Special Projects and Exhibits

Happy Birthday Andrew Jackson
        (a living history celebration)

On Saturday, March 18, 2006,  the Museum will celebrate the birthday of President Andrew Jackson

with a living history day.  This will be the eighth year that we have conducted this event and this year it will be bigger than ever!  A number of historical re-enactors and demonstrators will be on hand to give presentations to the public. Author Billy Kennedy will be here all the way from Ireland to lecture and sign copies of his newest book, 'Our Most Priceless Heritage'.  Local Bluegrass/Celtic band 'Huckleberry Jam' will be performing throughout the day.   Admission to the Museum and the event will be FREE for everyone and, of course, we'll have free birthday cake for Andrew and his guests. The Museum normally has at least two living history events each year, this Birthday Celebration in mid-March and a Fall Living History Day in October.  We strive to obtain the services of a wide range of historical demonstrators so that visitors can gain an understanding of a cross-section of historical time periods and conditions.  We strive for historical accuracy while maintaining an element of fun.  Please be sure to check out our events page for the most up to date
information about events at the Museum.  Also remember that most living history demonstrations are available for group tours.  If you have a group that is interested in learning about the past through the expertise of one of our living history interpreters please contact the Museum.  We will gladly arrange a tour for you.   We hope to see you at Andrew Jackson's  birthday party at the Museum of the Waxhaws in March 2006!

Andrew Jackson Secrest Cabin Project


  This is the Andrew Jackson Secrest Cabin.  Mr. Secrest was not related to President Jackson although the Secrest family were friends of the Jackson's.  The cabin was brought to the Museum of the Waxhaws in 1997 from Monroe, NC by the Secrest family and it is in the process of being restored.  The photograph above represents the cabin as it looked when it was brought to the museum.  The cabin was probably built between 1830-1850 and it is an excellent example of early nineteenth-century craftsmanship.
    As you can see by the photograph, however, the Andrew Jackson Secrest Cabin needs a lot of restoration.  Since the time of this photograph a new roof has been placed on the cabin, the foundation has been stabilized, some rotted logs have been replaced and some of the weatherboard siding has been put up. We would like to complete the restoration of the cabin and use it for living history demonstrations and education for patrons and groups that come to the museum.  However, a lot more work must be done in order for us to meet this goal.
    We need your help!  If you can provide us with any information or a financial contribution toward making the restoration of the Andrew Jackson Secrest Cabin a reality please let us know.  Help us preserve an important piece of our region's history!

Contact us at:  Museum of the Waxhaws and Andrew Jackson Memorial
                      PO Box 7
                      Waxhaw, NC 28173
                      (704) 843-1832

MUSEUM PLANTS HISTORIC TREE

On August 29, 1999 we planted a young tree taken from the Andrew Jackson Southern Magnolia that was planted by President Jackson at the White House during his presidency.  Jackson planted the Southern Magnolia in honor of his wife Rachel, who had died before he took office.

We are proud to have this historic offspring planted on our grounds and we hope to help preserve the tradition that our native son, Andrew Jackson, began.

The tree has a protective greenhouse tube surrounding it making it difficult to see.  This tube will protect the young tree for its first year as it grows.  As a result of the greenhouse tube, we are unable to publish a true photograph of the tree here.  Please come by the museum to keep track of the progress of our historic tree!

There will be photographs in the future...we promise!

Monument and Tree Dedication

On March 31 2001 we hosted the Daughters of American Colonists tree and monument dedication ceremony.  This was a project of Waxhaw native Gladys McCain Kerr, the State Regent for the D.A.C., as a way to honor the Scots Irish immigrants who, starting in the mid-18th century, settled the Waxhaw region.  About 90 people were on hand.

Museum could use your help in hunt for artifacts.

The Museum of the Waxhaws is asking for your help in acquiring new artifacts.  Anything that pertains to our local churches, Native Americans of the area, Howie Mine, the old Waxhaw Train Depot, and slavery in the Waxhaw region, will be greatly appreciated.  If you have anything pertaining to these topics that you would be willing to loan or donate please call or e-mail the museum.  Your help in getting these new materials is greatly appreciated.