polk County, this can happen by the
selection and confirmation of an organizing regent at the request o the State
Regent. An Organized chapter must have 12 members who live in a geographic
area. The organizing regent must be a member-at-large. Following her
appointment by the State Regent, she has one year to organize the chapter.
Procedures for organization must be carefully followed by instruction from the
Office of the Organizing Secretary General at the National level.
DAR members who are active with chapters in surrounding areas or other states
can transfer their membership to the Organizing Chapter.

--

Pat McCool

 


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Jun
17
10:30 AM10:30

When Stearnes was a school

  • 60 Walker Street Columbus, NC, 28722 (map)
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The Polk County Historical Association is excited to offer a rare Saturday morning program for its June 17th program. In keeping with an educational theme, this program will be about Stearns School when hundreds of local students walked through its halls. The program will be from 10:30am to 12 noon inside the Polk County Historical museum.

Featured speakers will be Kathleen Mcillian, Margaret McFarland Clark plus other former students. They will serve on a panel and allow for interaction with the audience present. 

"We are very pleased at how well the educational series of programs have been received with the public," said Becky Hudson, Vice President and Program Chair for the historical association. "Our panel will give people a good opportunity to learn all about their school life at Stearns School."

Stearns School was constructed in 1917 and funded by Ohio industrialist Frank Stearns. It was used as a school until the early 1990's and today serves as the administrative headquarters for the Polk County School System.

The museum is located in downtown Columbus at 60 Walker Street. The program is Saturday, June 17th beginning at 10:30am. There is no charge to attend the presentation.


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May
9
2:00 PM14:00

may programs

TWO  PCHA  PROGRAMS  PLANNED  FOR  MAY 

The Polk County Historical Association is sponsoring not one but two educational programs during the month of May. The first presentation is scheduled on May 9th at 2pm inside the Womack Building in downtown Columbus. It will be a continuation or part two of PCHA's program on the Black Schools of Polk County.

The schools discussed will be Cobb, Green Creek and Melvin Hill. Part of the discussion will be on the topic of Rosenwald Schools and what they were? A special video presentation by Alphia Little Wills and Mae Carolyn Jackson will be part of the program. There will be an in-person presentation by Lucille Staley Smith during the program.

The educational program will begin at 2pm in the Womack Building at 40 Courthouse Street on May 9th. The public is encouraged to attend.

The second program will be held on May 23rd also at 2pm. The topic will be the 1957 state champion basketball team from Embury School in Tryon. Embury High was a school for African Americans in the Eastside Community.

This presentation will also be held inside the Womack Building at 2pm in the second floor courtroom. Both programs are free of charge and residents are encouraged to attend.


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Mar
30
to Mar 31

TOUR OF GREEN RIVER PLANTATION

  • 60 Walker Street Columbus, NC, 28722 (map)
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The Polk County Historical Association is pleased to announce two exciting tours of one of Polk County's oldest private residences, the Green River Plantation House. The home and property is located in the northeast corner of the county and the oldest portion of the house was constructed around 1807.

If you are someone interested in history or better yet older homes this is a "must see" tour. The guided tours will be led by family member Amanda Cantrell and historian Rebecca Pace. The home features over 42 rooms and spaces with an overall structure of that is in excess of 10,000 square feet.  The plantation house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

The tours are planned for March 30th and April 13th. In addition to having a tour of the house, lunch will be served. A portion of the proceeds will be contributed to the Polk County Historical Association treasury. The cost of the tour and lunch will be $50 per person. The lunch will begin at 11:30 am with the tour following.

"We are excited to have Amanda and Rebecca leading our tours of the historic home," said Becky Hudson, PCHA Vice President. "They are the two people who know the most about the historic structure. It is a great way to learn some of our rich local history and enjoy a delicious lunch."

Tickets sales for either tour are on sale now. Interested participants should stop by the Polk County Historical Museum on 60 Walker Street on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 1pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm to purchase tickets with cash or check. Both tours are limited to 40 participants. 

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Mar
14
2:00 PM14:00

Growing up in Green Creek

  • 60 Walker Street Columbus, NC, 28722 (map)
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GROWING  UP  IN  GREEN  CREEK  TOPIC  FOR  THE  PCHA  MARCH  PROGRAM

This month's history presentation is another in the series of growing up in Polk County. The March program will feature what it was like to grow up in the Green Creek Community. Participants Millie Woodward, Dot York and Imogene Burns will share what life was like in Polk County's most eastern community.

The speakers will talk about attending and graduating from Green Creek School. Prior to 1960 there were six high schools in the county. This March 14h program will feature stories about the student life and learning at Green Creek High School. 

This activity will be held inside the Polk County Historical Museum in downtown Columbus. It is located at 60 Walker Street. The public is invited and there is no cost to attend. The March 14th presentation will begin at 2pm.

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Nov
10
2:00 PM14:00

Field trip to green river plantation

  • 60 Walker Street Columbus, NC, 28722 (map)
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The Polk County Historical Association's program for November is on the road. On Thursday, November 10th at 2pm there will be a special program held at the Green River Plantation gatehouse. The topic of the program is the history of the plantation house and grounds.

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Although it is located in Polk County the Green River Plantation house is located at 6333 Cox Road, Rutherfordton, NC. The program will start promptly at 2pm inside the gatehouse. There is no cost to attend but space is limited to around 100 participants.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn about one of Polk County's oldest private residences.

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Nov
5
10:00 AM10:00

Special ART program

  • 60 Walker Street Columbus, NC, 28722 (map)
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On Saturday, November 5th at 10 am folks can learn about art displayed at the Polk County History Museum in Columbus. The Polk County Historical Association possesses one of the best collections in the Carolinas of works by historic local artists, and by professionals who visited and painted scenes of the county.

Mike McCue, volunteer art advisor at PCHA and author of several publications about local historic artists, will show and tell what’s on exhibit, and discuss the lives of people who created the artworks. The high quality of much of the museum’s art was a result of the area’s fine climate and scenery, which attracted professional artists from near and far. In the early 1900s there was even an “atelier” that trained artists, run by George Aid who had studied in France.

Other famous county residents were Homer Ellertson who had trained in New York, painter Elisabeth Oliver who had been curator at the High Museum in Atlanta, and locally-born painter Fred Reich who trained in Cincinnati. Lawrence Mazzanovich, long-time Tryon resident, is considered the most important American Impressionist oil-painter ever to have lived in the South. Numerous other first-rate artists lived here, came to stay for a while or returned seasonally to paint, creating an artists colony of national importance.

Program attendees are cordially invited to bring along any old artworks they possess that depict scenes in Polk County or its people. McCue will advise whether further research is needed, or determine on the spot the identity of the artist. There’s no charge for his counsel, and no charge to attend. The formal program will last one hour, and informal dialogue will continue until noon.

The History Museum is located in downtown Columbus at 60 Walker Street.


Photo Caption: This illustration of the original St Luke's Hospital on Carolina Drive in Tryon was created by artist George Aid (circa 1928). Aid and numerous other local artists will be the topic of the November 5th program at the Polk County Historical Museum.

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Sep
13
2:00 PM14:00

Growing up in Mill Spring School

  • 60 Walker Street Columbus, NC, 28722 (map)
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GROWING UP IN THE MILL SPRING SCHOOL TOPIC OF PCHA SEPTEMBER PROGRAM

(Photo)

The PCHA program for September 13th will feature a guest panel of folks who attended Mill Spring School. Those former students plan to share stories about their classmates, teachers and what their childhood was like during those years. Panelists will be from both the Mill Spring and Pea Ridge communities. Scheduled speakers are Judy Arledge, Norma Jean Bowyer, Ray Hudson and Rachel Ramsey.

Life in the 1940, 50's and 60's was much different than we see today. Come learn about growing up in rural Polk County. The program will cover how school was different and share information about their families. Mill Spring School housed grades 1 through 12 until 1960 when Polk Central High School opened. After that time the school provided schooling up to the 8th grade. This dynamic panel should present both an interesting and entertaining presentation.

The program will be Tuesday, September 13th at 2pm inside the Polk County Historical Museum. The museum is located in downtown Columbus at 60 Walker Street. The program is free of charge and the public is encouraged to attend.

Photo Caption: This is a class picture of Mrs S.T. Fagan's 4th and 5th grade class at Mill Spring School in 1960.

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Aug
16
2:00 PM14:00

Forgotten communities of Polk

  • 60 Walker Street Columbus, NC, 28722 (map)
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The Polk County Historical Association's August meeting should be an interesting program on the lost communities in Polk County. At one time there were over 30 small communities that have disappeared. Names like Fishtop, Walker, Stearns, Passion and Chocolate are just a few examples of these forgotten communities.

At the August 16th meeting we will learn where these communities were located, how they got their name and what became of them. Many were rural post offices and during the presentation select stories will be shared about these long lost places. The program will begin at 2pm inside the Polk County Museum located at 60 Walker Street in Columbus.

Different individuals will be sharing information about these forgotten communities. Local historian Phyllis Martin will give the history of Collinsville. PCHA volunteers Becky Hudson, and Pat McCool will discuss many of the Polk County lost communities. We also hope that the audience will contribute. Please bring your old pictures or memorabilia of these lost towns

There is no cost to attend the monthly Historical Association programs. The public is encouraged to attend.

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Jun
14
2:00 PM14:00

Day by day-the diary of Odd Nansen prisoner of the Nazis in WW2

  • 60 Walker Street Columbus, NC, 28722 (map)
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    Hailed by The New Yorker as “among the most compelling documents to come out of the war,” From Day to Day is a World War II concentration camp diary—one of only a handful ever translated into English—secretly written by Odd Nansen, a Norwegian. Arrested in January 1942, Nansen, son of polar explorer and humanitarian Fridtjof Nansen (Nobel Peace Prize, 1922), was held captive in various Nazi camps in Norway and Germany. This inspiring diary brilliantly illuminates Nansen’s daily struggle, not only to survive, but to preserve his sanity and maintain his humanity.  After having been out of print for over 60 years, Timothy Boyce rescued the diary from oblivion after reading the memoir of another Holocaust survivor, whose life, as a 10 year-old boy, was saved by Nansen while both were prisoners in Sachsenhausen.

    Through selected readings, Tim will explain who Nansen was, why he was arrested, why he wrote the diary, how he preserved it, and why this diary is as important today as it was when first written. 

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May
21
10:00 AM10:00

Van tour of white oak ,Mountain and vicinity -tickets NOW ON SALE AT MUSEUM

  • 60 Walker Street Columbus, NC, 28722 (map)
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Back by popular demand, The Polk County Historical Association is sponsoring another White Oak Mountain Tour, to be held May 21, 2022. Tickets may be purchased now at The Historical Museum, Tuesday & Thursday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Then on Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Tickets are $50.00 per ticket must be paid for by cash or check, no plastic. Tickets will remain on sale until we have sold all seats on all 4 vans. You must come to the museum to buy a ticket or tickets, sorry can’t take reservations by phone. We will have a van that will transport those people who have difficulty walking for long distances or difficulty getting in & out of vans. We don’t encourage folks who have major handicaps to take this tour as there will be a good bit of walking on un level grounds. We will meet at the museum Saturday, May 21 at 9:00 am & hope to be on our way by 9:30, with plans to end the tour & be back at the museum around 4:00 pm. Please bring your own sandwich & we will furnish water & cookies. Wear comfortable shoes & dress according to the weather. It usually is 8 to 10 degrees cooler on the mountain, but warms up as the day goes on. In case of heavy steady rain, the tour will be called off & a decision will be made at that time as to how to proceed.
Four vans with guides will be leaving the museum at 9:30, going straight to the White Oak Mountain entrance & traveling up the mountain, passing & pausing briefly at the Shunkawauken Falls. On up to the brow, to enjoy those views, then on to the Narrows, to view the remains of the vacation home of Florrie Adams, & her dear friend, Grace Coolidge, wife of President Calvin Coolidge, who was a guest there many times. Susan Story Speight, author of White Oak Mountain, North Carolina, will be waiting to greet us & start our historical tour with her vast knowledge of White Oak Mountain. After enjoying the views there, we will travel down to the White House, which is now yellow & the oldest house on the mountain, circa 1890, After touring the main house & guest house, we will go across the road to the pavilion for lunch & bathroom break. Susan will give remarks there & the good news is we have been invited to come tour she & her husband, Charlie’s home & also the sight of the old Skyuka Hotel. After leaving the pavilion, we will travel to Slick Rock, which was so popular on our last tour. The home was built around a chimney & is known as the The House That Otto Built. More information will be given on sight. Leaving there, we will stop in the area of Sunset Rock & Shaky Rock, the views are just spectacular from either rock. There is a story to be told here, & it will be told.

Leaving there, we will travel down the mountain to Susan & Charlie’s home for a visit & a tour of their home, then go across the road to the site of the Old Skyuka Hotel. After expressing our many thanks to Susan & Charlie, we will bid them a good day & head for home (the museum).
If you have any questions you may call the Historical Museum (828) 894 3351, or Frances McCain (828) 551 3706.

--

Pat McCool

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May
10
2:00 PM14:00

The Blackwell and Russell Families

On Tuesday May 10th the Polk County Historical Association is pleased to offer a 2pm program on the history of the Blackwell and Russell families migration to Polk County. Both family groups settled in the Polk County area very early on. The Blackwells arrived in the early 1850's while the Russell family moved here in the 1860's.

The story of the two families is based on the research done for a manuscript titled "Pass It On -- Russell and Blackwell" by Dexter O. McCarter. The manuscript is about the families of Charles Otis Russell and Mattie Sue Blackwell who wed in Polk County February 19, 1913. The story has several twists and turns. The writings follow two toddler-aged Blackwell brothers who migrated to Polk County with their mother in the 1850s so her parents, Grandma and Grandpa Turner, could help raise the boys after their father died in 1851.

The Russell family line by marriage includes the Rowe, Huntsinger, Gault, Toney, Thompson and Price families. The Blackwell family line by marriage includes the Horton, Turner, Owens, Melton, McAbee and Whitesides families. In other words, they are related to many who reside in Polk County.

The May program will be held inside the Polk County Museum at 2pm. It is located on 60 Walker Street in downtown Columbus. The public is invited to attend and there is no fee to attend the presentation.

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Jan
11
2:00 PM14:00

Game wardens in Polk County

  • 60 Walker Street Columbus, NC, 28722 (map)
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PCHA JANUARY PROGRAM FEATURES GAME WARDENS IN POLK COUNTY


Wildlife and game hunting has been an important part of life in the history of Polk County. Whether we go back to days when the Cherokee roamed our mountains or the entry of European settlers into the Appalachian region, wild game has been a critical food source for humans.


On Tuesday, January 11th the Polk County Historical Association will sponsor a program on Game Wardens in Polk County. The presentation will feature two speakers, Frances Pack McCain, daughter of long time game warden Arthur Pack and current game warden Toby Jenkins of the NC Wildlife Commission. The program will start inside the Polk County Historical Museum at 2pm.


The beginning of the talk will discuss fishing and hunting in the early days of wildlife management including a few colorful stories. McCain remembers her father's work as the Wildlife Protector with the NC Dept of Conservation and Development beginning in 1941. Arthur Pack served in Polk County and a few nearby counties for 34 years.


Wildlife Officer Toby Jenkins will give an idea of how the role of the game warden has changed. He will present a Powerpoint on the local wildlife scene and will give participants an opportunity to ask any questions about wildlife in the Polk County area. According to McCain, she is hopeful people will come with lots of questions about deer, black bears and any other pressing wildlife concerns.


All PCHA programs are free to the public. The museum is located at 60 Walker Street in downtown Columbus. It will start at 2pm on January 11th.

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