Waldensian Heritage Museum celebrates 50th anniversary on Sept. 21

Childrens’ activities will include balloon artists, face painting, and a "Where’s Waldo" scavenger hunt, complete with prizes.

The museum’s gift shop will be open and will feature new items especially for the 50th anniversary celebration. A genealogy specialist will also be on site to assist families with researching their Waldensian roots.

In 1893, population pressures forced many Waldenses to leave their homeland in the Cottian Alps of northern Italy. A group of 29 people journeyed to North Carolina and founded the town of Valdese, preparing the way for hundreds more Waldensian settlers who later moved to Burke County.

Costner explained that the group joined with the local Presbyterian congregation and eventually formed the Waldensian Presbyterian Church, which in turn, founded the museum.

“There were so few of them (Waldensians) and they did not speak English, they had no church connection, and no other Waldensians anywhere near,” Costner said. “The Presbytery was closely aligned as far as the church structure, and they reached out to help (the settlers), so it was a good fit.”

In the 1940s, church members organized the first Waldensian museum in a room off the sanctuary, but by the '70s, the collection was expanding so quickly church leaders decided to put together historical and building committees to plan for a permanent museum home.

“They chose this spot on Rodoret Street and Saint Germaine Avenue where the church manse once stood,” Costner explained.

The original museum, built in 1974, doubled in size to 12,000 square feet about 18 years ago. The Waldensian Heritage Museum features many artifacts of early settler life including photographs, clothing, crafts, toys, household items, church furnishings, farm implements, carpentry tools, books, wine making equipment, and a quilt depicting scenes of Waldensian history.

Today, visitors can watch a film before they tour the attractive display areas.

“The movie is about 20 minutes long and it tells the history, in short form, from about 1100 to 1893, when the settlers came to Valdese,” Costner said. The film also highlights local attractions such as the outdoor drama “From This Day Forward,” the annual production that tells the story of the Waldensian people.

According to Costner, the museum’s timeline room tells the Waldenses’ story through a large wall display and plenty of artifacts. The lower level of the museum contains exhibits detailing Waldensian industries, such as the group’s famous bakery and winery.

Visitors who believe they have Waldensian heritage are invited to use the museum’s library, photo albums and computer system to research their roots.

The Waldensian Heritage Museum is open for tours Tuesday through Friday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and on Saturdays from 1-4 p.m., with the exception of Sept. 21. During the anniversary celebration, the museum will open from 3-6 p.m.

For more information, call the museum at 828-874-1111 or check out the organization’s website at waldensianheritagemuseum.com. The museum is at 208 Rodoret St. S., in Valdese.