Calendar of Events
In addition to our own signature events, the Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation is pleased to partner with the Banner Elk Book Exchange to offer our supporters even more heritage events. This partnership takes shape in the form of lectures which link the past with the present and even glimpse the future. Selected listings included below. We encourage you to explore the Banner Elk Book Exchange on your own, located in the Historic Banner Elk School. Please visit their website, BannerElkBookExchange.com for directions, details and a full listing of their events.
Partner Organization Event: Kevin Hining, NC Wildlife Commission
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
7:00pm at the Banner Elk Book Exchange
Lecture: “Co-existing with black bears and coyotes”
Opening Day Event with Children’s Day Activities
Saturday, June 16, 2018
11:00am-3:00pm
The lawn of the Banner House Museum will be buzzing with activity! Children can participate in heritage crafts, games and other activities. Inside the Banner House, enjoy open-house style Museum tours. Activities and Tours are free that day as a gift to the public from the Foundation, though donations are greatly appreciated.
We suggest bringing a folding chair and comfortable shoes.
NEW THIS SEASON! Guided Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Banner Elk
Offered by limited appointment availability
$10 per adult/$7 per adult for current Patrons
Previously an annual event, we are pleased to offer this tour more frequently. Walk along the path of history as you learn about some of Banner Elk’s most prominent historic buildings, their roles in the community and the business they house today. You will be surprised what you’ll learn! For reservations or more information, please call 828.898.3634 during Museum hours or email us anytime!
The tour will be approximately 1 mile of walking including stairs and uneven terrain. We suggest wearing comfortable walking shoes. You may also want to sun protection or an umbrella.
Partner Organization Event: Allen Cook
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
7:00pm at the Banner Elk Book Exchange
Author Talk: Moonshine, Murder and Mountaineers
Partner Organization Event: Independence Day Parade
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Crowds gather on the sidewalks of Main Street and Shawneehaw Avenue (by the Banner Elk stoplight) up to an hour in advance of the starting time. Bring your family and be ready to cheer on your favorite floats and enjoy an old-fashioned Fourth of July Parade. We’ll even be participating ourselves—see you there! The parade is sponsored by our friends at the Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce, as is the “Party in the Park” afterwards at Tate-Evans Park.
We suggest bringing a folding chair and comfortable shoes!
Independence Day-Free Tours!
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Special hours: 12 Noon-3:00pm
Celebrate freedom with free admission! The Museum will open at noon after the Banner Elk Town Parade and we welcome visitors to tour the Museum for free as our gift to the community.
Partner Organization Event: Michael Joslin
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
7:00pm at the Banner Elk Book Exchange
Lecture: “Lees-McRae, Past and Present”
THE MUSEUM WILL BE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 18 FOR OUR HERITAGE LUNCHEON
Heritage Luncheon at Elk River Club
Wednesday, July 18, 2018 (Updated Date!)
A signature event for the Foundation, an elegant and entertaining luncheon at the Elk River Club. Keynote speaker, ASU Professor Karl Campbell, will lecture on North Carolina and WWI: how our state and its citizens dealt with the “Great War” one hundred years ago. Traditionally an invitation event, please contact the Foundation to be added to the invitation list.
We suggest purchasing your tickets early and encouraging your friends to do the same so that we may accommodate table arrangement requests.
Partner Organization Event: D.C. Smith
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
7:00pm at the Banner Elk Book Exchange
Lecture: “Hickory Nut Gap area history and stories” Note: This lecture is designed to compliment the Heritage Bus Tour on August 4; we suggest attending both!
Heritage Bus Tour: Hidden Stories of Hickory Nut Gap Road
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Tours depart on the half hour: 10:00 am to 12:00 Noon. The Museum will open at 9:30 this morning.
You may have ventured up this winding mountain road a time or two, but we feel certain you don’t know the hidden history of Hickory Nut Gap Road! Back at the Museum, docents will welcome guests to an open-house. Bus Tour reservations are strongly suggested. After July 25, we are happy to take reservations over the phone during office hours: 828-898-3634 Wed-Sat 11-3. Current 2018 Patrons may make earlier reservations beginning July 18. Please check-in at the departure point no later than 15 minutes prior to boarding time. A final call for reservations will be given 5 minutes prior to boarding time. If you are not present 5 minutes prior to boarding, waitlisted people and walk-ins will be allowed on the bus in the order that they signed up. Waitlisted people and walk-ins are advised to also check-in 15 minutes prior to boarding. Thanks to Lees-McRae, who provides our buses, there is no charge for the tour but donations are suggested and gratefully accepted.
Partner Organization Event: Michael Hardy
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
7:00pm at the Banner Elk Book Exchange
Author Talk: Kirk’s Civil War Raids Along the Blue Ridge
Partner Organization Event: Jane Stephenson
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
7:00pm at the Banner Elk Book Exchange
Lecture: “Changing Lives in Appalachia: New Opportunity School for Women”
Partner Organization Event: Allen and Janet Speer
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
7:00pm at the Banner Elk Book Exchange
Dramatization: “Fractured Republic: The Civil War in the NC Quaker Belt”
Partner Organization Event: Karl Campbell
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
7:00pm at the Banner Elk Book Exchange
Lecture: “Stark Raving Mad: Contemporary Politics in Historical Perspective”
Partner Organization Event: Doug Hundley
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
7:00pm at the Banner Elk Book Exchange
Lecture: “Heritage Apples”
Closing Day
Saturday, October 6
11:00am-3:00pm
Stroll through the Banner House Museum one last time with open-house style tours and say goodbye to summer on the Banner House lawn with heritage children’s activities. Activities and tours are free to the public as a gift from the Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation. Donations are greatly appreciated.
We suggest wearing comfortable shoes and bringing a folding chair.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please call 828.898.3634 during Museum hours or email us anytime!
