From its commanding view above Morganton, has shaped local history for more than 140 years. Now, the stories of its doctors, nurses, and patients are coming alive in a new museum inside the Avery Building.
The collection, curated by staff and volunteers, includes historic documents, antique medical equipment, nursing school artifacts, and even patient art dating back more than a century. There’s also a “pica cabinet” of unusual items once ingested by patients — a startling but fascinating glimpse into the past.
Hospital leaders say the museum isn’t just about history. It’s a chance to reduce stigma, honor those who came before, and connect the community to Broughton’s continuing mission of care.
Discover more in Saturday’s edition of The Paper, including:
The Collection: Historic records, medical instruments, staff photos, and patient-created art.
The Stories: From the colony system of self-sufficiency to the evolution of mental health treatment.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.