3 Ways to Explore the History of Madison County
Published June 25, 2021
Madison County is steeped in a rich history that persists still today. From humble beginnings in agriculture, navigating the hardships of the American Civil War to developing a new genre of music! Madison County has something for every kind of historian and below are a few of our favorite ways to explore the History of Madison County, North Carolina.
Listen to Live Music
Madison County is home to a number of venues that host live musical performances every week! Traditionally, Madison County is known for its rich musical heritage of mountain music, ballads, folk and bluegrass. This kind of music can be found in every corner of Madison County and will take you back to a simpler time.
Bluegrass pioneer, Bobby Hicks, leads a fantastic Bluegrass Jam frequently at Zuma Coffee in Downtown Marshall. Be sure to check out the Zuma Coffee website to find out their live performance schedule.
Rural Heritage Museum
The Rural Heritage Museum in Mars Hill hosts a number of amazing exhibits that showcase the history of Appalachia. The ever changing exhibits always provide a fascinating glimpse into the past of western North Carolina and the rural life in these mountains.
For more information about the Rural Heritage Museum or to plan your visit check out our link below.
Historic Barn Tours
Madison County has nearly 10,000 Appalachian-style barns, some of which are available for the public to explore and admire. Enjoy a self-guided barn tour or sign up for a fascinating barn tour hosted by the Appalachian Barn Alliance where you can learn about the history of some the barns and the families that helped shape Madison County.
Barn tours are a great way to get up close to these beautiful architectural feats and learn about their interesting construction as well as their history.
